McIntosh 901 Monoblocks Or Dan D Agostino Momentum S250 MXV ? This Is The Best!

I have spent the last 5 days listening to the momentum s250 MXV power amplifier and now i have a very clear idea of which is the best amplifier between the Mcintosh mc901 and the momentum s250 mxv stereo amplifier. i hope you are ready for this one!
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#mcintosh
#poweramplifier
#sonusfaber
#hifi
#audio
#loudspeaker
#audiophile
#music

[@jaysaudiolab]

If you have enjoyed this type of content where I give you my raw, unbiased opinion on components that I own such as this video then PLEASE SUBSCRIBE NOW AND LIKE THIS VIDEO and I promise you i will give you more comparisons like this as long as i see more people subscribing - thanks everyone !

[@mysticrythems2112]

Jay I subscribed today. You couldn't have made your findings more clear and unbiased in a million attempts.

[@jaysaudiolab]

@@mysticrythems2112 thank you sir - welcome aboard

[@mysticrythems2112]

@jaysaudiolab Jfyi. Currently system here in room #1 is BW 801D4 + BW 12" subs, 888's Moon amps. 850p Moon , 780D. Currently building and prepping room #2 for SF Suprema. Relentless 800's for towers and 1600's for subs. Ambitious but necessary.

[@cantavida]

Jay, what happened to your Gryphon and how would that compare to the McIntosh 901's?

[@jaysaudiolab]

@@cantavidayou’ll know soon

[@audiorick841]

This journey with your Sonos Faber and the Macintosh and D’agostino amps whilst talking about the importance of a good preamp versus direct DAC is probably one of the best videos sets I’ve seen from you. Thank you.

[@jaysaudiolab]

Right on!

[@Coneman3]

I agree it’s not an investment, except to give you pleasure in the years ahead.

[@labgsm8185]

"except to give you pleasure in the years ahead " you mean days ?

[@Coneman3]

Why does Hifi only last a few days??

[@JulioCSolar]

Oh man... I don't know about you, but I'm an engineer and despite having a good job and making a decent salary, I've spent a lot of money in this hobby; at least to much if I consider what I make and all the equipment devaluation; but I can't stop, I like it way to much! I'm a music addict! 🙂

[@AudiolandCH]

😂🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉❤

[@BrettinLux]

The weekend I was fortunate to attend a listening of different systems at one of my favorite stores.I was fortunate to listen to Dan D’Agostino, Macintosh,Linn and NAIM.Speakers were Raidho TD3.8,B&W 801 Signature,802 D4,LINN 360 and Focal MAESTRO UTOPIA EVO.They are all great products but what stood out was the Linn SOLO 800 power amps and the Raidho speakers.What an awesome combination.They amount of bass and how they controlled the speakers was absolutely mind blowing.Nect time you get to Europe make sure you give them a listen 👍👍

[@davidsagarra9841]

Jay, my sincere gratitude for the honesty of the content in all of your videos; you owe nothing to anyone to make you tell lies. I am amazed by the capability of McIntosh amplifiers to reflect large acoustic images from the preamplifier; that is not exclusive from the 901 mono blocks.

[@jaysaudiolab]

I appreciate that

[@Coneman3]

Great content Jay

[@BA-ng7vt]

I fully agree with you. The results would be for sure totally different with other speakers brands like Wilson audio.

[@andreas7278]

top notch content Jay, I love your straight up throwing out whatever you find out, too few do that to the full extend you do it consistently

[@jaysaudiolab]

Thanks ❤

[@enlitenaudio6517]

Great work Jay pioneering effective multiamping in the YT reviewing circle. This will encourage viewers to try the idea. This is something pros have been doing for years with significant improvement. Multiamping reduces inter-modulation (congestion) between drivers if done correctly. Triampng will take it to another level again, separating the drive currents between the LF (subs) and the MF drivers - this is where the BIG currents happen. You should hear faster drums and other MF transients much cleaner. Hats off to SF providing terminals to support traiamping.

[@brentcollins9727]

Well done Jay!!

[@earlebeckford1]

Audio is an investment in my happiness. Nothing reduces stress like listening to my system. It’s priceless.😊

[@a.s.2426]

Agreed on the bloom from a great preamp.

[@imosolar]

Great KZbin review and more of this content. Also please talk about the bass traps you use and do they make a difference in SQ

[@RoniSilva-d4l]

Great video again, thanks

[@jaysaudiolab]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@masamunexc]

Love the videos on the mcintosh products especially. Keep em coming! Can you review some of the cheaper mcintosh amps? MA12000, MA452 with C2800 preamp etc

[@jaysaudiolab]

Great suggestion!

