2. amps-preamps
  3. 1227326266

Pass, Bryston, Audio Research, or McIntosh?

I have been auditioning speakers and think I am settled on buying Magnepans--either the 3.6 or 20.1. Wife and budget will help me decide. I currently have an Audio Research 100.2 which I like, but I expect I will need to get a beefier amp than only 100 into 8 and 200 into 4 ohms. I like buying used and have heard good things about the Pass 250 or 350 x.5. I have also read that Magnepans are often demoed with Brystons which speaks well of the combination--am looking at the sst models. I like audio research and am a bit intrigued by the hybrid HD220 as this will get me 400 wpc into 4 ohms and may provide some tube sound (a good thing for Maggies by most accounts). Lastly, I have no experience with McIntosh, but many seem to like them. Am going to stick with solid state for now. My current pre/pro is an older unit--an EAD Classic Signature which I have had modded by Noble Electronics. It is a sweet sounding dac tho it does not decode SACD or DVD audio. I may eventually go to an Audio Research tube preamp, but my budget will only allow so much for the time being. Any thoughts as to which direction I should go for amps? Room is about 17 x 23 with 10 foot ceilings and an opening along one side wall into another similar sized room.

Thanks.
luvwine
luvwine OP
44 posts
 
Seems like there is little consensus. Yes, Tpsully, if I decide to go with the 3.6, I will probably not have a huge need to upgrade amps immediately. The 20.1 is a different matter....Naturally, I would rather have the 20.1. I am guessing that I will end up with the 20.1, but may have to wait a bit longer to get comfortable with the $$

Appreciate the comments. Keep em coming!

Best,
elevick
2,638 posts
 
There's a 500 wpc mac for sale on Pittsburgh's craigslist. It is for real. The sellor is honest. He is selling that, a c33 pre and mac speakers for $4400. The amp alone is worth $2500 minimum. Check it out. I'll help locally if you need.
cajunpepe
255 posts
 
i have heard mc402 with the MG20's and it was pretty nice. The 501's will give you a little more ummpphh and they are the same price as a Pass 350.5--$11k. you can also move up the chain to the mc1201's. they are seen here sometimes used for about $9995.00. Mac repair if needed is readily available in most areas.
Just my opinion.
Pepe
dbarger
215 posts
 
Do not sell your 100.2 until you compare it with those other amps you are considering. I have owned a couple of them, a Pass X250 (not .5), and two McIntosh 402's. I found the Pass a bit bland, but loved the Mac's. I do currently have a 100.2 and a Ref 110. I think if you go to the other amps you will miss the immediacy of the 100.2. The Mc402 is the smoothest of the bunch, but a bit laid back compared to the 100.2. The 100.2 has a bit of grain compared to the Ref110 or Mc402, but it's immediacy is addicting. It needs to be on over an hour to really sound it's best, as you know, but it is very good at that point. I think it may be hotter than my tube amp, so I assume it has a pretty hight class A bias. I have not heard the Brystons.
luvwine OP
44 posts
 
DBarger,

Interesting. Do you bi amp your 100.2 and the reference 110? Are you a Magnepan owner? I have considered trying to get another 100.2 and bi amping, but I also figured it might be better to just get a "higher end" amp as I expected that the HD220 from ARC would be better than the older (lowly) 100.2 and that especially on the 20.1's, the power of something like the Bryston 7Bsst might be the best bet as a "one amp" solution (not sure I want to jump to trying to tie in a tube and a solid state amp right away, if ever). One possible strategy I have considered is just to buy two or three amps and then sell the one(s) I like least.

Thanks again for your thoughts. It will probably be another week or two before I make a decision on speakers and probably is silly to order an amp (or more than one!) before I know for sure which speakers are going to arrive....
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