McIntosh bass

[Charles]

I know that there are numerous owners of McIntosh tube power amplifiers on AA. This would include current tube power amps plus vintage power amps like the MC2000. One of the first sonic qualities that I noticed was the difference between my MC1.25KW's and my MC3500's. Nothing is more true concerning the high end than the uniqueness of our ears and how our choice of gear pleases them. So here is the question to those who own Mac tube power amplifiers: How do you like your bass and could you describe why it pleases or displeases you?

I will answer for myself that I have not had my 1.25's in my system since I have owned my 3500's. I truly enjoyed my XVX through my 1.25's but for me the difference was and is not subtle. It's a more dynamic faster fuller resolved bass. I have many jazz albums that have soft bass. My 3500's have weight and beauty with my XVX that my 1.25's don't have. My XVX are an extremely difficult load in the bass but will do 110 dB at 24 Hz at less than 1% distortion and are -3dB at 15 Hz. I run my XVX off the 4-ohm tap because it is a 4-ohm rated speaker. One of the most interesting characteristics of XVX woofers is that I have never seen the woofers move, no matter how loud the bass. I have a good friend who has had the same experience with his XVX. He used the word "shocked" to describe how little the woofers moved. The XVX is probably the most demanding load of any speaker regarding bass. It is capable of enormous almost unlimited output in the bass. While playing Midnight Hour (The Rascals) at an insane level (85% volume) the L channel did shutdown. The impedance is simply brutal. So what are your experiences regarding your bass with Mac tube power amplifiers, if you own a Mac tube power amp?

Best

Charles