SF Olympica llls

Also would consider rogue audio. Have a pair of sf and seems to be a very synergistic pairing.

To anounce that Mac amplification is slow and un-natural is really odd to me, Mac gear do need good cables to perforn at its best maybe your cables were not good enough , your sources or other components at your system were weak I don’t know... the last thing that I can said about my Mac pre/dac & power system that it slow or un-natural at the contrary it’s sharp,transparent and natural . I have no wish to change it at the near future.

Kenny - good thoughts to share. Which amps do you like that sound right but are affordable, say < 5k. Any?  Thanks

kalali,

I could give you my opinion between a fast or slow sounding amp,

The difference is gonna really show up for me in the sound of guitar strings especially acoustic guitar and also in the overall sound of the piano.A slower perceived amp such as a Mac,which I have owned several yrs ago,just don't sound natural to me with these instruments the sound just lags in comparison.
I grew up playing the piano and I know what kind of sound I'm looking for and without question a Mac won't get me there.

I listen to some other forms of classical music occasionally and any perceived slowness wouldn't be satisfying to my ears either.

Faster amps just sound more natural and realistic to me and this is a aspect I picked up many yrs ago.

I know there is a lot more technical details that I could talk about but I will just give you this short version, I hope it helps you.

Kenny.

Slow/fast amplifier is wrong definition, In MHO the correct term to use is transparent vs. blur amplification.

I am not sure that the MA5200 has enough power to drive the SF Olympica llls ,I agree that the MA6700 is really the minimum for this speakers or other pre/power options of Mac gear .
As a Mac proudly owner stuff I don’t agree with audiotroy comment ,Mac has powerful & musical amplification that can drive properly any speakers on earth.

Audio Classics is in Vestal NY, just down the road from Mc. Ryan Kilpatrick has all the answers. 8:30-5:00 M-F · 607-766-3501 x104  

effischer - I'm the neophyte; who is A-C and do you think they may be in the sw florida market?

all others - maybe the Mc MA2275 would be a good fit. 75 tube watts with balance controls and a rc? 

FWIW, you should definitely audition whatever you have an interest in and can arrange.  For me, for example, Hegel sounds harsh and is weak on features.    I'm not overly impressed with their build quality, especially for the $$$.

Still, a good friend has an H360 hooked up with a pair of Martin Logan EFX ESLs and a Velodyne sub.  Not my kind of rig (I'm a vinyl head), but the system sounds very good indeed.

Regardless, a good dealer will give you an opportunity to try stuff in your rig in your environment to see what the best solution might be.  A-C definitely does this, and others do too.  Shop around - that's half the fun!

Based on your last post you should just stick with the Mac and not worry about anything else.

Dave and Troy - I like what I have read about the Hegel and ECI integrated except neither appear to have a balance control and my favorite seat is not centered. What now?

I concur with audiotroy.  Mc to me means slow sounding.

Personally I agree but disagree. Yes the Mc will drive the speakers, we have enough experience over the years to know that Mc stuff is good, not great. 

You can get way better product than a Mcintosh.

Hegel is better, Electrocompaniet is way  better a EC 6DS is a fantastic sounding amplifier with a great dac/streamer and there are a ton of others. 

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ

No problem with the Mc; SF and Mc are both part of the WOM now and are mutually compatible.  McIntosh makes one of the most stable amplifier sections out there. You may also want to consider other Mc integrateds; your budget is such that you could consider a second hand unit with more power and features.  You can give the folks at Audio Classics a call to see what they might have available and you should also search here.  An older MA6700 could fit the bill nicely.

Good luck & happy listening!