It's Decision Time

[crwilli]

The illustration doesn’t tell you what taps to use for your speakers.

To me, it says first, it is okay to use multiple taps on McIntosh Amps (with the Autoformer) and second, what you can effect by your choice.

[FreddieFerric]

Originally Posted by Tony007

It’s all about distortion. Research your speaker’s impedance curve, and note the lowest value along the curve, usually in the bass region. Then simply select the tap just below this value. You will then have the lowest distortion coupling of your 1502 to your speaker and tonal balance will be as intended.

Hope this helps.

Originally Posted by crwilli

The illustration doesn’t tell you what taps to use for your speakers.

To me, it says first, it is okay to use multiple taps on McIntosh Amps (with the Autoformer) and second, what you can effect by your choice.

This is why I like coming here. Always chock-full of quality information, sound theory and level-headed applied practice.

On to a bi-amping experiment this weekend.

[FreddieFerric]

What I love about McIntosh and my MA8000 is that it gives you so many ways to skin a cat (figuratively of course - My kitty wouldn't be amused).

After a bit of further experimentation, that included a brief bi-amping (which did in fact work), I decided to ditch the bi-wire effort and I put the gold plated jumpers back into the speakers binding posts.

Since the MA8000 supports a balanced output 2, I ran a pair of AQ balanced IC's to the 1502 from Output 2, switched off Output 1 and the system plays brilliantly from the 8 ohm tap of the 1502. I'm getting richly texture, detailed and airy highs again (which seemed a bit subdued when running the system off the 4 ohm taps.

I used the extra pair of speaker cables and connected them to the 8 ohm tap of the MA8000 and left the speaker end unconnected behing each speaker. In this way, I can easily switch between the 1502 and go back to the SS amp on the MA8000. Just a simple case of connecting the speaker cables, turning off Output 2 and turning on Output 1.

The only downside is that I had to cannabalize the balanced cables from the Oppo 205 and replace them with single ended. Suppose I'll be in the market for a 2 meter pair of WW balanced I/C's at some point in the not too distant future.

The 1502 is really a fine sounding amp BTW. Really enjoying it. It is a beast of an amp! Heck, everyone should have one.

[miner]

Keep them coming Freddie - my senses are beyond the excitement level.

Interesting way to compare the 1502 to the SS amp of the MA8000. I owned the MA8000 for about three years. Nothing but high marks for that integrated. I, too, have tried biwire in my past experiments and decided a great pair of speaker wires with matching jumpers was my choice of configuration.

[McMan]

I love the ability to bounce back and forth from 452 & to 275.

Congratulations!

[FreddieFerric]

Originally Posted by miner

Keep them coming Freddie - my senses are beyond the excitement level.

Interesting way to compare the 1502 to the SS amp of the MA8000. I owned the MA8000 for about three years. Nothing but high marks for that integrated. I, too, have tried biwire in my past experiments and decided a great pair of speaker wires with matching jumpers was my choice of configuration.

Finally got a short YouTube vid of the unboxing. Please try not too laugh too hard, I'm a rank amateur

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45O7hd-A5A4

[JBT]

Originally Posted by FreddieFerric

Here are a few iPhone snaps...

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by FreddieFerric

Finally got a short YouTube vid of the unboxing. Please try not too laugh too hard, I'm a rank amateur

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45O7hd-A5A4

Outstanding video!

Thanks for posting!!

[miner]

Same platform I had prior to getting the HRS E1 1921 for my MC275MkVI, knowing I would eventually get the 1502.

[FreddieFerric]

Originally Posted by miner

Same platform I had prior to getting the HRS E1 1921 for my MC275MkVI, knowing I would eventually get the 1502.

Make sure you measure twice. The amp is monsterously large. But in a good way...