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  #1  
Old 12-12-2019, 05:46 PM
iefbo iefbo is offline
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Default JL Audio CR-1 vs McIntosh Men220

Looking to integrate a JL Audio F113 into a stereo setup with McIntosh components and Sonus Faber speakers.
JL Audio CR-1 vs McIntosh Men220, which would you recommend and why?
Thanks!
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Old 12-12-2019, 07:32 PM
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I use the MEN 220 with my two F113v2s. The MEN 220 matches my gear, handles the crossover, and has RoomPerfect which is for me indispensable for my room. It does an analog to digital to analog to incorporate the RoomPerfect and for some that is a downside. I have always wondered if that counteracts my Esoteric K-03x DAC. Do not know for sure but the MEN 220 sounds great at least to me and is easy to blend the speakers and the subs. For the purists I would think the CR-1 is a great choice. I recall when one of the designers came to my house and brought a prototype well before they settled on the final design. Quite an impressive unit. Crwilli (Craig) can help you with the CR-1 as he has it well integrated in his system.
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Two Channel: McIntosh C2300 preamp, MC601 amps x2, MR88 tuner, MEN220; Esoteric K-03X; Aurender N100C 4TB; B&W 802D2 Diamonds, JL Audio F113V2 x 2 on Sound Anchor Sub Stands; VPI Classic Signature Piano Black, Ortofon Cadenza Black, VPI SDS, periphery ring, StillPoints center weight, Gingko Audio ClaraVu Dust Cover CT, KAB SpeedStrobe, Dr. Feickert Analogue Protractor; Sonos with W4S digital modification to W4S Remedy to Esoteric; W4S PS1 Linear Power unit for the 2x Remedy and Recovery w/ W4S PS1 Power Cord; Torus RM20; Wireworld Silver Series 7 Electra/Starlight/Eclipse cables and WW Platinum Power Cord for Amps and Platinum USB for Aurender; KLAUDIO RCM; Steve Blinn Designs extra wide three shelf rack; GIK Acoustics panels and bass traps, StillPoints Ultra Minis under all gear and Stillpoint Ultra SS under amps and speakers.
Home Theater 7.2: McIntosh MX150, MC452, MC207; B&W 803D2 Diamonds, HTM2 center, CWM7.3 surrounds; JLAudio F112 x2 subs; Panasonic TC-P65ZT60 65" Studio Master Plasma; Oppo 205; Crown FM Two Tuner; Sonos with W4S Remedy; Apple TV; Furman Elite 20 amp PFi x2; WW and AQ Cables/Cords; Salamander Synergy Four Bay Cabinet
Office 2ch with McIntosh vintage refurbished gear: McIntosh MC275V6 x2 tube amps; Klipsch Cornwall I vintage speakers (1982); AQ Dragonfly Red DAC/Jitterbug/cables; PS Audio Dectet Power Center; Mcintosh C28, MC2105, MR78 (with mod), MQ101, each with original walnut cabinet and panloc (1976), MCD7008 (1996), ML1C speakers (1976); Bang & Olufsen Beogram 4002 turntable (1976) with new SoundSmith SMMC20CL cartridge (2015); Salamander double rack
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Old 12-12-2019, 11:12 PM
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I have owned both in different systems for different reasons.

The MEN220 was instrumental in allowing me to blend/balance a set of Infinity Reference Standard Betas in an old room. I used its xover, room perfect and custom EQ capabilities to blend the woofer columns with the upper panels AMD the room. The digital to analog to digital conversions were irrelevant as I could t make the speakers work in that room without the functionality of the MEN220.

In my current room where I too blend a Fathom 113v2 with my Strads, the all analog CR1 provides all the functionality I need. Horses for courses.
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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
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Old 12-13-2019, 05:59 AM
iefbo iefbo is offline
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If I oversimplify what I read:
- the MEN220 is chosen for convenience, but room correction will impact sound quality
- the CR1 is chosen because it allows you to fine tune settings with great detail and it does not "mess" with the sound

So with the CR1 it is possible to achieve better SQ, but you might need a pro (and his measuring equipment) to configure it just right for your environment.
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Old 12-13-2019, 08:27 AM
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Default JL Audio CR-1 vs McIntosh Men220

I Chose the MEN220 for its multiple functions some which are highly customizable. It’s a Swiss Army knife. The downside is the extra Digital to analog to digital conversions.

The CR1 is all analog and better enables You to blend a JLAudio sub.

When I setup my new room in SC, I knew I didn’t need the extra functions and this cost of the MEN220. The CR1 is perfect for my needs and was less money.

The fact that it is analog was a positive as well.

IMHO -If you need or want the Room Perfect or customizable EQ capabilities of the MEN220, buy it. If you do not, buy the CR1 and put the extra money in better cables.
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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
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 Eclipse 8 Speaker cables, 6M & 1M Tubulus Concentus ICs,
Other: Multiple GIK products, Stillpoint Apertures, Stillpoint Minis and Ultra SS, Three 20 Amp lines, Furutech GTX - Gold outlets, Adona Rack

Last edited by crwilli; 12-13-2019 at 09:29 AM.
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  #6  
Old 12-13-2019, 10:24 AM
iefbo iefbo is offline
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I'm not sure I "need" room perfect. My system is in my living room in a far from ideal acoustic situation.
I'm not a fan of the additional conversion room correction requires, but I like the ease of set up.
Regarding the CR1 I'm afraid getting things right will be very hard to achieve.
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