[@soberspine]

Thanks for the video!

[@jaysaudiolab]

You bet!

[@jazzlouise]

Jay, it's nice to hear that the Mac's sound like a perfect fit for your set up and they a bargin in that regard. Audio isn't an economic investment, it's a well being investment if you don't too ocd on the equipment and forget the music.

[@snomofilms]

Great video Jay 🤜🏼

[@jaysaudiolab]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@user-ic4jn4dg4g]

when you tri-amped the speakers, which part of the Macs powered what on the speaker, and also what did the DA amp power?

[@capezyo]

Nice information video thanks Jay

[@jaysaudiolab]

No problem 👍

[@peterc3143]

It always amazes me, how some people say “why would you spend that much money on equipment” The simple answer is, the podcasts would not be as interesting if you only showed more affordable gear. Keep up the great work Jay. Love your podcasts 👍

[@jaysaudiolab]

Great point!

[@parvezshaikhul]

Very well said and Always Honest to the Core wth out Bias.

[@jaysullivan9545]

Good job Jay.

[@MARK111126]

great video,you have fantastic equipment,most could never afford this ,nice one jay

[@jaysaudiolab]

Thanks 👍

[@cesargutierrez4999]

Absolutely agree with the pre amp comment The dac does takes away from the soundstage. Tried it myself with 3 different dacs Even with my systems that are not at the same level as jays!!!

[@dieselbrodeur]

Using a DAC is not not using a preamp in reality. Those DACs have a simple preamp in them.

[@adrianadrianp5305]

Jay, glad you have been honest and put it in context, you prefer the Mac's. I doubt it's power supply directly as 2200 is a large torroidal supply, perhaps the supply design and architecture is less capable of dynamic Current delivery into low impedances, but again I suspect not ?

[@RotatingToroids]

Great video Jay!

[@jaysaudiolab]

Thanks!

[@mt7768]

​@@jaysaudiolabPreAmp is the most important piece of equipment no doubt

[@NoName-nc3qx]

Hi Jay, you can now tri amp your speakers. Use the right pre amp with a possibility for connecting a sub. Then use the mcintosh amps for the mid and highs and the dan dagostino amps for the lows. That would be nice!! Greetings! Thanks for your good work!

[@davep2945]

The thing I like about your channel is you always try to make it clear that there isn't always a "best" product but rather a product that works best in certain applications. So many people don't understand that concept. Whether it's a less expensive amp that happens to pair better with a certain speaker or a listening room that isn't the best shape according to the text books but it sounds better than another supposedly superior shaped room because it allows you to arrange gear in a better manner. Best is what works the best. Not what specs the best.

[@joelanderson7973]

great video!! high dollar gear, fun to watch......keep it up!!!!!

[@jaysaudiolab]

Thanks! Will do!

[@andygrenn680]

Every time I see these high audio videos I get an overwhelming urge to buy more lottery tickets…There is a direct correlation between high end audio and lottery tickets…The acoustics are breathtaking…

[@douglasglanton4966]

Now I get it but do you think by amping sounds better then non by amping like wilson magical or is everything system maching

[@tomclark7551]

Thanks!

[@jaysaudiolab]

Much appreciated!!

[@shield-maiden]

cool video 🙂

[@geir8849]

Love your thoughts about pre amp!!!

[@jaysaudiolab]

Thanks!

[@SUFCDave51]

Great review Jay. In my opinion, the comparison between these two sets of amplifiers is unfair: the MC901 is a far more powerful amplifier and the hybrid design is a perfect match for the SE17's. The S250's simply cannot compete. On the topic of depreciation, does the fact that so many of the stratospherically priced brands instantly lose half or more of their MSRP indicate something? Given that the much more realistically priced Macintosh equipment holds its value tells me that MSRP's are at the correct level. As you say, hifi is not an investment but then consumers are entitled to expect reasonable value for money. Keep up the good work, Jay.

[@jaysaudiolab]

Thanks 🙏

[@mcaxz]

Both are beautiful amps.

[@jaysaudiolab]

They are!

[@VideoArchiveGuy]

As always, a lot depends on what YOU want to get from your system. So many people love Boulder; I've yet to hear them sound MUSICAL. I like D'Agostino, but own Ayre because I found it ti be the best sounding for the price; D'Agostino doesn't bring enough to the table for the money. I don't own McIntosh because, again, it doesn't sound the way that sounds good to me, and I could never do a tube hybrid amp because my system runs 24/7.

