Do I Have A Favorite PowerAmp Out Of My 20+ Amps?

[@ld4974]

I saw 20+ amps and clicked out of curiosity. It's good to see someone who really enjoys their gear.

[@MixMatchStereo]

I love this stuff, it's my passion, please don't stop the music.

[@longshot9078]

nice set up !!! i still have a ADCOM GFA555 II, along with the SANSUI 9090DB receiver bought it and my SANSUI SP-X8900 speakers when i got out of the navy way back in the 70's! the adcom i bought latter. have allways wanted a Mack but could never afford 1!! you have a very nice set up enjoy it!!

[@MixMatchStereo]

Thank you my friend, I still have a working Adcom GCD 750, it took me awhile to be able to get my first McIntosh, the McIntosh 400,I know the feeling, "Go Navy "

[@jb.2986]

MC402 is a beautiful beast of an amp. Great pick Sarge.

[@MixMatchStereo]

Thank you very much my friend, I love that monster.

[@jakedavis2838]

Those dual MC 275 look good too!

[@MixMatchStereo]

Thank you sir.

[@markclark1605]

You have some awesome gear! Wow!

[@MixMatchStereo]

Thank you very much my friend, I think my two oldest pieces, is my Sunfire Signature power amplifier, and my Sony 777ES Sacd/Cd player,I had them both for twenty four years. So a lot of years collecting and holding on to stuff.

[@craigboyd6600]

I just connected my 1974 Pioneer SA 7100 as a pre to my monoblocks ! Great sound also.

[@MixMatchStereo]

@@craigboyd6600 it's all about the music.

[@MrRonnmaui]

Nice story. I went from Dynakit mono blocks, to a Pioneer, to a Luxman L100, to a Kinergetics, to a Adcom GFA555ii, to B&K reference, then to a Peachtree, and next to Luxman L100 again! I love the old stuff.

[@MixMatchStereo]

Thank you

[@georgea8522]

You got a very interesting topic to listen, learn, and talk about but if you don't mind trying to up your volume a little so we can hear the full content, thank you!

[@MixMatchStereo]

I noticed that as well, I bought a new Tascam Portacapture x8, as soon as I figure it out, I'll use that for audio, I played back one of my videos and noticed the same, thanks for tuning in.

[@michaelgreen7842]

Quite the collection of power amps. I've got lots of questions about them. You traveled far to pick up amps at Overture

[@MixMatchStereo]

I live thirteen miles from Overtures, I'm truly fortunate. The power amplifiers are my favorite component.

[@MixMatchStereo]

I forgot to mention my Modwright Instruments KWA 150 SE power amplifier and my Morrow SP7 speaker cables.

[@markclark1605]

Modwright is some good gear! Reviews are impressive from what I see!

[@MixMatchStereo]

@@markclark1605 I love the vision of Dan Wright and the Modwright Instruments Team.

[@Retro_Analog]

Sarge has an amp arsenal ‼️ I'd love to see how you manage multiple sets of speakers in your listening room.

[@MixMatchStereo]

Two in two out,whenever the mood hits to hear something different.

[@Retro_Analog]

@@MixMatchStereo 💪🏽💯

[@MixMatchStereo]

I do have quite a few, I love power amplifiers,I really do, they fascinate me, how they anchor ⚓️ down the system and keep everything together, the rhythm section along with the speakers.

[@tonniecooper3859]

That's some awesome equipment you have my friend. I'm down in Augusta, Ga, I retired after 32 years. I have a old Carver M1.5t amp that I upgraded the capacitors which I have hook to a set of 2.1 Bob Carver Phase Linear Andromeda III"s. I have newer equipment but I restored the Carver equipment myself, so it's near and dear. Great Video! You have a new subscriber!

[@MixMatchStereo]

Thank you my friend, greatly appreciate you.

[@adaboy4z]

My favorite amp is my Yamaha B2 fully restored followed by my Yamaha R-1000. I'll never part with my B2. I'm digging all your McIntosh gear!!

[@MixMatchStereo]

I'm a McIntosh die hard, I love the sound, I love the look, and they last for generations.

[@uncola6028]

so powerful looking. also the amps are cool too :D

[@MixMatchStereo]

Lol

[@timemonte5]

It so good to see Black audio files. I am a brother and a that is a Audio file. I love Naim and either Wilson or speakers or Focal. I I love Macintosh audio as well as . Brother, I Love your system. Very impressed. Much Love and success to to you and Brother.

[@MixMatchStereo]

Thank you very much kind sir, I love the Focals as well, great speakers, Wilson's rules.

[@craigd7738]

You are like a mad scientist lol Keep on keeping on!

[@joehalo]

Lovely system!

[@MixMatchStereo]

Thank you very much.

[@craigboyd6600]

Love to see it! What are you primarily playing music wise? I almost grabbed a McIntosh over the holidays. Went cheaper with a Rogue Audio tube pre 😊 Also considering bi-amping but wasn’t sure if the quality would improve. I’m running Monitor Audio PL200 from PS Audio monoblocks from Rogue Audio RP1 and a RME ADI dac and Eversolo A6 streamer.

[@MixMatchStereo]

My primary would probably be my cd players, followed by iMac to the Prima Luna dac,the Cambridge Audio Networks Streamer, CXN, followed by my, vpi classic 3 turntable.,bi amp setup is all about separation of channels,,less likely to have any bleeding or cross talk between channels, less strain and stress on the amplification, which should result in better performance and sound, in my opinion.

