Why nobody uses McIntosh with Vandersteen?

My brother has a Mac and Vandy system. Sounds pretty good to me.

It may have to do with the brand mix that retailers tend to cary. The Vandy dealer near me also sells Audio Reseach. That is their choice for a ultimate high end system, so allot of people end up getting this match. A good match it is, imo. I don't own Vandys (but would if i could own them all) , but would not want anything other than Audio Research.

Funny u mention Mac and S-Faber (Sumiko)- those have become Magnolia Hi-Fi brands that are mainly sold to yo-yos who took out giant home mortgages and went shopping for the most expensive thing at the local mall down the street. Not really the best sounding, but non the less, two brands that get hooked up allot.

Antonkk : I find your remark, “nobody recommends Vandy’s for Mac and vice versa,” somewhat exaggerated and, quite frankly, uninformed. You make this statement as if it were an axiom, which it isn’t. I, for one, own Vandy’s 3A Signatures powered by a MC 7270, a Cary tube pre-amp, coupled by Purist wires. To me, in my room (35X25) it sounds glorious. Is there a bit of a bloom? Certainly, but then again I happen to be partial to such a bloom as opposed to the sharp, direct-attack, forward, in-your-face presentation that some ss amps can generate. It’s actually a matter of preference and fortunately we have many manufacturers out there who can cater to our varied preferences. To me, my Vandy/McIntosh set-up gives me a music hall type presentation emulating an almost live forum with correct layering, placement, soundstage and articulation which, with the type of music I most often listen to, is non-fatiguing and most enjoyable.

Over the years I have personally spoken with Mr. Vandersteen on two occasions and he was aware of the fact that I was using a MC 7270 and if it is an issue of his speakers not mating well with McIntosh he certainly kept it to himself and never mentioned it to me. Given his reputation, I would have thought that if he was concerned he would have taken the liberty of mentioning it or at least hinted that my set-up was not optimal, something he never did.

My dream and goal is to obtain a MC-402. Having heard this amp with the 3A’s in a show-room, I came away impressed, filled with goose bumps and convinced that, for me, this would be my dream combination. So, while you may think that “nobody” recommends Vandy’s and McIntosh this “somebody” certainly does.

Interestingly enough I had a pair of ancient modified MC-60's driving my Vandersteen 2C's in the early 90's and this comboover the Threshold S200 ss amp it replaced. Musically involving and never wanting, forgiving? yes, so what it didn't matter because I found that I wasn't wanting for more. Although it wasn't perfect it was quite satisfying. I lived with this combination for several years until I moved and had a different issue with the room which I couldn't resolve with any combo. A different room made the difference but it was to late, by that time the Vandy's were long gone.

I couldn't agree with G917 more, it most certainly is a matter of preference. I see no reason why this combo wouldn't work with a given personal preference.

A dealer in my area used to sell Vandy's and McIntosh and they sounded great together