Vote for McIntosh or Classe

[Aldo]

I will drive some B&W front speakers, I already have McIntosh (2) MC252 and (1) MC501 for sorrounds but for a fronts I'm not shure!

[misterdoggy]

What about Mark Levinsons here ?

Also what about Krell. Problem is McIntosh and Class are more affordable, but I think Mark Levinson has the sweetest sound........

[Aldo]

What about Mark Levinsons here ?

Also what about Krell. Problem is McIntosh and Class are more affordable, but I think Mark Levinson has the sweetest sound........

I knew you would say that... :B
I get a good discount on both brands, fo Mark not a 1% and the Mexico Krell dealer is the worst you can imagine!

[johan]

Is there something wrong with your Krell-amp? I doubt you will find anything better than that, just different.

Regards Johan.

[misterdoggy]

Is there something wrong with your Krell-amp? I doubt you will find anything better than that, just different.

Regards Johan.

I'm with Johan there. Stepping to anything other than the McIntosh 1201 is a step down from what you got. I know that beast and it has a sound that is hard to beat.

I have a Swiss friend driving a pair of 800D's with 1201's and a HTM1D with the 501 and he is very happy. Having switched from a Krell 400CX. I asked him if he heard much of a diference, which he said was hard to say, he just preferred the look of the McIntosh 1201's.

Don't trade that 700CX for anything less than a 1201.

[sikoniko]

I'm with Johan there. Stepping to anything other than the McIntosh 1201 is a step down from what you got. I know that beast and it has a sound that is hard to beat.

I have a Swiss friend driving a pair of 800D's with 1201's and a HTM1D with the 501 and he is very happy. Having switched from a Krell 400CX. I asked him if he heard much of a diference, which he said was hard to say, he just preferred the look of the McIntosh 1201's.

Don't trade that 700CX for anything less than a 1201.

or a pair of CA-M400's!

[RebelMan]

Aldo, why not two MC501s for your mains? Though I am biased towards Classe' I have heard the best McIntosh system ever put together and given that you already have McIntosh gear for your surrounds I would recommend staying within the same brand unless you have other plans for your front-end equipment.

[Aldo]

The true is that these amps are for the Nautilus!
I need 8 identical channels to drive them!
Yes, I declare my self insane but today I place the down payment for them!
In another thread I said they were for 802D's but that is a lie I'm sorry!
I try to save that for a surprice picture when they arrive but....sorry! ops:
I will save the Krell for latter use, but for now I don't have enough money for 8 channels of Krell's or Classe Omega amps!
As some of you advise me, I will get a good pre and CD player to get quality source!
I though and though and though about the Nautilus and I...well you know the rest!

[sikoniko]

what if you like the 800d's better? Is there any going back?

I look forward to the pictures!

Everything I have heard points to the delta series being better than the omega series. Old technology...

[dknightd]

I guess you have two options. Stick with McIntosh because it matches what you have, or, try classe for something different. Both, or even a combination, are probably fine. IMO you want the best amplification on your two fronts, to me it seems the amps you are considering for fronts might not be any better than what you are using for center and surround. This seems wrong to me, but I could be wrong!.!.!.

[Alex999]

McIntosh is prettier than Classe .

[Ted]

I can't afford either, but since you're buying, I'll vote for Classe. If you accidently buy 2 extra (8, 10 who's counting?) , I'll take them off your hands for you. Just offering...

[alpina]

watched "the departed" last night at the movies

they had mcintosh and they looked superb.

being a mac fan (as far as computers go that is ) go mac

bryston user here and have never really heard mac's before but at the end of the day "its only money"

julie

[RebelMan]

McIntosh is prettier than Classe .

Looks are truly in the eye of the beholder. I appreciate the feedback the McIntosh meters provide and their bluish glow is kinda cool too but the nostalgic look is totally lost on me. You won't see many reviews acknowledge their outward appearance as pretty either but for many it is what is on the inside that counts. On the other hand, Classe' is often cited and praised for both inner and outer beauty. :B

[jericho]

Go for the Mac!!!

