I have listened to many systems in the last few years thanks to an obsession I have developed for audio equipment (and being an electronics engineer is part of it). Just a few months ago I was in Texas for business and went to Marvin's electronics in Ft. Worth and auditioned at length a Proceed setup and a Mcintosh setup. The Proceed was the HPA3 and AVP preamp. The Mc was the MC352 and C42 preamp. They were both playing on Paradigm Reference 100 speakers (which I own). The Mcintosh was clearer and more full than the Proceed; it was so "musically ethereal" and just seemed effortless (perhaps the more power) that I listened for 20 minutes as if in a trance. The store assistant manager was auditining them for me and he agreed (as does the store owner who owns all Mc gear) that Mc is just better and more reliable. Proceed's reliability has been questioned by friends of mine who used to own their equip (cd player especially). I will say however that Proceed's sound quality was not THAT much poorer than Mc's. I used to not be a Mcintosh man (some family members are and one has used the same amp and pre for 25 years with NO problems!) but after auditioning many systems (business trips are good for that) I feel Mc is very underestimated among some audiophile circles, possibly due to Mc's humble marketing campaign (they don't need one obviously - they know what they are capable of).
I now own the Mc352 and C712 and LOVE them. I think they just look fantastic and the sound...! Timeless.
Unlike "Perfectimage" I listened to both of these and I can tell you with no heresay, I liked the McIntosh best - check both out and see for yourself.
Arthur
I now own the Mc352 and C712 and LOVE them. I think they just look fantastic and the sound...! Timeless.
Unlike "Perfectimage" I listened to both of these and I can tell you with no heresay, I liked the McIntosh best - check both out and see for yourself.
Arthur