2. amps-preamps
  3. 158517-142512

100W, 200W, or 300W?

I'm pretty new to this and could use some help. Working down my list of upgrades: did speakers, room treatment on order... I think next up is to replace my amp.

I'm currently using a Harman Kardon PA2000 stereo amp that I had sitting in storage. 100 WPC @ 8 Ohm. It's "OK", but it probably the weak point in my system right now.

For speakers, I picked up B&W 805D3 tabletops with stands.

88 dbSPL sensitivity, 8 ohm. They recommend 50-120W @ Ohm for the amp power on their site.

I pulled up an amplifier calculator and plugged in some numbers:

88 sBSPL, 8 ft distance, 85 dB volume w 15 dB headroom and this came out to 3W RMS w 94W peak

I have my heart set on blue watt meters so I see the following options:

1) MA5300 @ 100 WPC, no autoformers, integrated
2) MA7200 @ 200 WPC, has autoformers, integrated
3) MC302 @ 300 WPC, has autorormers, seperates


For the MA5300, I'm concerned that there isn't enough headroom. If I even get close to the 94W peak, it means that I'm pushing the amp to the max, so I'd probably be operating in an area of reduced sonic performance since it's being stressed. Is this a correct assumption?

The MA7200 looks like it'll leave plenty of headroom and it also has (for better or worse) autoformers which seems to be what puts the "mac sound" in macs.

The MC302 is just sexy as heck... but is there any realistic gain with my current set up that I would get by buying one of these? Or is it so much overkill that I am just throwing money away at this point?
eisenb11
auxinput
2,920 posts
 
You started this discussion indicating you really wanted McIntosh.  That's fine, but keep in mind that McIntosh has a mild and laid back midrange type of sound.  Very pleasing to listen to on a high resolution speaker like B&W D3, but it's not going to be as exciting and dynamic as other amps.

The Luxman that I heard is definitely not laid back.  It is more of the fast high resolution and dynamic type of sound.  Luxman would not be a good pairing with speakers such as Focal or Wilson.  It can come across as being too thing/bright, but they should do very well on B&W.

I suppose it depends on what kind of sound you are after.
eisenb11 OP
33 posts
 
@auxinput wish there was someplace to do a real-life side-by-side. I have to admit that at least in the various Youtube and Instagram videos that the Luxman seems to pair with the 805D3s better than the Macs do... 

But, at least for me, online video is good to compare overall themes - but useless in understanding what the sound is really like.

For example, last night I watched a video of my speakers paired to a Mac playing a song that I've played often - and it sounded terrible. But that song sounds much better with my "meh" amp on the same speakers - Hence the nature of beast with online videos - a recording of questionable quality (the video) of the playing of another recording (the subject of the video) ultimately being played on a device of likely even lower quality (my iPad)... :)

taijiri
1 posts
 

These speakers crave power.  I have a set and would recommend no less than 150 watts if you really want them to sing.  Had a Halo A21 which worked well but sounded anemic compared to the Pass.  


ei001h
286 posts
 
You need to decide what type of sound you're after. You chose a highly resolving speaker and I assume you want an accurate representation without being overly romantic (highs rolled off). Luxman will give you that. Mac will also sound beautiful and will make anything sound pleasing to your ear. B&W with a diamond tweeter will need to be restrained and either Mac and Luxman will do. However, Mac will do it to a much higher degree. 

Also, I recommend you stay away from lesser known, smaller and obscure amp manufacturers. It is true, the more obscure highly specialized amps could give you something special, but at the same time they're harder to maintain and may become unfixable if the dealer loses support or if manufacturer goes out of business. That is one reason Mac retains its value throughout time. They are extremely reliable, and easily serviced. Luxman has a similar reputation. 

Where are you located? What brands do the dealers carry near you? By the way, you can always negotiate the price on a new amp. I usually get at least 15% off. You can do much much better on used equipment. 
asvjerry's avatar
asvjerry
4,610 posts
 
One can always take the stance that ’too much is Never enough....'

A pair of Crown PA amps, capable of running a kilowatt a side...

Into a floor to ceiling line arrays, anchored into both....

’Dropping the needle’ might break the windows, but Hey...

Nothing exceeds like excess...;)
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