[Aldo]

what if you like the 800d's better? Is there any going back?

I look forward to the pictures!

Everything I have heard points to the delta series being better than the omega series. Old technology...

No there is NO going back!
Remember first that my 800 are NO Dimond! They are taking my 800 as part of down payment!

[Aldo]

Looks are truly in the eye of the beholder. I appreciate the feedback the McIntosh meters provide and their bluish glow is kinda cool too but the nostalgic look is totally lost on me. You won't see many reviews acknowledge their outward appearance as pretty either but for many it is what is on the inside that counts. On the other hand, Classe' is often cited and praised for both inner and outer beauty. :B

When I bought the Mc's I felt like they were my grandfather gear, specialy the knobs look 60's but with time I get to love them, they sound great but they look old!

[misterdoggy]

No there is NO going back!
Remember first that my 800 are NO Dimond! They are taking my 800 as part of down payment!

Aldo,

If I understand right, You are trading Nautilus 800's for Amp Gear ?

Then Your 802D's which are Rear will move to the front ?

One thing is for sure< I would go with all the same Brand Amp's and Speakers no matter what. Either change your krell for Mc's or change the Mc's for Krells or change everything for something else.

Keep the sound timbre the same IMHO :T

[sikoniko]

Aldo,

If I understand right, You are trading Nautilus 800's for Amp Gear ?

Then Your 802D's which are Rear will move to the front ?

One thing is for sure< I would go with all the same Brand Amp's and Speakers no matter what. Either change your krell for Mc's or change the Mc's for Krells or change everything for something else.

Keep the sound timbre the same IMHO :T

I think he is going to have his L & R speakers be the Nautilus and leave the other 4 802d's where they are.

I do agree you should consider keeping amps the same. at least for the front soundstage.

Might want to consider swapping the amp out for the center too if you go classe. at this point, what is another amp?

[Karma]

HI,
I'm sorry but I don't understand why you are asking us when the choice is very personal. We can't help you. Use and trust your ears. You already have several possible good choices in mind. Stick with your instincts and to hell with our opinions. They are ours, not yours.

Sparky

[Aldo]

I will leave the (4) 802D at the back, with the McIntoshs I already have and I will leave the Front HTM1D with the same Mc MC501 that I already have!
Now I'm waiting for a pair on The Nautilus that need 4 stereo amps!
At the moment I cannot buy another 3 amps from krell $$$$ (because I alredy have one).
My options are the Classe or the Mcs!
I will give my N800 as part of the down payment for the Nautilus!
4 Classe amps cost almost the same as one stereo Krell EVO amplifier, as you can imagin the Nautilus leave me short of money, so....

[Angioguy]

Vote

Love the MC-402 w/ my 802D's!

[Aldo]

Love the MC-402 w/ my 802D's!

Don't forget to update your profile!
Thanks!

[RebelMan]

I'm sorry but I don't understand why you are asking us when the choice is very personal. We can't help you. Use and trust your ears. You already have several possible good choices in mind. Stick with your instincts and to hell with our opinions. They are ours, not yours.

Very true Sparky they are our opinions but if they really didn't matter where would this or any other forum be?

[jim777]

2xMC501

[Karma]

Very true Sparky they are our opinions but if they really didn't matter where would this or any other forum be?

HI Reb,
Yep, we like to flap our lips. But to what end??? Rather than wasting paper, we just waste bandwidth.

Actually, I guess the question at least opens the door to possibilities we may not find for ourselves. :T

This, or any other forum, serves many good purposes. It's just that these either/or questions is not one of them, IMO. I will continue to urge others use their ears and ignore the sales pitches from others. I neither understand these questions nor the answers.

Sparky

[Aldo]

I better believe Mrdoggy (who already own Krell's and Marks) or Rebelman (who loves Rotel) opinion than any magazine out there!
I find this forum an invalueable oportunity to know really users of various systems.
Here I can get feedback of almost everything I want concerning B&W.
So guys, please keep posting your opinions which I find VERY important!

