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Well, I just got back from a dealer where I spent about 2 hours auditioning a couple of integrated amps for my 703s.
At the moment, I've got my 703s hooked up to a Rotel RX-1052 which does sound very good, but I know I can get more out of the speakers.
I am contemplating sticking with Rotel and going for separates. I'll audition those later, but for the moment I thought I ought to give a listen to a couple of products from some other companies that fit (or stretch) my budget.
First up was the McIntosh MA6300 integrated. The cheapest Mac out there, but still a classy piece of gear. The competition: Simaudio Moon i5.3. The Simaudio unit costs a bit more, is rated lower in terms of watts, but I think is actually higher current than the Mac. I know it has no problems with 2 Ohm loads so it would have no trouble driving the 703s (according to the dealer it has no trouble driving the 800Ds for that matter and he claims sounds quite good with them).
I first listened to the MA6300. Initial impressions: Wow! way more bass than I get at home. Smooth and airy sounding, with what seemed like a better balance. The top end seemed a tiny bit tamed in comparison to the Rotel (although, the room at the dealer is better than mine, so the Rotel may very well sound better there, too).
I listened to a large number of pieces of music, and found that I loved the McIntosh, especially on Jazz and acoustic pieces. Well, it sounded better on everything than my receiver at home, but it should given that it costs almost 3 times as much!
When I switched to the Simaudio, I found it seemed much more forward than the Mac. I didn't like this at first, but I soon became acclimatized to its presentation and I loved it. I realized that it was revealing a bit more detail than the Mac, and it delivered a bit more depth and tightness in the bass department.
From my notes, I can see that I preferred the Mac for some of the jazz pieces I listened to, but the Simaudio rocked out better. On Blues it was very close, but the Simaudio seemed to deliver a bit more "slam" than the Mac.
I switched back and forth several times listening to the same songs. One example of the differences I heard between the two amps occurred the song "St. Thomas" from Saxophone Colossus by Sonny Rollins. Max Roach's cymbals had a detailed "shimmer" and sparkle on the Simaudio that was quite a bit more muted on the Mac. Both had more detail than I get at home.
But there was an overall musical quality to the Mac that was so easy to listen to.
After switching back and forth several times, I really couldn't decide which I liked better. There was an overall airiness and smoothness to the Mac that was delightful, but the detail that the Simaudio provided was addictive.
Anyway, no decisions made yet. At this point I'd call it a wash, but I'm still going to listen to a Rotel RC-1082 + an amp (haven't decided which) and see if that combo can be competitive with these integrated amps.
Just thought I'd share if anyone was interested.
At the moment, I've got my 703s hooked up to a Rotel RX-1052 which does sound very good, but I know I can get more out of the speakers.
I am contemplating sticking with Rotel and going for separates. I'll audition those later, but for the moment I thought I ought to give a listen to a couple of products from some other companies that fit (or stretch) my budget.
First up was the McIntosh MA6300 integrated. The cheapest Mac out there, but still a classy piece of gear. The competition: Simaudio Moon i5.3. The Simaudio unit costs a bit more, is rated lower in terms of watts, but I think is actually higher current than the Mac. I know it has no problems with 2 Ohm loads so it would have no trouble driving the 703s (according to the dealer it has no trouble driving the 800Ds for that matter and he claims sounds quite good with them).
I first listened to the MA6300. Initial impressions: Wow! way more bass than I get at home. Smooth and airy sounding, with what seemed like a better balance. The top end seemed a tiny bit tamed in comparison to the Rotel (although, the room at the dealer is better than mine, so the Rotel may very well sound better there, too).
I listened to a large number of pieces of music, and found that I loved the McIntosh, especially on Jazz and acoustic pieces. Well, it sounded better on everything than my receiver at home, but it should given that it costs almost 3 times as much!
When I switched to the Simaudio, I found it seemed much more forward than the Mac. I didn't like this at first, but I soon became acclimatized to its presentation and I loved it. I realized that it was revealing a bit more detail than the Mac, and it delivered a bit more depth and tightness in the bass department.
From my notes, I can see that I preferred the Mac for some of the jazz pieces I listened to, but the Simaudio rocked out better. On Blues it was very close, but the Simaudio seemed to deliver a bit more "slam" than the Mac.
I switched back and forth several times listening to the same songs. One example of the differences I heard between the two amps occurred the song "St. Thomas" from Saxophone Colossus by Sonny Rollins. Max Roach's cymbals had a detailed "shimmer" and sparkle on the Simaudio that was quite a bit more muted on the Mac. Both had more detail than I get at home.
But there was an overall musical quality to the Mac that was so easy to listen to.
After switching back and forth several times, I really couldn't decide which I liked better. There was an overall airiness and smoothness to the Mac that was delightful, but the detail that the Simaudio provided was addictive.
Anyway, no decisions made yet. At this point I'd call it a wash, but I'm still going to listen to a Rotel RC-1082 + an amp (haven't decided which) and see if that combo can be competitive with these integrated amps.
Just thought I'd share if anyone was interested.
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