McIntosh or Bryston amps for Legacy Speakers

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.

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.

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.