[@DrMasonStorm]

Hi Jay! Please also make a video in which you compare/contrast the sound of the Gryphon Apex to the McIntosh 901's on your SE-17's. Enjoying these!

[@jaysaudiolab]

Soon

[@fullranger3435]

Many kudos 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏 for your work and presentation. Very valuable information about how things work in reality, in an ultra hiend audio system. My only concern is your comments on instrument separation and air between them. Don't take me wrong, I don't dispute them, they're definitely correct but limited to and by the music you usually listen to, which is not the ultimate test for an ultimate judgement in this area. It includes a lot of mixing and artificial effects and processing, in the studio. For instance, there are questions about proper virtual recreation of the acoustical environment of a full-scale classical orchestra, that I never got the answers I'd value most, from your systems and presentations. Some extrapolated conclusions I can make for sure but, it's not the same as "going for it". I'm not nudging you into anything, you probably ain't for this task and better keep up with what you excellently do. And we thank you for this.

[@Coneman3]

Good to see biamping 👍🏽

[@KS_1990]

Great video

[@jaysaudiolab]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@markfischer3626]

Ever since I visited audiophile sites on the internet I've been amazed at how emotional, wound up, combative, irrational, and just crazy people get over these machines. I still don't get it. Why does what people think about the equipment get so wound up? Being an engineer I realized 50 years ago that this industry might never give me what I wanted which is what they promised at the time, concert hall realism so if that's what I wanted, I'd have to figure it out for myself. I took it not just as a hobby but as an engineering challenge. It wasn't me against what others had created, it was me against a technical problem. I've never been in this industry. So this project was much more fun for me than shopping and comparing equipment. First I had to figure out exactly what concert halls and other large spaces do to sound. Then I had to figure out a different way to do the same thing. And then I had to adapt it to real recordings in real rooms. It's a tough problem, I didn't expect much. There are a few experimenters who have taken their own unique approaches but most audiophiles never heard of them. I have followed what they did to see how their ideas compared to mine and if there was anything I could learn from them. I'm a happy camper. I have what I always wanted. All that's left to do is enjoy it. I also enjoy these sites. It seems to me the flame wars aren't nearly as hot as they used to be. Maybe I'm just visiting the wrong sites. 😄👍

[@motorcopT2]

I like this guy. Subscribed

[@sdgtech2]

As good as MSB Select 2 DAC with digital director driving direct is very good until you insert a quality preamplifier the presentation is at a whole new level just more engaging. I experiment a lot and ending up having to alternate once a month between a tube and solid state preamplifiers. Yes, I am in agreement about the need for preamplifiers

[@TheGrandPumma]

Good video Jay. Great Comparison on 2 great amps - and a whole slew of good audio advice/info.

[@jaysaudiolab]

Thanks

[@geminijinxies7258]

Bi or Tri-Amping can be really good but a fully active system is maybe the endgame in performance. By not having the crossovers stealing power it will sound like the speakers are able to give almost limitless dynamics!

[@joelowens5211]

Audio is an investment just not the way people think. I listen in my relax room between multi-million dollar real estate deals. I also have a top of the line climate 360 sleep number bed, inground pool inside the house, and a sauna and hot tub. I do not expect these items to monetarily increase in value after I buy them. What I can count on is decades of enjoyment to help how I FEEL on a daily basis with quality of life. That investment helps me perform better in all aspects of my life which helps the liquidity and net worth ( money grow faster ) in and indirect way. How you view living can change sometimes between making 100k, 500k, 1 million, 5, 10 million a year income levels.

[@davidcross890]

Agreed 💯 percent or even earn so much more

[@johnsonadekunle7675]

Words of wisdom.

[@AudiolandCH]

Its an investment in your relaxation and yourself.

[@davidcross890]

@@AudiolandCH 💯%

[@jharloe]

I tri amp my Sonus Faber Adio. It makes a difference

[@davidcross890]

My preamp I am sure will improve several areas of audible system performance and REALISM with any DAC at ANY PRICE

[@supercompooper]

There's so many extreme views in comments these days. People should just sort of relax and enjoy the show. And even if you disagree with someone, be noble about the disagreement. It's hard buddy we're trying to respond to these people I know. You're brave to do it. Cheers man.

