2. amps-preamps
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Mac's BAD MATCH for 802D's?

I have recently purchased B&W 802D's to go with my Mac C46 pre-amp and MC352 power amp.

A very respected dealer in my area (who has been helpful to me in the past) insists that Mac is about the worst possible match for the 802's and swears I would feel "like a veil was lifted" if I instead switched to Classe, Ayre (I do have an Ayre cd player, which I love), Mark Levinson or Boulder Amp. I should note that he does not carry some of these brands so he wasn't just trying to "sell" me. I have to admit that although my system sounds very good, it's not as "open" sounding (transparent, or whatever the right audiophile adjective might be).

If anyone aware of an engineering reasons the Mac might not be as great a match to the 802's as other equipment might be?

Any thoughts on what might be the optimal AMP combination (in a $6,000- $11,000 range) match for 802's
tomehunt
brianmgrarcom
1,317 posts
 
I used a Classe CA2200/CP500 combo, Musical Fidelity kW500 integrated, McIntosh MA2275 and a McIntosh MC402/C46 combo with 802D's and the Mac gear performed the best of all. That said, I wouldn't say it was stellar, I suspect the aforemention 501's would be better.

BTW, use the 4 ohm taps on your MC352 if you are not already doing so.
mmitch7711
72 posts
 
I used to own the MC-501, C-2200 and the B&W 802D, and the 501's worked perfect with the 802D, I don't understand where this dealer is coming from, the 501's pushed the 802D with no problem, bear in mind I used the 4ohm taps
aball
2,016 posts
 
The best imaging I have ever heard so far was with MC501, C46, and 802D speakers. Your dealer is entitled to his own opinions and you can have yours. You don't have to agree with everything he says.

Arthur
tomehunt OP
2 posts
 
Thanks all for your input. By the way, what is the difference betwen running things at 4ohms vs. 8ohms?
bobschneider
27 posts
 
The output taps on Mac amps (like the MC352) with output transformers adjust the output stage for the best impedence match with the speakers. It shouldn't hurt anything to try your speakers on each of the taps, and see which sounds best.

BTW, I just got an MC352 from Audio Classics last week, and love it. I'm using it to drive Martin Logan Ascents.
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