It's Decision Time

[Antonmb]

That particular edition (Daniel Barenboim on Decca) can be found on Qobuz here for either download or streaming.
https://www.qobuz.com/us-en/album/be.../b5d3rzr4q4mlc

[FreddieFerric]

Originally Posted by Antonmb

That particular edition (Daniel Barenboim on Decca) can be found on Qobuz here for either download or streaming.
https://www.qobuz.com/us-en/album/be.../b5d3rzr4q4mlc

Nice find Tony. Thanks for posting. My server is acting up this morning and doesn't want to boot. Damnit!

[FreddieFerric]

Originally Posted by Charles

Freddie, I use a SS D1100 for my pre and DAC. I actually would prefer the SS pre over the tube pre. I would think long and hard about replacing your amplification if I were you. I don't know if you accomplished your system by a well thought out plan or sort of stumbled into it, but what you have is close to perfect.

Probably a combination of both (as with almost all of us, Ivan being the exception) and also the perfect gear must become available at the right time. The MA8000/1502 is perfect for your system, including your speakers.

For your next upgrade I would go with the largest Canton. Tube amps are very different than SS. The quality of sound does not change as the tube amp approaches clipping.

Dan D'Agostino's 10% rule with SS amps will never change. That's why the Relentless is called the largest small amp in the world: it is 100% true Class A for the first 99 watts. This covers 99% of the power needed for reasonably efficient speakers. IMO, SS Class A is the absolute best, but there is a huge price to pay.

With a tube amp like the 1502 you get at least 150 beautiful tube watts (the amp will do at least 200 at the 8 ohm tap) of constant quality all the way up to clipping. I believe you could run a Reference 1K with a 1502 easily.

I have been able to turn my XVX up to ridiculous levels with my 3500 (350 plus watts both channels) with no signs of distress whatsoever or change in sonics. In general, SS amps need to loaf along to sound their best, not so with well designed tube amps. That's the magic of tubes, IMO, among other things.

Best

Charles

p.s. Mac makes two stand alone Phono pre's.

Thanks for the input on the SS pre Charles. As far as speakers are concerned, there are no upgrade plans for me. I love these Canton's in every way and the pairing with McIntosh amps is just about as perfect as you could ask for.

Everything that I purchased over the years to get to this point hasn't been according to any type of plan, but rather the result of a lot of careful research and patience. All of my expensive gear came with a full right of return if I didn't like it (excepting the tape decks and the Oppo 205). Funny thing is, I never returned one single thing. So I guess you could say I'm happy with the synergy.

I posted another video to my channel to illustrate how quickly I can switch from a SS presentation back to a tube presentation. Take a look at it and tell me the number you saw.

[Charles]

Freddie, I really enjoyed the video. I believe redundancy this day and time very essential to a high end audio system, providing it is of excellent quality. This you have with your current setup. If the 1502 goes down, I believe Mac will act quickly to repair it, but quickly can mean 6 weeks, even longer.

I read the review of your Cantons. I didn't realize what fine speakers they are. They are large and powerful and ultra end. It's great to find a speaker that's a keeper, and you have.

Looking forward to the next videos.

Best

Charles

[FreddieFerric]

Originally Posted by Charles

Freddie, I really enjoyed the video. I believe redundancy this day and time very essential to a high end audio system, providing it is of excellent quality. This you have with your current setup. If the 1502 goes down, I believe Mac will act quickly to repair it, but quickly can mean 6 weeks, even longer.

I read the review of your Cantons. I didn't realize what fine speakers they are. They are large and powerful and ultra end. It's great to find a speaker that's a keeper, and you have.

Looking forward to the next videos.

Best

Charles

The tape deck video I mentioned a few weeks ago is up now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMQ5M8UVN2Q

[miner]

Very nice and detailed tape presentation Freddie. Your two decks look pristine. Have they been rebuilt?

[FreddieFerric]

Originally Posted by miner

Very nice a detailed tape presentation Freddie. Your two decks look pristine. Have they been rebuilt?

I wouldn't say "rebuilt" as in from the chassis up or out, but they've been fully calibrated and have had several parts replaced. I use Skywave Tape Deck Repair in Chicago. Sam is getting hard to convince to take on any new work these days, but I'm not concerned as he did a great job on both decks and they both perform perfectly.

Thanks for watching.

[FreddieFerric]

I got a shock utility bill in two days ago. I've been leaving my gear turned on quite a bit lately and now it has me wondering just how many watts of power the 1502 draws,... even at idle?

Of course Mc doesn't provide this spec in their manuals. So, does anyone know how many watts the 1502 and MA 8000 (or similar Mc amps) draw when just sitting there turned on? Would also be nice to know how much juice they consume when playing around 60%.

[cleeds]

Originally Posted by FreddieFerric

... wondering just how many watts of power the 1502 draws,... even at idle? ... does anyone know how many watts the 1502 and MA 8000 (or similar Mc amps) draw when just sitting there turned on? Would also be nice to know how much juice they consume when playing around 60%.

Something like this will answer your questions. Some models also measure Power Factor.

[FreddieFerric]

Thank you kind sir! I just ordered it and will post results of what I find once it arrives.

This goes a bit off topic, but my electric provider has now tiered their "energy charges" into three levels. Up to 1000 Kw, then the next 500 Kw, then everything over 1500 Kw. Who the hell uses less than 1500 Kw a month?

It's a total rip-off!!!