McCormack 225 vs AR 135 SD


I'm looking for a power amplifier for my Proac 140 MK2.
The pre is an Aesthetix Calypso.

I have found at about the same price the McCormack 225 and the Audio Research 135 SD (both used).

I heard both but in different stores, so comparison is very difficult.

The 135 was playing with an Electrocompaniet pro and Sonus Faber Cremona M speakers. It sounded a little lean in the bass and maybe was not enough powerful for these speakers.

I liked more the sound of the 225 but in this case the pre was an old (tube) AR and I can't remember what the speakers was but definitely cheaper than the Sonus Fabers.

I can't undestand if I liked more the 225, or the whle setup including the tube pre.

Any comments please on these two amplifiers?
kiriak
McCormack is a great product w excellent support from SMcAudio even for "legacy" products.
Zd542, I assume you are asking me what speakers I used for my comparison. I had Salk SoundScape 10s. They have Accuton midranges and RAAL ribbon tweeters.

Bob
After more listening I settled with the McCormack.
The match with the Proac and the Aesthetix is very good and I'm very happy with how the system sounds now.

Thanks again for your response.