#11
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Charles,
I love McIntosh equipment but don’t share your blind faith that it is always better. I know of two other AudioNuts who are very successfully using Ref 160m with Alex and Alex V speakers. Your McZeal seems to go into hyperdrive sometimes.
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Main Equipment: Kharma Elegance dB11-S, JL Audio F113v2 X 2, Block Audio Line & Mono SE Amplification, Bricasti M21 DAC, Antipodes Kala K-50 Server, Clearaudio Performance SE. Satisfy tonearm & Maestro Wood MM cartridge. Power: Shunyata Everest 8000, Sigma XC v2, Sigma NR v2, Block Audio PCs, Defender, ADDPowr Wizard Grounding: Shunyata Altaira CGS - 4 X Alpha CGS cables, Network : Supra Cat 8+, Twin (Nenon) Modified Buffalo GS2016 Switches, Keces P3 LPSU, Cables: Wireworld Platinum 8 USB, Wireworld Platinum 8 Speaker cables, 6M & 1M Tubulus Concentus ICs, Other:Two PSI Audio AVAA C20, Multiple GIK products, Stillpoint Apertures, Stillpoint Minis and Ultra SS, Three 20 Amp lines, Furutech GTX - Gold outlets, Adona Rack |
#12
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Having owned both McIntosh & ARC, I've been very pleased with both when in the 'right' system. However, I have owned a couple of "clunkers" from McIntosh that did not sound good to my ears with anything I tried (C39 & MA6900). Obviously, YMMV. We all have our own 'ears'.
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Glenn... Canton Reference 9 Clearaudio SM Pro Focal Bathys JLA 10" Dominion Kuzma Stabi S w/MC & MM Magnepan 1,7i McIntosh MA8950 & MR88 Oppo 203 Roon Nucleus Rose Hifi RS150B Shunyata Gemini-4 Sony ST-A6B, TA-F6B, ST-J75 & PS-X75 Sorane SA1.2 & TA-1L Stillpoints LP1v2 WW Pt, Au & Ag |
#13
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Having owned the ARC Reference 160 mono's and Wilson Alexia 2's I can say that without a doubt there is no issue with enough power output or clipping with this combination.
Wilson would not use this combination frequently at shows if it was not a synergistic pairing.
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Buddy Boulder 1160 Amp, 1110 Pre-Amp Audio Research Ref. 3 Phono-Pre Vivid Audio Giya G2S2 Speakers MSB Reference DAC Innuos Statement w/Next Gen. PS B & W DB1D Subwoofer X2 Audioquest Niagara 5000 Power Conditioner Kronos Pro Turntable w/Kronoscope RS tonearm + SCPS-1 PS + MSL Platinum Cart. VPI HW-40 Turntable w/ Lyra Etna cartridge Jay's Audio CDT3-MK3 CD Transport Schiit Mjolnir 2 HPA + Audeze LCD X headphones Adona Equipment Rack and Amp Stands Furutech Outlets and Plates + NCF Booster Shunyata Cables Synergistic Research Galileo SX Ground Block, FEQ 4, Black Box + Room Acoustic treatments |
#14
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McZeal.......now that's funny, they should use that in an ad somehow.
- Buck
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Library: Speakers: Avalon Acoustics Isis, Subwoofers: (2) REL Acoustics 212SE Amplification: D’agostino Momentum preamplifier, D’agostino S250 stereo amplifier Digital: dCS Rossini CD/SACD transport, dCS Rossini DAC/streamer/master clock. Analog: Brinkmann Taurus table, Lyra Etna Lambda, Audio Research Ref. Phono 3 |
#15
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At the end of the day, it's just personal preference. Oh, and I don't use the fans on my ref160's, I have the covers off. If you have adequate ventilation, arc amps don't need fans. |
#16
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#17
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Not "blind faith". Again offensive. I have never ever said Mac was "always better". In fact I have always been highly complementary of ARC and been very careful not to offend except in threads like this one.
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#18
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"an off the cuff comment like yours says more about your knowledge of high end audio than it addresses Ed's question." you questioned my knowledge, so look in the mirror about offending someone sport |
#19
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I have never with exception of my 3500 said Mac was the best amp on the market. In fact I have said the opposite many times. I happen to think the 3500 is special. As to theories why don't you play Liberty Fanfare on the "Wilson Winds of War and Peace" at a good level thru an Alexx or Alexia and discover what happens when the speaker needs 350 watts. ARC has loyal followers both in the magazines and on this website, who never hesitate, when someone asks which is better.
This notion that Mac is softer warmer and obscures detail is ridiculous, frankly ridculous. |
#20
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Best Charles |
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