My experience with the MEN220

[NormaJean]

I had been hearing so much good things about the McIntosh MEN220, I figured out I had to try it for myself before I could have a serious opinion.

Little did I know I was walking straight into a trap and what was merely curiosity at the time would transform into a serious case of the flu :P, not unlike what I felt before buying my amplifier.

It has been discussed extensively in some other threads that the concept of the MEN220 is very counterintuitive because instead of aiming for the signal with the least components in its path, this unit is adding I don't know how many chips in the signal transforming it from analog to digital and from …

This is not what interested me when I tried it out, I wanted to see how it would shape the sound of a system in a real life situation. In the case of the audition, I was listening to the MCD301 going into a C2300 getting a sweet massage from the MEN220 into a MC402 and finally into a pair of Canton Reference 3.2.

The salesman was kind enough to do the calibration routine in front of me so I got to experience the full process.

He then left me with a few CDs and the remote for as a long as I pleased.

After a few songs, it was clear that this is one of those units that I would just need to add to my system. Switching from the bypass setting to the focus setting, I could hear the soundstage coming together in a way that was very natural and right in the context of every pieces I heart. The voice would come up front closer and the different instruments would feel just a little bit more separated from one another. I felt like the unit allowed for a more detailed sound which brought out some harmonics from the difference instruments, this I felt brought to the musicality of the system.

The bass was completely transformed, when the MEN220 was on I felt like the lower frequencies would extend much deeper and the inflections from acoustic instruments could be felt and heard. The reverb(reverb that was found in the recording) from lower notes would extend much longer than I could hear them without the MEN220. The lower frequencies sounded more defined and tighter all together

The unit provided all these benefits while being completely transparent. I almost felt like the marketing department from McIntosh was putting some filters on the bypass circuit so that everything would sound dull and less exciting.

I will continue auditioning the unit before purchasing it, to confirm these findings, but from this first audition I can say that without any doubts that this unit will find its way into my listening room really soon.

Ludwig

[jdandy]

Ludwig.......My conclusions parallel yours. The MEN220 is remarkable. Don't overlook it's active crossover capabilities if you use a powered sub or decide to bi-amp your main speakers. You might as well bring the MEN220 home.

[NormaJean]

Dan

Thank you,

Your review was definately one of the main reason which brought me to audition a unit that I had overlooked until very recently.

At this point, I feel like it's only a matter of time until I'm a happy owner.

[Formerly YB-2]

Horrible thread. Just lets me know what I'm missing. My wife spent my MEN220 money with a week in Bermuda last month and this past week on Martha's Vineyard (80F with a nice breeze is so much nicer than 105F with none). At least I got to go along. Now that she's off to Maui next week (without me), I can start saving. Again. Please keep us up-to-date as you gain additional run-time.

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by Formerly YB-2

Horrible thread. Just lets me know what I'm missing. My wife spent my MEN220 money with a week in Bermuda last month and this past week on Martha's Vineyard (80F with a nice breeze is so much nicer than 105F with none). At least I got to go along. Now that she's off to Maui next week (without me), I can start saving. Again. Please keep us up-to-date as you gain additional run-time.

You were at Martha's Vineyard and didn't call or write me?

[Jerome W]

I'm an analog guy but I would never take my Room Perfect out of my system

[Scottsmrnyc]

I await the completion of my new MEN 220 from McIntosh. It should be ready in a week or so. Now I am very excited to test it out upon delivery. Since I have a MX 135, should there be a second MEN 220 in my future for the rear speakers?

[Formerly YB-2]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

You were at Martha's Vineyard and didn't call or write me?

My bad. Spent almost all my waking moments sitting in a rocking chair or swing on the front porch (corner of Seaview & Pequot, Oak Bluffs) overlooking Ink Beach enjoying a good book and the lovely breeze. Was so bad that we even used the take-out seafood bar at Nancy's and ate at the table on the porch. Idyllic. But......... the wife is pretty much in charge when we travel. Doing so makes life much easier when it is my turn. MEN220 this fall.

[jfray]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Ludwig.......My conclusions parallel yours. The MEN220 is remarkable. Don't overlook it's active crossover capabilities if you use a powered sub or decide to bi-amp your main speakers. You might as well bring the MEN220 home.

+1

In my room using the focused setting on the MEN220, it truly "Focuses" sound stage and gives a higher resolution (when I close my eyes I can easily pick the location of each instrument) as in "bypass" mode the sound stage is slightly smeared.... I am glad to hear you like it so far.

[Lunchy]

Does anyone have any experience comparing this to ARC running on an Anthem Pre? I have a D2v...