[@jaysaudiolab]

Thanks 🙏 ❤

[@dougg1075]

Dang, for another dollar you could have gotten big speakers:) Love the content man

[@jaysaudiolab]

Thanks

[@gil3green]

Well put, Its all in the set up and having a good marriage between components! Nice work, should wear a white lab coat with your logo on it.

[@jaysaudiolab]

Great idea!

[@oliver8210]

I am always surprised about so quick judgement, Jay you should surely wait more time to burn the Momentum. And once you should try several cables combinations. Synergie is key

[@gadymarcus2362]

Bella/Magnifico.💕✡️✡️✡️✡️✡️✡️

[@thomassannito3528]

Jay,this reminds me of bi amping my Kappa9 speakers back in the late 1980's...l always thought bi amping sounds amazing.....can you please bring in the Mcintosh 2KW for evaluation...

[@jaysaudiolab]

Someday

[@ridirefain6606]

It is absurd that when someone has procured for themselves an expensive piece of audio equipment. Instead sharing in the joy, the ignoramuses will come out of the woodwork to deride the component. I see this only within the Audio hobby. If this video was about a rare baseball card, firearm, car, boat, or motorcycle there would be crickets. The kicker is these commentors are folks that either listened these items in passing or never at all, so have no real idea as to what makes the piece in question worthy of its lofty price tag.

[@Mark-lq3sb]

I bet my money on, never at all. You're correct. It seems to be a big deal in the audio world. I believe the thought of never being able to buy very expensive audio equipment really weighs heavy on some, not all. I include myself in the not all. I look at it as I enjoy what I can afford and I'm very happy to learn about the equipment that I can't afford. For example, when Jay showed us the CH pre and what it can do. I've never owned a pre that was capable of that. I found it interesting.

[@jaysaudiolab]

@@Mark-lq3sbthanks ❤

[@donmassad6650]

My one comment is that the D Agostino is not a good fit for the current set of speakers. I could hear an immediate difference compared to previous videos with the 901’s. Still, the explanation on connecting the amp.s to the speakers was very informative. I am sure with the right speakers the DA amp.s would perform perfectly. I enjoyed this video.

[@jaysaudiolab]

Thanks for sharing!

[@cirenosnor5768]

The richer and less analytical sound along with a bigger soundstage and more body from the Mac is probably due to the tube circuitry. Meanwhile the better bass response from the Mac is its solid state circuitry. Think we all know that an aspect where solid state amps excell above tube designs is bass response. While tube amps usually excel with musicality, a bigger soundstage n’ such. So, it makes sense that a hybrid tube amp where the bass is handled by solid state circuitry would give the best of what tubes and solid state have to offer

[@paatras]

My Mission Pilastro have 95dB sensivity and they also can tri-amp

[@sfulmer430]

How do the 901s compare to the 3050s?

[@jaysaudiolab]

Can’t say

[@CarlVanDoren61]

It's not a hobby. It's a passion Lead by example, not w demos

[@JamesWilliams-gf8gm]

Having heard both brands I would honestly take the Mac across the board. I just find their presentation more enjoyable for long loud listening session.

[@JingoLoBa57]

At the level of Eversolo, a combined preamp streamer is ok for that price category. As you said. Most here can’t relate to your level of experience and equipment. I’m not sure those not in this market are able to relate to your experience, some are open to new experiences but as a personality trait it’s normally distributed. 50% are strong on this and 50% are weaker in this trait.

[@andrismorozovs2399]

Tri -amping !!! 👍 - Jay, you on right track !!!💥

[@a.s.2426]

What if the DAC has an analog volume control section?

[@jaysaudiolab]

Meh

[@a.s.2426]

@@jaysaudiolab Got it. Agree.

[@hazzy9079]

Think you'll do just fine without the glaring light, Jay 👍🏼

[@jaysaudiolab]

That's the plan!

[@InPursuitOfLiberty]

I love these 901s. But recently I discovered ATC active spkrs and was blown away! These spkrs are tri-amp class AB and the clarity, soundstage, precision, focus, imagining was like something I never heard before! I came to the conclusion that you don't really need to spend big $ on amps when all you need is a really good active studio monitor and really good preamplifier. Before all you audiophiles lose it in me, try these ATC active monitors.

[@jaysaudiolab]

Glad you like them!

[@christofferekman8497]

The SE17s are an incredibly heavy load for any amplifier. Not a surprise the the larger McIntosh works better in this application.

[@jaysaudiolab]

Agreed

[@user-vr3sq1kq6i]

Nobody ever told you ultra high end was an investment - least of all JAY

[@jaysaudiolab]

Yes sir

[@anthonyfender72]

I can’t figure out what ethnicity you are with your very unique accent. Im guessing you are Cuban, is that correct?

