current and ex-Sonus faber & McIntosh integrated amp (combo) owners - question for you

I would strongly suggest going for the autoformers one. Search and you will see a lot of negtive feedback on MA352. MA8950 is another ball game. you won’t regret.

@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? 

@nathandfwacoustics 

I have auditioned the MA 8950, which I liked; I went the separate route, though, with a pair of MC611s and C2700. I like the power that the 611s convey. If I had to do it over again, I would have gone with the MA12000 for simplicity. 

If you are deciding between the 8950 and 9500, I would go with the higher power. To my liking (maybe not yours), I have noticed an increase in the "body" of music presented as you move up the Mac line with additional power. 

The 8950 is a good match with the Amator III.  Those speakers need clean power and you'll see that with most content played at generous volumes the meter barely hits 20 watts.