I have an 8900 and really enjoy it. Ive not spent anytime with a direct coupled McIntosh amp so I can’t tell you how they compare. I find my 8900 to be very musical to my ears and plays the music I listen to most often extremely well (classic rock, jazz, alternative rock). Honestly I think it plays pretty much everything well. The 252 and 7200 would be a reasonable comparison to get an idea of what the differences are so I would go demo them both.
current and ex-Sonus faber & McIntosh integrated amp (combo) owners - question for you
Do you drive your sonus faber speakers with a steady-state integrated amp with autoformers or with the direct-coupled integrated amps?
I'd like to buy either the MA8950 or MA352 and while the specifications are available online, to compare, I don't really know what that entails in terms of sound quality :-)
I'd like to drive the Sonetto VIII G2 with them. My dealer has the MA252 and MA7200 to compare and drove the Sonetto III G2 with them. He doesn't have the other models. For my room, the larger speakers make sense and so I'd like to make an informed decision. I already placed the order for MA352 but I am doubting myself; I do have the option to cancel that and order the MA8950, though.
I know there are tons of arguments out there on autoformers vs direct-coupled but I really wanted to hear directly from the owners. Thank you.
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My Dad has a MA8950. It's an awesome Amp. Sounds great driving Sonus Electa Amator III from the 4 Ohm taps it barely gets warm. I ran his REL speaker level and it integrates seamlessly In the US the 7200 is the MAC 7200 and it's a receiver. I would go for the 8950, doubt you'd regret it. Benefits from the newer DA2 card, which is a very good sounding DAC
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@jastralfu @oddiofyl - thank you both! I think I'm leaning towards the 8950 right now :) |
I don’t know what your budget is but given the power handling range of the speakers you’re looking at you might consider the MA9500 @ 300 watts. It also has autoformers like the 8950. The 352 @ 320 watts @ 4 ohms might be a better match power wise if you can’t swing the 9500. I have no doubt the 8950 will drive those speakers well but matching or exceeding the max power range of your speaker is a good thing. |
@jastralfu - I hear you about the MA9500 @ 300 watts. $12K is within my budget BUT I am weary about spending so much without first seeing it or hearing it. I'm on the hunt for more dealers now and am awaiting some call-backs to see if they have the MA9500 in-stock for me to demo. It really seems to be a once-in-a-lifetime purchase. Even if I upgrade my speakers in the future, this powerhouse of a unit will light them up, I think. @fplopes - I've heard elsewhere that tube-amps and even hybrids, with tubes in the pre-amp section, give out a humming sound - which apparently, isn't a new thing! And people are OK with it :) So, I am sold on the autoformers, I think :) @oddiofyl MA8950 @200 watts for EA-III is a bit much, isn't it? The website recommends an amp in the 35-125W range. Or are you also saying what @jastralfu is saying - you have more meat up-front to drive your speakers -- the more power, the better ability of the speakers to drive --- music?
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