With high efficiency speakers and very high powered amplifiers, the needles will certainly stay low on the left.

Okay.. Whew!

So after some deliberation. I think I am at this point here:

78 Klipschorns with updated Crossovers from ALK ENG
2 X JL Audio Fathom F113 Subwoofers
Mcintosh MS300 (upgraded 750GB)
Sony CDP-CX400 (Mega Changer to import music to MS300)
Playstation 3
Apple TV
DirecTV
Project Debut III Turntable.
Sony 52KDL-XBR4

The planned upgrades are:
*McIntosh MCD500 SACD/CD player with Digital in (optical & Coaxial)

I would provide the digital out from the MS300 (Coax) and the SonyTV (Optical) to the back of the MCD500 for it's superior Digital to Analog conversion.

*McIntosh Integrated amplifier.

I can't make up my mind between the MA6600 and the MA7000. Both offer great features.

The MA7000 looks good & is very traditional. It has a plethora of knobs and buttons that pre-date notions of "firmware" and digital displays. This makes it very convenient to access any of the features all on the front face plate. It also has 2 sets of Balanced inputs however I don't think I'd use them. It has a set of balanced outputs that would mate well with the balanced inputs of my JL F113. Though, is it a truly balance design-does it matter? The handles really make it a statement piece, it could stand alone in the living room and even guests would be like, "That looks very interesting!?"

The MA6600
I can't retype all the great comments and reviews from the forum members and the internet. What I like is the ability to trim the inputs to match- that tosses into the other issues of the loudness wars in the recording industry. I also like the ability to add the TM2 tuner module which provides the flexibility to turn the MA6600 into a receiver. I like that each unused input can be shut down so I am getting right down to business. This costs less than the MA7000 and gives up some in looks, yet overall retains the greatest flexibility.

Tubes are out of the question because I do not want to have to replace them over and over-even if they get 4000hrs!

McIntosh MEN220 "Room Perfect" Processor
Today's modern tech has allowed the music listener to enjoy studio level performance in a home environment. I'm on the fence about this because room acoustics can be tackled in the analog domain through room treatments, albeit spouse friendly. I'd like to sample this regardless to see if it's worth it.

Lastly, I am still deciding how much longer I want to hold onto the Klipschorn. I started to look at what McIntosh had to offer, to include the XLS320 and XCS350.

Thanks for your input and feedback so far.

Bill

Bill,
Good snag on the MS300 (with the 750GB HD). I have always been a fan of hte Klipsch Heritage series - you have a nice lineage in the Khorns.

I almost sold mine Before the upgrade, have never looked back since.
I would go vintage tubes for more power or flea powered SE amps if your not a DB junkie.
I settled with 6wpc SE monoblocks
The new MC275 didn't differ much from the MC352 as stated in a previous post
I have paired these speakers with at least 50amps over the years

I scored a McIntosh MCD500!!
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/k...ash/HT12-1.jpg googleimages

Here is my current system plan, replace the XLS320 Speakers with Klipschorns
http://www.audioaficionado.org/attac...2&d=1341638110

Here is the plan should I get the MEN220 "Room Perfect" processor
http://www.audioaficionado.org/attac...3&d=1341638121

While you could not possibly go wrong with either of those integrated amps (loved my MA6600), changing tubes every 4-5000 hours is like once per year, maximum. And then only the power tubes, as the small signal tubes last 10,000+ hours. If you turn your system off when not in use you easily get 2-3 years of life out of the power tubes and at least twice that from the small signal tubes. Changing tubes takes all of 10-minutes in all of the McIntosh tube amps or the MA2275 (not my first choice but popular with many) and is very simple. More involved with the C2200/2300 as a cover must be removed to access the tubes. Your Klispch will work perfectly well with tubes or solid-state.

Glenn..

Thank you for taking the time to break it down for me. I suppose If I had a spares I wouldn't have to worry to much. Of course I would suck if I was out of town and I had to explain this wife. :(

Hello o0OBillo0O

william 13

Hello back. :D

I have some heavily modified Khorns, and I can strongly suggest you upgrade your crossovers. I have compared many on my old La Scala's (AK-3's, ALKs and AA's) and to my ears the ALK universals were by far the better network. I use them in my current Khorns and they made a dramatic difference.

As for amps, look no further than a pair of NosValve VRD's. 60wpc and they fit like a glove with a pair of Khorns.

Mike