[sikoniko]

I better believe Mrdoggy (who already own Krell's and Marks) or Rebelman (who loves Rotel) opinion than any magazine out there!
\

i think its classe rebelman loves! he's very passionate about it too!

[GregLett]

Aldo,

Where do we buy tickets to the Nautilus show?

[misterdoggy]

Aldo,

I've also owned Levinson, Rotel, McIntosh, Krell, Hafler, amongst others. The forum is "the" place to get feedback. Firsthand feedback.

I've never owned Classe as I don't like the looks, and am afraid the touch screen look might become outdated rapidly, But.....

The best studio in the world chose Classe "Abbey Road" so there must be something about Classe and B&W.

For me Levinson had the looks as well.......

[Indytown]

When I bought the Mc's I felt like they were my grandfather gear, specialy the knobs look 60's but with time I get to love them, they sound great but they look old!

I think they have a Retro, Industrial, Functional look to them as compared to a large oversized metal box.

[misterdoggy]

I like they way the 1201's look with the large Bule meters !!

McIntosh has a great look and very warm feeling to them.

We could have a thread that discusses looks rather than functionality. I mean buying Amplifiers at the top, comes very close in sound. Talking about the top of the food chain.

So when you do want to take a choice between Krell, Classe, Mark Levinson, McIntosh or another top of the line equipment how many of us are influenced by the looks when there is a fine line differentiating the sound.

As I have said before, my Swiss friend sold his Krell 400CX for a pair of 1201's mainly because of the looks. He found the sound difference with his 800D's hardly noticeable. He loves those meters though

[Aldo]

Thanks doggy!
What you are trying to say is that with those brands, you just can't go wrong!

[misterdoggy]

Thanks doggy!
What you are trying to say is that with those brands, you just can't go wrong!

Well Almost....

I meant the top items from those brands ie: McIntosh 1201's, Levinson 436's, Krell Evolutions, Classe Cam400's, etc

At this level there is lots of similarity

[RebelMan]

i think its classe rebelman loves! he's very passionate about it too!

Very true. I just updated my long overdue profile to reflect this fact.

[sikoniko]

Very true. I just updated my long overdue profile to reflect this fact.

how about some pics now?

[Aldo]

I also vote for Rebelmans pictures!

[Jesse111]

I run Mac 501's on my 800D's. Best sounding system I've ever heard. Had Classe M400.

All Mac 501's is what I'd do. Perhaps 1201's on the bottom but that would be an optional choice.

[RebelMan]

Jesse, were you using the same pre-amplifier in both cases at the time?

[jlee]

i think its classe rebelman loves! he's very passionate about it too!

Both Rebelman and myself "grew up" on Rotel before being able to fully appreciate Classe and just how good it is... I am Classe biased now too... simply awesome... Rotel is about as good as it gets when it comes to value for money... Classe is a little pricier, but so worth it if you are truly a hobbyist...

[Aldo]

I guess you have two options. Stick with McIntosh because it matches what you have, or, try classe for something different. Both, or even a combination, are probably fine. IMO you want the best amplification on your two fronts, to me it seems the amps you are considering for fronts might not be any better than what you are using for center and surround. This seems wrong to me, but I could be wrong!.!.!.

Sorry for my bad english, but what does IMO means?
Thanks in advance!

[RobP]

IMO= In My Opinion

[Aldo]

IMO= In My Opinion

THANKS!

[earwit]

McIntosh King of liquid continuousness

There is this great article in the September 06 Absolute sound, which
discribes the sonic differences in detail between McIntosh, Classe, and others.

Per the reviewer Mac are the king of liquid continuousness, are more forward focused and Classe are relaxed and focused more deep.

For me since the B&W speakers already have such a wonderful soundstage,
and depth, Mac amps are a preferred pairing...Still this is so subjective..

I would highly recommend looking at a used MC352, versus MC 252, more wattage, less price, easily obtained, including links from HT Guide


Bob

[Kobus]

Aldo ,when are your new speakers coming.

Kobus