Electrocompaniet AW300M or AW800M versus McIntosh 1.25KW?

Yes it wasn’t even close. Eye opening. 

100% if you are replacing McIntosh. 

Went with the AW800M to replace the McIntosh Gear. In the end it wasn’t even close. If you are contemplating a change it's worth having a listen tot the Electrocompaniet Gear if you can find it.

MSB Reference DAC

MSB Digital Director 

Aurender W20

PMC Fenestria

cables Inakustik Silver and Siltech silver 

I was using McIntosh C12000 Preamp into MC1.25KW amps. Prefer the MSB direct into the amps so haven’t used the preamp for some time. 

@usherzaleg 

What is in the rest is the your rig?

Yes he did for sure.  One thing I like about the AW800M is the versatility. I like that they can be used in Mono and can be biwired to my speakers or biamped to them based on how you use the speaker terminals on the back. The more I listen to the AW300M’s the more I am enjoying them. Always dangerous home auditioning in your room with your equipment. We shall see what kind of price he comes back at me with after he takes them back…..  They are indeed very impressive as you stated. 

Did the dealer explain to you that the AW800m can also be used as a stereo power amp, and that the AW300m's are effectively a mono block version of the the AW800 when in stereo power amp configuration.

I am currently trying some AW180m's and I'm so impressed by them that after speaking to the dealer and doing some research I have ordered some AW400m's.

Yes I plan on listening to them over the weekend. I didn’t mean they were forward and in my face. Just not as laid back as my current amps. Kinda like current amps are somewhat veiled compared to the electrocompaniet. Will give it another day on to see how they sound after running for a full 24 hours. 

If the sound is in your face, you will definitely tire of them quickly.   I would try out the smaller amp with your system to see over a couple of days, you really like it. 

yes I agree. I think the McIntosh sound is more laid back for sure.

One thing to keep in mind if the sound is more in your face will you find it fatiguing? I've never heard Electrocompaniet described as fatiguing but also not as forward but perhaps that's just in comparison to Mac which is a laid back sound.

Yes thanks. Very different. Sound is more in your face. It seems more detailed and more three dimensional than my Mc’s. Detailed and the bass is faster and more evident. The MC1.25’s seem more laid back with a shallower sound stage. Very weird. 

The only experience I have with Electrocompaniet is yours and. if I recall correctly, yours seems to be quite favorable. That's good enough for me!

Check review measurements to see which ones make stated power, if it matters to you.