ML Summit and McIntosh synergy

[M@rio]

Interesting discussion. My dealer suggested the McIntosh tube amp as the best sound for the Summits but it had no life at all. My 80 watt hybrid Unico from the den blew the doors off it. The SS amp was far, far better and I can live with it even though it's a little reserved due to it's great top to bottom balance. I was hoping that the Classe Delta 400 watt amp would have worked since it operates mostly in class A but it shut down as soon as the speakers were connected. Next week I'll be comparing the C2300 preamp to the C2200 to see what that does for the synergy.

Hi Gmartan ! I also have (currently) Unico integrated, but now is time for replacement 'cause I replaced Mosaic's with Purity's and I am going to buy a valve preamp. Check my thread.

Cheers ! :rocker:

 

[gmartan]

Too true

Kind of like recommending McIntosh amps for Electrostatic speakers, which they are ill-equipped to drive.

Tonight my dealer brought back the Classe CA-2200 power amp which was a non-starter the first time we tried it (with McIntosh C2200 pre-amp) because it immediately invoked it's protection circuit. He also brought along the Classe CP-500 pre-amp although I had requested the CP-700 since I had heard the CP-500 and thought it grainy and thin. It still is but the power amp brought back the air and extension to my Martin Logan Summits that the McIntosh MC402 amp lacks. Then.......(drum roll).....we connected the McIntosh C2300 pre-amp to the Classe power amp. What followed was absolutely sublime. Totally involving music with a liquid midrange, firm bass and airy, grain-free highs. This is a terrific pre-amp for music lovers. I could recommend this combo to anyone if you can stand the disparate looks of these pieces. The McIntosh MCD201 also turned out to be a lot better then I thought it was before I was able to hear its full potential. :rocker:

 

[gmartan]

C2300 with your CA-2100

The Current Classe amps are not bad at all and not too spendy. I've used their entry level CA-2100 (100wpc) with the Summits and Vantage with good results.

Good luck on the hunt!

Jeff, when you were testing the C2300 did you use the CA-2100 amp? I just had the CA-2200 back in the house with a CP-500 > pretty dry. With the C2300 pre-amp the sound was just sublime. The midrange is warm and liquid. The highs are airy and grain-free. The bass is solid and balanced. The proper decay of cymbals, the twang of acoustic guitar strings, the decay of piano notes are all back. It just occurred to me that all the best equipment for stats that I have heard used tubes in the front end and direct coupled Mosfets in the power section. :music:

 

[MiTT]

but the saddest part is they haven't had any fun doing it. How boring!

Neil, I don't always agree with everything you write, but appreciate your participation here. This post however is actually a real gem that give me at least an honest insite into your rationalization. The little nugget at the end sums it up quite nicely. Well said.

 

[David Matz]

Why not suggest any of a number of other high quality tube or solid state amps that have absolutely no problem driving the load of the Summits. Let's see, ARC, CJ, BAT, Cary, Pass Labs, Sunfire, Plinius, Krell, Sanders Sound, etc. etc. etc. As much as I know you revere McIntosh, it is not the be-all end-all and is rarely the best choice for electrostats.

I think starting out with 10 or so amps and listening for yourself is great advice. It is possible that the 275 sounds better with the CLS than the newer generation of Logans. That said, I have heard the 275, and per dollar spent used, it is one of the best amps for the Vantage. Once one goes to the next level of the price range, however, there is definitely much, much better stuff out there.