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


All else equal, which would you buy?
jeredh
This business about system synergy is distressing to me. There are amplifiers that can drive anything including a dead short and there are amplifiers that are limited to easy loads. This all depends on the speakers. If you have speakers that are an easy load and you like the sound of a fragile amplifier wonderful. Everything else just depends on what you like sonically and aesthetically. It has nothing to do with synergy. If you are trying to compensate for a deficiency in one piece with an exaggeration in another you are putting yourself farther behind the 8 ball. Sometimes you have to compromise because of financial considerations. Most of us have to do that to some degree. But compromise as little as possible. Just because a piece of equipment is cheap does not mean it is the right piece to buy. Both amps you are talking about I would not buy under any circumstance. There are many better amps to be had. Patience is a virtue. 
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!
My counsel (unasked for, I know) is , after you've got it sorted properly, is to set it and forget it and just buy/enjoy the music. The Talmud says "the wise man is the contented man". You've certainly got a system that should be able to deliver the goods. Congratulations.
Post removed