MA9000 Ordered: Setup Advice Needed

[Craig_B]

Hello Brain Trust,

I just ordered the following for a relatively small two channel listening area:

MA9000
MEN220
MPC1500

To the above, I will add my MCD600. I also plan on adding a streaming source at some point, maybe the MS500 - but will start with an Airport Express with Apple Music connected to the MA9000's DAC. I will also eventually add a MT5.

Question: What will be the best way to connect the MEN220 with the MA9000 and other devices? I planned/hoped to use the variable XLR output on the MCD600 when connecting to the MA9000, but a little confused after looking at the connection diagram for the MEN220 (its shows connection with a separate pre and amp). I won't be using a sub, likely a pair of XR100s (still have to decide on speakers).

I am a newbie with McIntosh gear, having just stepped after being a lifelong Sony ES user. Just want to make sure I can incorporate the MEN220 into this setup.

I appreciate any advice/insight from those more knowledge than I.

Best,
Craig

[Fbgbill]

Craig,
Welcome to McIntosh. I must admit I know nothing about the MEN220 but I will say that the XR100's are superb speakers from my point of view. I have had mine about a year and am very pleased with them. I drive them with MC611 mono blocks and a C22600 pre.

[crwilli]

The MEN220 will need to be connected from the MA9000 pre out to the pre in on the MEN220. Then pre out from the MEN 220 to the AMP in on the MA9000.

Do you know you need the MEN220? I might suggest connecting your system without it and see how good you can get the room to sound.

After a few weeks, then install the MEN220 and start experimenting with it. It is a very capable and multifunctional device that can bring fabulous results but does add a bit of ‘something’.

I have used one to great value integrating the woofer towers of my old Infinity IRS betas. There was a specific purpose in mind and it worked great.

When I changed speakers, I no longer needed the Swiss Army knife and got better results with it out of my system.

YMMV

[PeterMusic]

Welcome, Craig! Very excited for you--the change from Sony to McIntosh will be profound. A couple of thoughts:

Like crwilli, I would not be certain that the MEN220 will help you--while it is an awesome piece of gear, it is not a free lunch sonically. In my system, in my room, it improved my bass response, but it took away too much of the high end for me, so I returned my demo unit after testing. I recommend buying everything else first, then a month or two later (after everything is burned in and you really understand the system's sound), try the MEN220 as an in-home demo or with a risk-free return policy.

On the streaming--I do not stream myself, but I think you'll find the Apple gear to be a painful listen compared to the MCD600. One "unfortunate" thing about the awesome electronics you're purchasing is that they "demand" a great source, great speakers... (Of course, if you skip the MEN220, you could put that $ into a streamer)

Good luck--whatever you decide, keep us posted!

[FreddieFerric]

Congats on the MA9000. I agree with the other two posters. Set the system up without the room correction in the audio chain. Then after you've broken everything in and know what type of sound you have you can add the MEN220 to see what it brings to the table. Unless you have some strange room dimensions I'd be more apt to believe the MEN220 won't be needed.

[substance]

If you are planning on subwoofers (and perhaps older ones without room correction), there is an alternative but unusual way you can implement the MEN220.

You need to run the room perfect in its standard setup first which will dial in the EQ. You need to setup the digital crossover settings in a way that the high pass filter will mimic the natural roll off for your main speakers. You can now remove the MEN220 from your setup and connect your power amp directly into your pre-amp (inset the jumpers in MA9000’s case). Now you can connect the MEN220 into secondary pre-amp output of your pre-amp (or the XLR pre outs on MA9000). Connect only the low pass outputs of the MEN220 into your subwoofer’s LFE in.

This way, you can avoid the A/D and D/A conversions in the upper bands (especially valuable for Vinyl) and still digitally correct your bass in MEN220. It is crucial to get the crossover and subwoofer gain settings right. You probably want to run some test tones and analyze in REW or something similar to dial it right. On some speakers with weird low band roll off, it may not be possible to build the correct synergy. Also, newer subs have the room correction built in.

[The Waco Kid]

just bought an mcd 600 and absolutely love it

[Masterlu]

The Waco Kid... Welcome to AA!

[Craig_B]

Much appreciate the feedback and insight guys, thanks. The listening area is an irregular space - somewhat akin to a loft as it's an open area on the second floor at the top of a flight of stairs - so no wall behind me and high vaulted ceilings. I do like the idea of running the system for awhile without the MEN220 and then plugging it in to see what it can do. If nothing, I will consider selling it I guess.

I reached out to McIntosh directly and this is what I was told:

"The MEN220 should connect between the Output One and Power Amp IN on the back of your MA9000.

You will need to pull out the jumpers between these two connections, between the preamp and power amp sections of your MA9000.
You will be using RCA type unbalanced cables between the MEN220 and the MA9000."

They got back to me within an hour, pretty awesome customer service.

[Craig_B]

Originally Posted by The Waco Kid

just bought an mcd 600 and absolutely love it

Me too, currently sitting in my new McIntosh theater set up - but will be pulling for my two channel listening area.