Benchmark or McIntosh....


Brain says two Benchmark ABH2 as monoblocks. Heart says Mc because meters and more power. A little background info:

Mixed-use theater/listening room. More listening versus movies. Primary source is a Hifi Rose RS150B into an Anthem AVM 70 pre/pro. Current amplifier is a Wadia A315 at 150x2. Speakers are NHT M6 monitors (a 6 ohm/ 250w sealed speaker, which is exceedingly rare and why I still have them.) I have seven 21" subwoofers so it is fairly equivalent to a live concert when everything is fired up but I need a little more oomph from the monitors.

I was set on a pair ABH2s earlier this week, but I keep getting drawn back to McIntosh - primarily monos MC601 MC611 MC1201 etc...

Do I pick Mc with more power (will probably be a second-hand model due to availability/wait times/budget etc) or so I go for the Benchmark with superior SNR (pre/pro is 110db and Hifi Rose is 117db)

TIA for any real-world feedback!

128x128shoup1cobra

Room and components are still indicative of home theater. When you try to do both in one room, compromises will be made. And you have obviously compromised music for movies. No problem with that as long as you are ok with it.

I never owned Mac's or Benchmarks. It seems to me that the whole purpose of this room is for home theater.. Wouldn't the meters from the Mac's be a distraction while watching a movie...

I never owned Mac's or Benchmarks. It seems to me that the whole purpose of this room is for home theater.. Wouldn't the meters from the Mac's be a distraction while watching a movie...

75 percent music/ 25 percent movies.  But everything in this game is a compromise. Nothing wrong with some hybrid action. 

For a system geared more towards music, I would choose different speakers, electronics and speaker placement. But at least you are a good sport about all this.