[machsw]

Hi, Folks. I was wondering if someone in the CIRCLE try this combo. I have a pair of LRS+ drove by an old MC2155, and the combination is superb, but my old friend get tired yesterday (left channel out) and needs a replacement, so mc312 may be a good replacement.
I saw a post from miatadan in this circle asking for the same combination, but he never finish the thread saying if actually go with that combination in his new home´s livingroom.
Thanks in advance for your comments.

[audiobliss]

It depends on your room size and how loud you intend to play the 1.7i. Going from LRS to 1.7i is a big jump,  they will need more room. At moderate levels  the 312 should be fine.

[machsw]

I don’t ha a a dedicated room. My living room is 23 x 20 feet. Always hear max 85 db in symphonies and orchestral works and 80 dB max in jazz. Also hear pop and rock but max 85

[mr_bill]

You have a beautiful living room!

[I.Greyhound Fan]

Yes, the MC312 should work well.  It is 300wpc and is 2ohm stable and it has 2.4 dB of dynamic headroom.  Your room is certainly big enough.  Dont make the mistake that I made with Maggies.  My room is 17x17' and I was looking at the 3.6's but thought my room was not big enough for them and I went with the 1.6's and dual subs.  I have great regret not going with the 3.6.

Maggies like high power but more importantly, high current and high capacitance.   In reality, you only use about 10 to 15 watts with the 1.6's and I suspect the 1.7 are the same.  Where the power comes in is in dynamic passages and thats where the current and capacitance comes into play.  I use to drive mine with a Parasound A21 which was 450wpc and then I upgraded to a Pass X250 which has more current and capacitance and 500wpc.  The Pass was way more dynamic and could just unleash its power faster with more oomph.

My point is that MC312 should be able to do the same given its specs.

I love your room by the way. If you do not already use subs, consider dual sealed subs and servo subs are even better.  They really make a huge difference in depth of sound stage and dynamics.

Sorry for rambling on.

[machsw]

Thank you. I always thought that I will not able to get good working a pair of subs… I already afraid of. By now have to stay with my Chinese 300b tube amp until my mc2155 come from the technician and earn the money for mc312

[I.Greyhound Fan]

Don't be afraid of integrating subs.  It is not that hard.  If you do go the sub route, you want a sealed or non-ported sub, better yet a servo controlled sub like a Rythmik.  I also prefer subs where the low pass filter goes lower that 40db as that about where the bottom of the 1.7's' bass response goes.  Many of the HT subs only cross over at 40db.  The issue that many people have with subs if they have no experience with them is they set them too loud and set the Xover point wrong and then you get boomy sound.  However, once  dialed in with Maggies and I guess all speakers is that you will be rewarded with more depth, wider soundstage and better sound.

By the way, I looked up the weight of that Mac Int amp, it is 148 pounds.  Sheesh.  I thought my Pass amp was bad at 105.

[danvillesignal]

You might take a look at some of the possibilities that Hollis Audio Labs and Danville Signal has been doing with both the LRS, LRS+ and 1.7i. This includes integrating subwoofers.
Check out the Hollis Audio Labs circle.

In my view, open baffle style subwoofers work best with Maggies. They tend to load the room the same way.

While I have no quarrel with the McIntosh amplifier, improved EQ and good subwoofer integration will have a much bigger impact on the performance of your system.  We have been demoing Maggies at Axpona and CAF for the last several shows to prove this point.

Regards,

Al Clark
Danville Signal

[johnto]

Not sure if that amp has an autoformer but when I was amp shopping I was told by the folks at McIntosh that they did not mate well with Maggie’s,

[I.Greyhound Fan]

Not sure if that amp has an autoformer but when I was amp shopping I was told by the folks at McIntosh that they did not mate well with Maggie’s,

I am not sure why.  I saw Mac amps with Maggies at Axpona a few years ago.  That amp is robust and has a huge power supply.  It weighs in at 148 pounds and is stable down to 2 ohms.  It should be able to drive even the most difficult speakers.

[BikeFi10]

Not really an answer to your question, but if your looking to change amps my 1.7i s are driven by an Odyssey Kismet. About 160 wpc, but high current and provides more than enough spl.

Not sure if your photo is distorted, but looks like speakers are very far apart and thats alot of glass for reflection. How is the soundstage and echo with that set up? Just curious.

[machsw]

Hi,
1. I just bought a pair of mono odyssey stratos extreme fron a guy in Ontario
2. Soundstage is faboluous, open, and despite all the glass in my living room; the frequency response is almost flat from the point of hearing and have an RT of 45

I think it is because they are dipoles.

[BikeFi10]

What a coincidance to go with Odyssey and mono blocks, yes!
How would you compare them the Macintosh?

Good for you with room eq. My system didnt do well in my 22x32x 16 peak room with many windows and hardwood floor. Much better in 20x30x8 room with minimal and draped glass.

[simon wagstaff]

Interesting. I wasn't going to post but I recently got a pair of Kismet monoblocks with Klaus's latest and greatest to drive my 2.7Xs. Great frequency extension, dynamics, and soundstage. Catches my full attention. Just get a little warm when I push them. Happy camper.