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I'm looking for any recommendations on which Mcintosh ss amps to consider with Klipsch Cornwall. Looking at the 2505 at 50w/ch, also considering the 2105 at 100w/ch. Klipscheads always say go for the lower powered source, but I'm not quite sure why. Is there a chance of damaging the speakers with a higher-powered amp? I do like to crank 'em loud every once in a while.
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Like Marc said forget about solid state amps. I have head the cornwall's with 6550's and EL34's, they both sounded great, but I give it to the 6550's as the had a bit more bass definition. The MC275 sounds great, but it is a bit too much power unless you like it loud once in a while. Some will argue that the MC275 was the last great amp MAC made, but I disagree, as I like their new stuff too. I heard the cornwalls with a Jolida JD302B(EL34's) and that sounded pretty good too. They can be found used for under 1,000 dollars...
With speakers that efficient, what the hell you need 100 watts before? It IS the 1st few watts, and at that tubes rule! I'd get a SET amp, or a little Music Reference RM10, if high quality, moderately powered push pull is desired. I LOVED that little amp, but unfortunately have a brutishly inefficient pair of speakers that wants more grunt than that little gem could provide.
The adage that the 1st watt is the most important is very true with the Klipsch. The statement means that most systems operate in the low power region for the greatest % of time and therefore it is important that amps provide as good or better performance at low power. Looking at most amps, especially ss amps, this does not occur. Typically at low power ss amps have higher noise and distortion components that at the higher levels. If a system can work well with a low powered amp, then there is a better likelihood that at average levels these components will be lower than given an equiv amp of higher power. The ratings of my 250 and 2105 are 50 and 105 wattts. On my Heresy IIs, at normal levels neither gets near max power. The sound in the mids and highs seem more realistic with the 250 at low power and noise level is lower (both are almost nonexistent). The 250 is operating into a greater % of the power bandwidth than the 2105 and hence in a lower part of the distortiona dn noise spectrum. Depending on budget and plans either a 250 or 2100 (or 2505 or 2105) will do very well - excellent with the Cornwalls. I too found the 225 to be the best tube amp and if you cn find 1 go for it.
Thanks for the explanation Brian. I've owned Heresy for 20+ yrs driven by a Pioneer 850. I always felt Heresy were the best 12" speaker around (got them while in college). I recently acquired a pair of old Cornwall and was stunned by the difference in sound. I'd been thinking of and looking at higher powered old Pioneers like the 1050 (120w) or the 1250 (160w), but had always heard that Klipsch did not need nor want more power. So I started thinking maybe the time is right to consider some old Mac which was always out of reach. Started looking at the 6100 and 6200, then figured I may as well look at the separates, thus my thoughts around the 2505/2105 (tubes are still out of my price range!). So based on your reco, I think I'll focus on the smaller Mac amps in the 50w range, closer to the sound I need (and the price range I can afford!). Thanks again.
Well...If you can't afford the tube Mac you desire for your Cornwalls at the moment, then why go for an S/S Mac to begin with? Just kill two birds with one stone, IOW...invest a MINIMUM in a quality S/S match for your Cornwalls, so that you can commit the remaining savings toward your FUTURE purchase of a tube Mac. My suggestion would be to pick up an old H/K 430, 630, 730, or 930 S/S RECEIVER for duty with those Cornwalls until you have the bucks saved up for tubes. Any of these receivers can be had for around 125 bucks or less plus shipping from eBay on a regular basis..in EXCELLENT condition! They are all twin-powered designs, noise-free, have more than enough "oomph" to blow the windows out of your house at moderate volume settings with Cornwalls (even though they are CONSERVATIVELY rated at 25 wpc, 30 wpc, 35 wpc, and 45 wpc, respectively), and they have the added benefit of "woof-ticket"...IOW...when your friends hear the Cornwalls with one of these receivers, and ask you how many watts you are pushing and how much the unit cost, you can laugh as you tell them "this little old mid-70's H/K 430 only puts out 25 wpc, and I got it on eBay for 40 bucks plus shipping"...as you watch their jaws hit the floor! Then you can tell them "I managed to save 900 bucks to put toward a future Mac tube purchase in the deal, too!" If you doubt the performance of these old receivers with your Cornwalls, then go to the Klipsch website forum and ask about them in "two-channel"...you will be getting quite a few responses. Many of the regulars there have found them to be a great S/S match to the Heritage series speaker models, and the best bang for the buck around!
No, if you want something nice for the Klipsch at least it is a winner on my Heresy IIs, I'll let you in on a secret - look for a Philips 785 or 7851 receiver or the larger 796 or 7961. The "1" in the end just denotes the black face version. I got the 785 and hooked it up and the Heresys were just the cat's meow. Everything I disliked about almost everything I heard from the Heresys was gone. I only kept them all these years b/c I had a set of Cornwalls and have missed them since the day I sold them. I just got the 796 and everything the 785 stayed PLUS the bass is even better. The system is wonderful even on classical which I had never thought I'd be able to say about the Heresys. Cost for each was less than $20. I have a Pioner SX525 and with this on the Heresys, I can't stand to listen to the speakers more than about an hour.
From personal experance, I think the lower watts will gige the best sound from those Cornwalls. The very best? Well, that would be the MC 225 tube amp. I have a couple in use, but none for sale, at the moment and you want SS anyway. Next best for you may be a pair of mc 50's. They are early transistor units, not yet fully appreciated for their wonderful performance. Probably still available at a pair for less than a 225 single. I have one only, at the moment. Great amps and perfect for your needs. Sorry, but I only have one at the moment, so cannot meat your needs. I suggest that you watch the eBay auction site for McIntosh items. The smaller watt MAC amps will be less expensive, and will suit your speakers even better than high power units. Far sweeter sounds - trust me.
Thanks James, I just checked ebay and the 225 (and 240) are both going for well over a thousand clams! So for now I think I've got to stay with ss. My theme song: You Can't Always Git What Ya Want...
Didn't mention that I have also experience with the MAC 2505 that you are considering. Have had it so long that I didn't think about it. You will not go wrong there either - and you will not get mine. It is, along with a MX 112 tuner/pre the workhorse in my digs. I have that pair, with a CD input, on a shelf in the front closet and wired to speakers throughout the house and garage and cooking port outside. Before that it was in the main system. I will DIE with that pair......they sound great - and they never, ever need any attition whatsoever.
James
'so you get what you need' - consider fisher equipment.
By the look of your moniker you should tell us
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