[@jaysaudiolab]

I am a citizen of the world

[@anthonyfender72]

@@jaysaudiolabindeed, and an audiophile guru!!! I love your reviews.

[@jstenufjstenuf6798]

Why does ethnicity matter?

[@anthonyfender72]

@@jstenufjstenuf6798 who said it matters ?

[@vincentvdvelde]

You are using the ultra pads upside down 😮

[@jaysaudiolab]

I asked how to use and they said try both ways

[@timschutte3961]

Most people are stuck in a certain mindset about brands or any other thing in life and some are just jealous i guess haha so don't sweat it Jay!!

[@jaysaudiolab]

Thanks

[@Mark-lq3sb]

Jealousy rears it's ugly head...

[@davidcollins8150]

Jay - you should order in the Mark Levinson Daniel Hertz M1 statement system - 223,000 Euros. Amp/Preamp/Dac (in one chassis) and four relatively small gauge wires (provided) with the M1 Speakers (bi-wired). Pair with a Mac Mini you have a 7 wire system including power, source and speaker cables. Add a power device inline and you get to 6 cables. Clear out all of the other gear in your screen view and see the listener response. Let us know your listening findings!!!

[@jaysaudiolab]

Nah I’m good

[@Skyshakerrrr]

I think that's a great idea. The most revolutionary thing that happened in the last 50 years of audio. A chip that can rival and most cases defeat the biggest amp brands. Class d and the sea chip are going to change the game of hifi in the future.

[@ronjones6253]

The 901 is not a hybrid it is a “dual mono block amp” Engineered for “bi-amping.

[@Mark-lq3sb]

You might get an argument with McIntosh over that statement.

[@brentcollins9727]

McIntosh calls their tube/solid state components hybrids.

[@rickyblair2375]

Keep it real and not hurt someone’s feelings. Not possible.

[@beyondonethousand]

Correction Jay. 180lb amplifiers. 😊

[@jaysaudiolab]

You are correct

[@user-eh3qz4zv1o]

Dan Agostino I think put to much $ into the looks of his gear. Yes they are the best in looks, but something that pretty should sound the best of all gear!

[@spacejaime]

2,200 VA transformer, not 2,200 kVA. Cheers!

[@raymaksimavicius4902]

VTL with Vandersteens blow away Jays crap. The truth is in the listening.

[@jaysaudiolab]

Cool 😎

[@robertmeyer7664]

I still like your Mcintosh 901

[@brentshock3787]

All this high end gear is over priced, the result of too many hands in the cookie jar. I would never deny a man a fair living but new equipment markups are generally starting at 100% and beyond… so yes Jay, Audio gear makes for bad investments but being raped with excessive mark ups should be criminal.

[@brentshock3787]

and let me add, the very dealer(s) that grossly profit from our desire to own a product are the same clowns that offer half the purchase price for trade in value… crooked as hell.

[@brentshock3787]

and thank you Jay for finally reviewing the 901. Now take you yourself up to Paragon Sound in Ann Arbor and fix their setup, you and I spoke on the phone before I drove up to Paragon with intent of leaving with a pair of 901s. These amps presented like shit and I left. Based in my first hand experience with the amp in a McIntosh global house, I was very surprised with the outcome of your review. I left Paragon convinced McIntosh had mastered their marketing while forgetting to build a product that aligned with their marketing and crazy prices. And yes, I still feel this way.

[@VideoArchiveGuy]

@@brentshock3787 Tell me, how precisely is your dealer supposed to pay their employees, pay rent for the property their business is on and keep the lights on? They don't “grossly profit” as much as make a fair profit; their margins are no better than and often worse than your local Ace Hardware or your local grocery store. Check out what your grocer sells milk for as compared to what the dairy farmer gets paid for that milk.

[@VideoArchiveGuy]

@@brentshock3787 Many people make comments like that, but never reveal the ancillaries. What cables did the dealer use - interconnects, speaker and power? Did they do any power conditioning? Which speakers did they have connected? What was the source of the music? Was the amp warmed up when you heard it? Was the system broken in? Did Paragon say they had never heard the 901s sound better or did they say it sounded "off?" I guarantee you I can easily make ANY product sound like complete and utter garbage just by mixing and matching with other component that same dealer sells. Likewise, I can't tell you the number of $1M system "flagship" systems I've heard at shows and dealerships that sounded horrible to me.