I've heard the Mac stuff with at the Legacy showroom and it sounded good. Bill likes the Mac very much. He uses their multiamped piece with the Helix and stereo amps with Whisper and Focus. I've not heard the Bryston with Legacy but think it would sound good as the Legacy speakers like solid state. I use Krell at my home. You might also check out Coda amps as this is one of the main amps the speakers are designed with. |
I've tried Bryston amps with the bigger Legacies and thought the overall sound was rather bright and edgy in the upper mids. Now using a Mac MC-402 SS. This seems like a match made in heaven for the Legacies. IMO. |
11-14-11: Sgr
I've heard the Mac stuff with at the Legacy showroom and it sounded good. Bill likes the Mac very much. He uses their multiamped piece with the Helix and stereo amps with Whisper and Focus. I've not heard the Bryston with Legacy but think it would sound good as the Legacy speakers like solid state. I use Krell at my home. You might also check out Coda amps as this is one of the main amps the speakers are designed with.
Sgr, thank you for your response. You have an amazing system and room! I think Doug Schroder was referring to your pair of Helix when I spoke to him about setup issues with my pair of Whisper XDs.
Unfortunately, since I am located in Asia & have no option to try the Coda amps in my system. But I'm have a serious look at the Coda 15.0 Class A amp 150w in 8 ohms, which may be good for my Whispers XDs. Only issue is that I keep reading opinions that Legacy speakers like a LOT of power to open up.
I am going to try the Bryston 7B SST monos and hopefully a Mac soon. Will update this post with the results.
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11-15-11: Mr_m
I've tried Bryston amps with the bigger Legacies and thought the overall sound was rather bright and edgy in the upper mids. Now using a Mac MC-402 SS. This seems like a match made in heaven for the Legacies. IMO.
@Mr_M, thanks for your response. Which Legacy speaker do you use with the Mac 402? I am most interested in the Mac 452, but wonder if it will drive my Whisper XDs to its fullest potential. What is your pre-amp?
Does the Mac give you a warmer, richer midrange compared to the Brystons? Thanks... |
Karsajid, I don't recall if we've conversed on email - there are too many monikers to recall - but if not you're welcome to contact me.
I have used/reviewed Jeff Rowland, VAC, Cambridge Audio, Monarchy Audio, Pathos, and Coda among others with Legacy speakers.
With the mid'highs for the Whisper DSW I enjoy the Pathos Classic One MkIII; I am using a single Cambridge Audio Azur 840W on the bass. It is possible for you consider a different amp for the Mid vs. High level inputs to the speakers. It will take some playing with the options, and you can adjust the filters to your liking. The active x-over system is quite involved and will take much longer to achieve perfection to your ear than a regular speaker. However, the potential vastly outstrips a speaker with passive x-over. :)
Finally, if you want sweeter, warmer midrange seriously consider the Pathos, as it has one of the most beguiling midrange presentations I've heard from any of the amps I've used - that's why it's on my Mids with the DSW.
However, if you have not worked with the gain/filters of the XD for your current amps you may wish to do so prior to seeking new amps. I can discuss with you about that.
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Hello Doug. Nice to hear from you. We did converse at length over email about setting up the Whispers, and your advise and experience is always valuable to me.
In the last few days I have tried the Bryston 7B SST and the Pass Labs XA100.5 with quite different results. I have also used the Ayon Triton tube amp.
It seems to me that the Whispers let the different characteristics of the amps come thru quite clearly.
I am going to try a McIntosh amp very soon and will hopefully soon come to a conclusion about which amp to buy.
Will keep this post updated for those who are interested in knowing about amp synergy with their Legacy speakers. |
I have finally ordered the Coda 15.0 Class A amp for my Whisper XD. Does any one here have a similar setup? Coda with Legacy speakers? |
Sgr now runs Codas with his Helixes, and it sounds very good. Maybe he'll chime in.
John |
Hey John,
Yes it is true I love my Coda amps and CP preamp. I'm running two CX amps and one CSX amp to quad amp my Legacy Helix. Bill Duddleston uses Coda amps to voice all his speakers. I've had Mark Levinson 436s, Krell KSA 250s, Acoustat TNTs, Haflers, and several others in my system. None have amazed me like the Codas have.
If I were to upgrade amps I'd look to Coda again and purchase 3 of the 15.0s.
I think you'll have a great sounding, dependable amp and system for years.
Let us know how you like the 15.s.
Steve
(sgr) |
For Bryston at least audition/go for the 7BSST2 or 14BSST2. Those are their best amps outside of the 28BSST2 monos. |
I have used both Bryston and Mc and preferred the MC352 on my Focus SE.
The best of all was the Ayon until I tried Meitner MTR 101 Monos.
I am now running them on my Whisper XDs.
They run about 9 hrs a day and I never turn them off.
Just waiting for a new pair of the Meitners with the upgrade as well as a Coda 15.0 and CP.
I'll keep you posted.
When setting the Whisper XDs its money well spent to bring in the Pros from Legacy to tune them with the Xilica. |
Cool, I wonder how a Class A Pass Labs amp would sound with those Legacy's. |
"In the last few days I have tried the Bryston 7B SST and the Pass Labs XA100.5 with quite different results. I have also used the Ayon Triton tube amp"
It would be very interesting to hear how they compared. |
I'm with Hasse. And was there a clear winner? |
Dave just listening to the Coda 15.0/CP combo now and all I can say is wow!!!!
The Meitners are on the shelf.
Bad recordings are revealed quickly though.
Doug Dale builds one of the best SS amps on the market.
The sound is very magical ......tube like!! |
A SST amp is wonderful with the Focus.
I dont care for Bryston pre SST models |
SThomas what would you base that statement on? |
Hi Tobb, that's cool. I'm happy to hear that. Good listening to you. |
