Mcintosh sound

Dilly, Thanks for your comments, as Bongofury has said also. I AM IN FOR THE LONG RUN and as I was listening to the Classe/ARC/Apogee combo yesterday it reminded me that when I don't analize and hear for difficenties how enjoyable it is to listen. I am looking for a bit warmer sound but with control as well and Mac sure seems to be leading the way. At this point I think I'd be looking to either an MA6300 or MA6500 but I'd like to get one already broken in (if possibile). The Apogees nominal at 6 ohms and I do listen at lower levels and with the guts of Mac I think I'd be fine. Mac still leads the search then.

I've a new MC402 power amp, biggest audio "investment" I ever made ... yes, its powerful, neutral and musical, drives my Maggies (MG1.6) with ease, even with a passive preamp.
One of the perks is that no dealer where I live now tries to tell me that I need to upgrade my amp!

I had a Krell FPB-200 before this, found it powerful, with good bass slam (though not to the level of the older KSA series) ... but ultimately, not involving enough.

RSJM

You will find that the 6300 is a tad warmer than the 7000 and will be a good choice if that is the desired sound. It offers 100 watts which should power most speakers with ease. The only other product I have heard that has a similar sonic footprint is the Shindo Montille amp which requires extremely efficient speakers like DeVores. All in all, you will be impressed.

I had the 6300 and the AX7e side by side with the devore super 8 and Totem Forests. They are both good amps but I went with the Ayre because it has better clarity, soundstage, presence and rythym. It's also very quiet.

If you want SS I would look at the current Luxman, but not the cheap one, or take a look at the Ayre if 60/120w would work for you. It seemed to have the same power as the mac at 100/160w.

Good Luck.