Quote:
Originally Posted by greg
Charles
connect your XVX to the 8 ohm taps and you will get a much better sound, don't be afraid, you won't spoil anything. 1.25 will be slightly warmer, it will work for the next 50 years
|
Greg, This topic comes up about once a year. Do you own Mac amps? Could you state your signature? I'm bad about not doing so but will state mine below. I appreciate your comment but it is incorrect.
Creating an impedance mismatch in order to obtain better sound over stresses the amp. It can result in fat bass and this can "warm" up the sound. My sound doesn't need it.
I will give an example. Once I owned a Thiel CS5i. This speaker had an essentially resistive impedance of 2 ohm. I used a Mac 2600 stereo power amp. It was a monster amp designed by Sidney Corderman.
When running the CS5i off the 8 ohm tap the bass was fat. I eventually used the 2 ohm tap but later on went to a Krell FPB 700.
Anytime this topic come up folks chime in stating their belief in creating impedance mismatches for Mac amps. My suggestion is that if you desire the most balanced best overall sound, follow my rule.
Best
Charles
____________________
Charles Updated System: Wilson McIntosh Audioquest
Most recent updates: AQ Diamond USB replaces AQ Coffee; Wilson Audio Specialties Alexx replaced by Wilson Audio Specialties XVX Chronosonic; new subwoofer crossover; new Galaxy Grey Thors Hammer; Wilson Pedestals
Amps: McIntosh 1.25KW’s (3) set on floor on custom made cultured marble slabs
Preamp and DAC: McIntosh D1100
Sources: McIntosh MCD1100 SACD player, MVP881 BR player, MVP851 DVD player, MR87 tuner, Marantz 510LV Laser Disc player, ASUS laptop USB (JRiver Media Center 23)
Speakers: Wilson Audio Specialties XVX Chronosonic
Sub-woofer: Wilson Audio Specialties Thor’s Hammer (1) horizontal lie and Wilson Watch Controller (abbr: WC)
Cables main system: Audioquest Wel Signature speaker cables and balanced IC (preamp to amps); Wel Signature AES/EBU balanced digital IC for CD playback; Audioquest Diamond optical (1) for tuner, (1) for BR player, and (1) for LD player for total of (3); Diamond USB cable; McIntosh MCT cable for SACD playback; Dragon power cords (5 HC cords and 3 source cords for total of 8); Thunder HC power cord for tuner; cables for DVD player not listed
Cables subwoofer system: Audioquest Redwood speaker cable (1); Wolf balanced subwoofer IC from WC to amp; Wind balanced IC from preamp to WC; Hurricane HC (2) and Dragon HC (1) power cords
Power conditioners: Audioquest Niagara 7000 (1) and Niagara 5000 (3); (4) dedicated 20-amp lines with no. 10 wire straight out of fuse box
Isolation: Wilson Pedestals
Cabinet: Double Custom Woodwork & Design (CWD) solid walnut cabinet on large casters; holds all sources and preamp; also, Niagara 7000; 11 feet minimum distance from speakers
Acoustic Treatments: Room and Echo Tunes
AC: Dedicated to this room only, an ultra-high efficiency and quiet recently installed Ruud split system 3-ton heat pump.
Room (mancave): 40’L x 15.5’W A-frame; max ceiling height 8’ min 5’; wall within wall construction built of 2 x 6’s; built over garage with custom hardwood floor with gym seal with over 40 Lowes stiffened wooden I-beams supporting floor; complete isolation from rest of house.