AudioAficionado.org  

Go Back   AudioAficionado.org > Manufacturers Forums > McIntosh Audio

McIntosh Audio A Tradition of Excellence

 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Prev Previous Post   Next Post Next
  #1  
Old 05-12-2021, 09:43 PM
j3brow's Avatar
j3brow j3brow is offline
Member

 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Baton Rouge, LA
Posts: 3,336
Default McIntosh amp taps vs current

Hey gang. Help me understand this relationship.

In the context of a speaker with a nominal impedance of 8 ohm and a minimal impedance of 3.1 ohm in bass region (Focal Scala EVO).

From what I’ve gathered, speakers that have low impedance in the bass compared with the nominal impedance work best with high current amps that always seem to be capable of doubling watts as the impedance is halved (eg 200w @ 8 ohm, 400w @ 4 ohm, 800w @ 2 ohm).

I understand that the McIntosh autoformer results in ability to supply the amplifier’s rated output whether using 2, 4, or 8 ohm tap which is great when the speaker nominal impedance is fairly flat across freq spectrum.

But what happens when we use 8 ohm tap on the MC601 for example and the bass impedance dips down to 3 ohm? Is this a problem?

If one picks the 4 ohm tap, that helps the bass current needs but what about the higher impedance for the remaining freq?

I know we can try whichever tap we want and pick whichever sounds best, won’t hurt amp or speaker but before purchasing said speaker, is a McIntosh amp able to properly drive a speaker like this compared with a different amp that is capable of doubling watts with decreasing impedance.

Are McIntosh amps considered “high current” amps or is that term only reserved for amps capable of doubling output?
__________________

Preamp: McIntosh C1100T/C1100C, McIntosh MX180
Amp: McIntosh MC611 (2), MC601 (3), MI254
Digital: McIntosh D1100, McIntosh MCT450, Meridian 808v6, Aurender N20, Aurender ACS10, Oppo 203
Analog: McIntosh MT10, Hana Umami Red
Phono preamp: Simaudio Moon 610LP, 820S
Signal cables: WW Gold Eclipse 7 speaker cables; Shunyata Sigma v2 XLR (2); Sigma v1 XLR (2), Transparent Ref XL (MM2) XLR; WW Silver Eclipse 7 (4)
Digital cables: Shunyata Omega USB, Omega Ethernet, Sigma Ethernet; WW Platinum 7 Coax, AES/EBU
Switch: Innuos PhoenixNet
Power: Audioquest Niagara 7000, Audioquest 5000, Audioquest Dragon, Hurricane PC, Shunyata Alpha HC, AQ NRG Edison outlets, (8) 20 amp dedicated lines, 125 amp subpanel
Speakers: Wilson Sasha DAW, Dynaudio Contour 30, Dynaudio Contour 25C
Subs: REL s/812 (6), REL s/510 (3)
Accessories: HRS M3X2 shelf (MT10), Stillpoints Ultra II v2 w/ bases (21), Ultra SS (12), Mini (12), LPi v1
Sound treaments: Artnovion

Last edited by j3brow; 05-12-2021 at 09:49 PM.
Reply With Quote
 

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Audioaficionado.org tested by Norton Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:04 PM.



Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.10
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
©Copyright 2009-2023 AudioAficionado.org.Privately owned, All Rights Reserved.
Audio Aficionado Sponsors
AudioAficionado Subscriber
AudioAficionado Subscriber
Inspire By Dennis Had
Inspire By Dennis Had
Harmonic Resolution Systems
Harmonic Resolution Systems
Wyred4Sound
Wyred4Sound
Dragonfire Acoustics
Dragonfire Acoustics
GIK Acoustics
GIK Acoustics
Esoteric
Esoteric
AC Infinity
AC Infinity
JL Audio
JL Audio
Add Powr
Add Powr
Accuphase - Soulution
Accuphase - Soulution
Audio by E
Audio by E
Canton
Canton
Bryston
Bryston
WireWorld Cables
WireWorld Cables
Stillpoints
Stillpoints
Bricasti Design
Bricasti Design
Furutech
Furutech
Shunyata Research
Shunyata Research
Legend Audio & Video
Legend Audio & Video