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Benchmark or McIntosh....

Brain says two Benchmark ABH2 as monoblocks. Heart says Mc because meters and more power. A little background info:

Mixed-use theater/listening room. More listening versus movies. Primary source is a Hifi Rose RS150B into an Anthem AVM 70 pre/pro. Current amplifier is a Wadia A315 at 150x2. Speakers are NHT M6 monitors (a 6 ohm/ 250w sealed speaker, which is exceedingly rare and why I still have them.) I have seven 21" subwoofers so it is fairly equivalent to a live concert when everything is fired up but I need a little more oomph from the monitors.

I was set on a pair ABH2s earlier this week, but I keep getting drawn back to McIntosh - primarily monos MC601 MC611 MC1201 etc...

Do I pick Mc with more power (will probably be a second-hand model due to availability/wait times/budget etc) or so I go for the Benchmark with superior SNR (pre/pro is 110db and Hifi Rose is 117db)

TIA for any real-world feedback!

128x128shoup1cobra
shoup1cobra's avatar
shoup1cobra OP
59 posts
 

@ozzy62 thanks for your feedback.  You missed the part where I said that picture is from AGES ago.  Everything has been switched over to Power Sound Audio subs. You should not so hastily write off the 21. Very musical.  Will measure flat up past 1000-2000hz, not that one would normally cross over that high,  but it shows the capability and background of the driver. I guess I'll go update the pic. 

shoup1cobra's avatar
shoup1cobra OP
59 posts
 

That pic was so outdated that the only component remaining is the CD player and the Salamander stand. 

hifidream's avatar
hifidream
134 posts
 

Love my Benchmark amps, they are vertically bi-amped to my 20.1 Maggie’s and play concert levels in my home with crazy lifelike detail. I only have 4 subs but it sounds wonderful. I don’t think you could go wrong with Benchmark. . . 
 

- Steve

ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62
3,130 posts
 

Room and components are still indicative of home theater. When you try to do both in one room, compromises will be made. And you have obviously compromised music for movies. No problem with that as long as you are ok with it.

gumbedamit
109 posts
 

I never owned Mac's or Benchmarks. It seems to me that the whole purpose of this room is for home theater.. Wouldn't the meters from the Mac's be a distraction while watching a movie...

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