Mcintosh MC-2205, Bryston 4B-ST, or Marsh a400

AintJoM0mma · « **on:** 8 Sep 2004, 10:37 pm »

Hey. I have $1000 to spend on an amplifier. Im running 2 Definitive Technology BP7004's which are pretty efficient, rated at 91Db. Ive heard about Mcintosh and Definitive being magic together but I would like to explore my other options. Im looking for a very musical sound but I also want a lot of punch, dynamics, and control. All the amps are rated from 200 watts per channel to 250 watts per channel. My room is small, about 12' x 12'. If I get Mcintosh, I will get a Mcintosh preamp. If I go Marsh I will get a Marsh preamp. If I go Bryston, I will get a Bryston preamp. Let me know what will suite my tastes the best.

Thanks!

Marbles · « **Reply #1 on:** 8 Sep 2004, 11:33 pm »

While the above are good, you might also want to look at Odyssey amps (and pre-amps)

They have a forum here.

Levi · « **Reply #2 on:** 9 Sep 2004, 12:15 am »

Quote from: AintJoM0mma

Hey. I have $1000 to spend on an amplifier. Im running 2 Definitive Technology BP7004's which are pretty efficient, rated at 91Db. Ive heard about Mcintosh and Definitive being magic together but I would like to explore my other options. Im looking for a very musical sound but I also want a lot of punch, dynamics, and control. All the amps are rated from 200 watts per channel to 250 watts per channel. My room is small, about 12' x 12'. If I get Mcintosh, I will get a Mcintosh preamp. If I go Marsh I will ge ...

I would suggest you audition a Manley Stingray for your application.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #3 on:** 9 Sep 2004, 12:30 am »

AJM,

zybar · « **Reply #4 on:** 9 Sep 2004, 12:35 am »

A used Sunfire will also fit your requirements and budget.

While the Stingray is very nice, it isn't going to give you punch, dynamics, and control. It will give you texture, nueance, and a realness to the music.

George

Zero · « **Reply #5 on:** 9 Sep 2004, 02:38 am »

For Def Tech speakers - I'd think anything above and beyond YAMAHA would be over-kill.

In all seriousness, your best bet will be to mix and match. Marsh together will give you incredible transparency, speed, accuracy, control, detail, and dynamics (am I missing an adjective??).... but it wont give you the warmth and draw of tubes.

The Mac will give you a lot, but the particular model you are looking at may not give you the punch and speed your looking for. Think of it as a super Jolida.. ?

Get a good solid state amp - get a tube pre - and be done with it.

edit: Gentlemen, it may best suit your interest to know your dealing with a 13 (soon to be 14) year old boy who for now, enjoys old rock (Led Zepp, AC/DC, et all) and more modern rock bands (Weezer). Like most kids, he wants to jam out, so power is a big thing here.

AintJoM0mma · « **Reply #6 on:** 9 Sep 2004, 02:43 am »

How's Marsh a400 + Quicksilver sound? I really thought the mcintosh was cool though, and conservativley rated at 200WPC, that would pack quite a bit of punch. And I think it would be a MASSIVE improvement over my jolida. Mcintosh amp\pre or Marsh something.....Or this, http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstran&1098096615

warnerwh · « **Reply #7 on:** 9 Sep 2004, 02:45 am »

After using a Marsh A400 with an ARC pre I'd have to recommend that. Outstanding detail and very smooth. The Marsh pre is supposed to be excellent.

Eric · « **Reply #8 on:** 9 Sep 2004, 02:27 pm »

I have a Bryston 4BSST and highly recommend it. It is smoother than the old ST series and yet still neutral and highly detailed. The warranty is killer and it has current and power to spare

Levi · « **Reply #9 on:** 9 Sep 2004, 06:15 pm »

You add a little more on your $1000 budget and I will sell you my James Marsh designed Monster MPA 3250SS 3-Channel 250watt amplifier

Note: 3 large toroids for muscle. Works like 3 separate amplifier in one box.

AintJoM0mma · « **Reply #10 on:** 9 Sep 2004, 06:59 pm »

sorry 1 grand is the limit. Looks like a very nice amp though!

AintJoM0mma · « **Reply #11 on:** 11 Sep 2004, 12:27 am »

OK I definatley know im going marsh now, what kind of preamp should I get to balance out that really clean sound, I know I should get a tubed one, but by which company. Audio Research? Quicksilver?

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #12 on:** 11 Sep 2004, 03:39 am »

Quote from: AintJoM0mma

OK I definatley know im going marsh now, what kind of preamp should I get to balance out that really clean sound, I know I should get a tubed one, but by which company. Audio Research? Quicksilver?

How 'bout this one.... http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=12657

AintJoM0mma · « **Reply #13 on:** 11 Sep 2004, 04:17 am »

nah, ill either go Quicksilver, Ming Da, or Audio Research.

doug s. · « **Reply #14 on:** 11 Sep 2004, 03:16 pm »

Quote from: AintJoM0mma

nah, ill either go Quicksilver, Ming Da, or Audio Research.

if ya have a simple system & don't need remote, i strongly urge ya to get the $450 dodd audio preamp, which is a simplified iteration of the melos sha-gold preamp. an amazing preamp. or, get a used melos sha-1 or sha-3, which is melos' own simplified iteration, w/built-in headfone amp.

btw, i would also second the earlier recommendation for the manley stingray. used, they can be found for close to your budget. and, w/the size of yer room, & the efficiency of yer speakers, it will be more than enuff, even in triode mode. i heard one ina 14wx22lx10h room driving a pair of 86db-efficient proac 1sc's in triode, & it was more than enuff power...

along the lines of the stingray, also look for a mesa tigris integrated. or any similarly priced integrated from jolida, antique sound labs, radii audio, ming da, etc...