Help What Say You - Amp choices


I have been pulling my hair out the last few weeks listening to amps at different stores. My final three choices are the Rogue Audio M150, McIntosh MC352 (used from a friend) and the McCormack DNA-225. All are well built. No problem there. All presented a great warm sound. My dilemma is that I keep hearing about how tubes don't have the same weight, authority or control of bass as solid state. And I can't honestly say that I heard a difference going from stereo to monoblocks. Granted, I can't hear them all at the same time due to different audio stores, but I don't feel like the Rogues were lacking in the bass area, yet neither the McCormack or the McIntosh seemed overwhelmingly powerful in comparison to the Rogue. Any help, suggestions, medication (LOL) you can recommend is greatly appreciated.
hawk28

Showing 5 responses by hawk28

Dave, you make a good point. My situation is that I wish I could audition all three, in the same room on the same day under the same conditions. Unfortunately, I cannot. That said, I just wanted to hear some others experiences with these products. Thanks for responding, and yeah, medication will be in order at some point.
Thanks for the suggestions and responses. I do bring my own music, and I while I bring different selections with me, I always bring one of the same selections ALL THE TIME (Yellowjackets - Greenhouse). However, I have always listened to the full track before changing gear, so I'll have to change my method of listening. (Thanks Geifman) But like I said, a proper a/b comparison is virtually impossible because the Rogue and McIntosh amps are not sold in the same shop.

Regarding the sound, all three were very authoritative with the bass, with the McIntosh having a warm laid back sound, somewhat tube like. In some ways, I felt that the McCormack may have had a little more umph, but that may have been due to a difference in speakers. The McCormack did not sound laid back to me, but still did a great job with its presentation. I was thoroughly impressed with the Rogue because I was not prepared for the way in which it handled the bass. (So much for tubes not being able to do bass as well as SS) It never felt thin and it had great tone.

I have done all of my listening on the Focal 1027be and the Nola Viper Reference. Both great speakers with different sounds, but I like them both. I am however, leaning towards the Nolas if I can score a nice used pair; they list for $12,000, while my speaker budget is in the Focal neighborhood. And yes, the speakers are in two different shops as well, but the sound of the Nola's is magical to me. They were being driven by McIntosh monoblocks. Focals were being driven by the Rogue monoblocks and/or the McCormack.

I'm sure I'd be satisfied with all three amps as they all performed very well. Under the circumstances, its been tough for me to pick a clear cut favorite. However, I won't rush it, because I'll be keeping this system for a long time. Maybe its been so difficult for me because they are all just that good!!

It if matters, I already have a deposit on the Rogue Perseus preamp.
Wow Jeff, that's pretty shocking for the prices that they charge. Thanks for the heads up.
You might have something there. Tube Preamp, Solid State power amp, muscle and finess all at once, and a quality brand name (like McIntosh) to boot. Makes a lot of sense.
Sogood51, thanks for your insight. I guess that's what it is. Rogue offers a sought of solid state sound with the warmth and midrange of tubes. I guess I'm on the right track then to go through with my purchase of the tube preamp. Based on this info, I will make a decision between the McCormack and the McIntosh fairly soon. Thanks for the info.