Upgraded Jumpers for Integrated Amplifiers?

[Formerly YB-2]

I have no beef with Doug Schroeder's opinion or what he proports to hear. It is simply another data point in our unending search for audio nirvana. As far as the Jena jumpers go, they did not have a 'profound effect', or even a large enough effect on my MA6600 that I would necessarily recommend for others. If they have a 'profound effect' for you, that's great. A nice quality, inexpensive tweak. Trust your ears. That is what I always do.

[KMC45]

Originally Posted by BuffaloBill

Julian, I am not in a position to say if you can or can not hear a difference using aftermarket jumpers with your MA7000. In my mind, to assume that you do, you also have to assume that the stock jumpers are in some way degrading and that McIntosh knowingly provides jumpers with their integrated amps that sound inferior. I do not have any basis or reason to substantiate these assumptions and they are not consistent with my conversations with the engineers at McIntosh.

William,

What's with the rational thought on an audio forum.


As to the MA6600/MA7000. I've owned both, compared them closely, and think they sound more similar than different.

Now, those jumpers things. I tried some from audioquest on my MA7000 and I didn't notice any difference. I was going to borrow another MA7000 from my dealer and put it in the system so I could compare one with jumpers and one without, but I decided that was more effort than I wanted to expend on the matter. However, I did order two pair of dussy jumpers from Jena Labs just to check them out. I hope they arrive before I sell my MA7000.

[Masterlu]

Keith.... Are you breeding MA7000's?

[KMC45]

Ivan,

It's only my third one.

It seems that a new MC452 might be finding it's way into that room, so.................

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by KMC45

Ivan,

It's only my third one.

It seems that a new MC452 might be finding it's way into that room, so.................

Reminds me when I started selling my MC1201's and kept finding "one more pair" in my storage unit. A lot of guys here are still using them.

[AudioNut]

Originally Posted by BuffaloBill

Julian, I am not in a position to say if you can or can not hear a difference using aftermarket jumpers with your MA7000. In my mind, to assume that you do, you also have to assume that the stock jumpers are in some way degrading and that McIntosh knowingly provides jumpers with their integrated amps that sound inferior. I do not have any basis or reason to substantiate these assumptions and they are not consistent with my conversations with the engineers at McIntosh.

AHA - the old engineers ploy - never known an engineer that could look past his statistics - the old "listening through the slide rule rule - If you can't prove it it ain't so"

EVERY MANUFACTURER MAKES PRODUCTS THAT MAY BE IMPROVED UPON THROUGH SOME SORT OF ALTERATION, MODIFICATION, OR ADDITION - BETTER PARTS, BETTER CAPACITORS BETTER TUBES - BETTER WIRES - BETTER FEET - BETTER ISOLATION - ETC. ETC.

The very same argument you are using about jumpers, could indicate that (McIntosh's) stock tubes are in some way degrading, and that McIntosh knowingly provides tubes for their amplifiers that sound inferior - if, in fact, changing out tubes improves the sound. and everyone knows that one can change the sound by changing tubes, and in many cases, the people who change the tubes think that they have made their amps sound better. McIntosh makes quality equipment - but every part in every piece is not necessarily the best that money can buy. It is quite possible to change a few things around and make their stuff sound better.

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by jprice

AHA - the old engineers ploy - never known an engineer that could look past his statistics - the old "listening through the slide rule rule - If you can't prove it it ain't so"

EVERY MANUFACTURER MAKES PRODUCTS THAT MAY BE IMPROVED UPON THROUGH SOME SORT OF ALTERATION, MODIFICATION, OR ADDITION - BETTER PARTS, BETTER CAPACITORS BETTER TUBES - BETTER WIRES - BETTER FEET - BETTER ISOLATION - ETC. ETC.

The very same argument you are using about jumpers, could indicate that (McIntosh's) stock tubes are in some way degrading, and that McIntosh knowingly provides tubes for their amplifiers that sound inferior - if, in fact, changing out tubes improves the sound. and everyone knows that one can change the sound by changing tubes, and in many cases, the people who change the tubes think that they have made their amps sound better. McIntosh makes quality equipment - but every part in every piece is not necessarily the best that money can buy. It is quite possible to change a few things around and make their stuff sound better.

IMHO, That's a Fact!

[KMC45]

One out of four that have listened to a McIntosh Integrated amp with upgraded jumpers found an improvement.

So, let's use statistics. We can say there's a twenty-five percent success rate, or we can say there's a seventy-five percent failure rate.

Pick your position.

[jdandy]

Jumpers, interconnects, speaker wires, power cables, tubes, cable elevators, shakti stands, and a whole lot more all have merit to those who desire and enjoy that which is provided. To those who do not wish to participate, or find no value, I say save your money and be happy. Your decisions won't affect my sound systems one iota, nor will my decisions affect yours. To each their own.

[Formerly YB-2]

Dan has it right. We each hear what we hear. Am willing to try things, like these jumpers, which did not do do much for my MA6600. At least to my ears. However, does not mean they won't work for your integrated amp. No big deal. If they had been $700 rather than $70, would have approached in a completely different manner. A $70 tweak is hardly worth getting excited about one way or the other. Now, a McIntosh classic vs 3D face is an entirely different matter on which one may pontificate.