Which solid state power house: Naim NAP 500DR or McIntosh MC611?


All else equal, which would you buy?
jeredh

Showing 5 responses by jeredh

I'm upgrading entire system. Speakers: I'm leaning towards Focal Sopra 3, Scala V2 or EgglestonWorks Vigniti.  I've ruled out Wilson and Sonus, and haven't listened to KEF. 

Preamp: will surely be same brand as power. If McIntosh, then C2600 with the MC611.  I like the C2600 b/c of DAC/Phono/Headphone stages. If I decide on Naim power, then will pair it with Naim preamp.  

Sources are vinyl and streaming.  I have a Pro-Ject Debut Carbon turntable that will get upgraded down the road.  I haven't picked a streamer yet. 

Cables - will be buying these. I have a pair of TaraLabs speaker cables, but willing to upgrade. Would prefer to run XLR between preamp and amp. 

Power conditioner - need one. 

Guessing you'll ask what my budget is. I don't really have one, but am willing to dump $75k+/-. 

I've joined Audiogon and am posting here because I've gotten lost reading reviews, and am ready to invest in a great system.  I listen to hard rock, rock, jazz and a lot of electronic.  45 years old, and I have a dedicated listening room that I just finished renovating. Here's the room:  https://imgur.com/gallery/Upznc5D

Thanks for the input.
Jered
At this point, $75k for the major pieces of equipment seems reasonable based on my interests and what I've discovered over the last couple months. This would include speakers, amp, preamp, DAC, streamer.  This is a loose budget and can be flexible.   Last weekend I flew to NYC and visited 4 stores, and listened to a good bit of equipment. It's so damn subjective and not an easy process. I feel I have a good room, and am ready to pick equipment and start the install, and then room treatments.  I'm trying to not get impatient.
Thanks caphill - this is good information and certainly pushes the needle towards Naim. Pricing is a slap in the face. Console space is another consideration, and the number of Naim components is something I need to address if I go with this choice.   

I listened to Wilson Sabrina (Simaudio powered) and Sasha (McIntosh powered) and they were not for me. I feel their resin enclosures kill too much of the low end. Listened to Sonus (Audio Research power) and they lack the aggressive punch I enjoy.  Yes, personal tastes vary from one to the next. I  have a lot of thinking left to do, and appreciate the input!
Naim 500DR with a Naim n272/555 streamer. These feed a pair of Focal Scala V2.  Purchased them from another audiogon user and I am really happy.  Last week I  added my first phase of room treatments (Vicoustic Flexiwave).  So far, so good!
I’ve owned system less than a year. I enjoy listening, and it’s been a fun experience thus far. It’s a big system that I’ve stuffed into a not-so-big room, and I knew going in that I had my work cut out to get things sounding good.  Room is 19x17x8 with challenges, and I’m slowly working my way through them.  Laid dedicated 20A circuit and new ground for the home, then replaced 4 hollow core doors along rear wall with solid core MDF, and am just getting to room treatments. After this I’ll get proper racking, spike the speakers, and then can settle in with it.  

Naim powerhouse is everything I expected, and it has only gotten better with burn-in. It’s sound is so accurate, clean, and pure. I will sing Naim praise forever just based on the 500DR alone. The n272 has been interesting. It’s pairing with the 500 raises a brow for many, and I would upgrade if I stuck with the Naim for future purchases.  I did add the 555 and it brought undeniable improvements to the n272. 

The Scala V2s. These beasts are the sound I was wanting. Both the wife & I fell in love with Sopra 3 at demos in NYC. The kid inside me wanted this big stage, and I’ll have fun with them for years to come,  but in the end, I imagine I’ve bitten off more than I can chew. Wish I had access to more hi-if speakers to demo at home. Time will tell!