new amp on 805s??? how is the mcintosh mc207?

[pony927]

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need to get a new amp. have bw 805s as main, bw705s as rears, and bw htm4 as center. have the linn undisk sc as processer/cd/dvd...i need to get a new amp and lookinf for opinion on the mcintosh 206...can get it for 3k..thought was a better route instead of getting arcam p1000 or rotel rmb1077 or bryston 9bsst...any thoughts? also, may need to replace my velodyne spl1000, and was thinking of getting the linn sizmik...is this sub blow away my velodyne? can get this for 900...please help!!!!

[jim777]

I heard the McIntosh MC207 with a 700-series 5.1 setup. It is a great amp and it should blend well with Linn (They are my favorite brands, so they should have compatible sound). I didn't hear the MC206, but I guess it should be close to the same thing. IMO you just can't go wrong with mac.

If you don't use all 7 channels, I guess you could also bi-amp your main speakers.

What kind of sound are you looking for??

[pony927]

looking for crisp clean sound, lots of detail, sound imaging/staging

[jim777]

Mac sound is detailed but very natural/musical (and maybe a bit softer than Linn). Some brands might give you perception of more detail, but macs priority is that natural effortless sound that is detailed but never causes fatigue. It also performs very well with (poorly made) recordings that would sound harsh on other systems.

If "crisp" and "detail" are your top priorities, then you might prefer other brands though. I love the mac sound, but it may not be your cup of tea. Maybe go listen to just any mac, even in stereo only, to give yourself an idea of their sound

[Gump]

Is there a reason (other than the money) that you're not considering a Linn amp? My salesman is a huge Linn fan and is pushing me towards the SC with the Chakra amps (3200 + a 2100).

I find the Linn sound a bit bright in the high frequency range but he says that's just their talent for detail. I said then there's too much detail and he just laughs at me.

At any rate, I'm also considering the MC 207 to drive my 803D's + center/surrounds but its quite expensive.

[pony927]

I Didnt Like The Chakra 5100 With The Linn Unidisc. Actually Liked A Rotel I Demo'd With The Unidisc On The 805s. Im Actually Gonna Get The Mc206 I Think For The Same Amnt As The Chakra And I Know The Mac Sounds Better Than The Chakra.