[@MixMatchStereo]

Rogue is a very nice brand, I almost bought the tube power amp,I forgot the model number, my audio salon, Overture carry the brand.

[@richardelliott8352]

anticipation is one of the unrecognized joys of life.

[@MixMatchStereo]

Totally agree.

[@67spankadelik]

What a beautiful site! I'm slightly jealous.

[@MixMatchStereo]

Thank you very much sir.

[@jaycoleman8062]

You could probably heat the whole floor with those tube amps. ❤

[@MixMatchStereo]

That's a good idea!

[@richardelliott8352]

anyone spending two grand for speaker connects, as this guy did, would be will served to learn how human hearing works as only a very subjective process of the brain, and probably a little basic electrical laws wouldn't hurt. I was very interested in an opinion from someone who seems like a nice man with experience owning , and paying for, such a variety of amplification. regretfully, his audiophile goals are very different from mine. I would never purchase a needlessly expensive system interconnect, because I know the science and hate even the thought of having my trust abused by a phony product.

[@MixMatchStereo]

It's whatever makes your boat float,one man's medicine is another man's poison, none of us are alike and it's OK to be different, some people vote republican, some democrats, it's all good, thanks for tuning in.

[@Chahtawarrior31]

Thanks DevilDog! Semper Fi and Can Do OORAH

[@errolallen5007]

I wanted the MC462 and I waited a long time before I got one. When I was deployed on the Texas border I saved my perdiem and got one in 2022😂

[@MixMatchStereo]

Now that's a monster amp, I love that one, I love the hand rails as well which makes it somewhat easier to move around which mine doesn't have, glad to have you home safely, Semper Fi and happy listening.

[@crankthetunes7989]

You probably got those giant arms from switching in and out all of those heavy McIntosh power amps!

[@MixMatchStereo]

You got that one right, I bought the 402 in 2009, so benn moving in around for a while.

[@MixMatchStereo]

Also the 402 uses Autoformers not Transformers,transformers or used on tube amplifiers.

[@NathanMcCrackan]

Nice!!!!

[@MixMatchStereo]

Thank you

[@bigmacfullerton7870]

Alright well which one sounds the best? 😂

[@MixMatchStereo]

I can't answer that, I love the way they all sound, some sound different than others, I love them all.

[@bigmacfullerton7870]

@@MixMatchStereo Is all your stuff super high end or do you have anything that doesn’t break the bank that you can recommend? What do you think of the Yamaha A-S801?

[@MixMatchStereo]

@bigmacfullerton7870 trust me my equipment is not super high end, don't know much about the Yamaha, but I have owned two Yamaha integrated amplifiers in the past, the DSP A3090 which I loved and the A1,both were Yamaha Flagships at the time, so I highly recommend Yamaha products, just don't know much about this one, but I will check it out.

[@MixMatchStereo]

@bigmacfullerton7870 I did a little research on the A-S801 from what I dug up, it should be a good purchase, the USB dac sounds impressive, cd direct, pure direct, all sound good, 100watts, good power, I would feel safe with this purchase, it's always best to listen to a product before you buy, but I have purchase before without the audition, sometimes you just have to take that chance, go for it, happy listening.

[@bigmacfullerton7870]

@@McBeakerson Nice. I have a 20 year old Yamaha AV HTR 5790. Even though the thing sounds pretty good I always regretted getting this 7.2 channel AV receiver because I never ended up using the surround. I have wanted a true 2 channel stereo amp ever since. I have done a ton of research and it keeps bringing me back to the A-S801. There is an open box return for $650. I think I’m going to grab it.

[@Carl-yx1ww]

Yoooo my bro forget the amps look at the arms G 😮😅

[@MixMatchStereo]

110 pounds McIntosh, 150 pounds Mark Levinson 💪.

[@MrTuffarts]

Maybe step up your favourite mic

[@MixMatchStereo]

Yes sir I thought about that, I probably will head in that direction, I love the Shure 🎤 microphones.

[@paulhenner8914]

THEY ARE ALL MCINTOSH.................................................... and with a turntable you can't really be an audiophile LOL

[@MixMatchStereo]

I need a new cartridge or get it retipped,my needle fell out, I guess to much cleaning between albums, it's always something.

[@paulhenner8914]

Get a good CD player and you problem will be solved. !

[@MixMatchStereo]

@paulhenner8914 I play cd's and stream more than I play vinyl, so I was some what baffled, when I saw it missing.

[@DodgyBrothersEngineering]

Sorry to say my friend but you are not an audiophile, you are a brand junkie, this is further underpinned by your readiness to quote praise reviews (most of them mean diddly squat). The only persons ears that matter are yours. I understand sentimental attachment to a piece of equipment, especially if we have paid a lot of money for it, but that should not hinder you ability to pick a favorite. Amplifiers are not children, they are means to an end, they are equipment that helps an audiophile enjoy their music at a peak performance level. There is no way you should be able to listen to a tube amp like the 275 and then something else, and not be able to say I like this one better than I like that one. If you're worried that you are going to hurt one of the other amps feelings, DON'T, they are electronic equipment, they don't have feelings. Allowing emotions to play a part in your equipment decision is the best way to wind up with a horrible sounding system. You want to be emotionally moved by the music they play, not be emotionally attached to the equipment, that just makes removing a non performing piece all that much harder. I have a couple of Rotel amps (1 x 2 channel, 1 mono) worth about $6,000 sitting in boxes because I like something better. Does it smart not being able to put them to use? Sure, but I am not about to sacrifice sound quality just to use them. In my opinion they are probably the best looking amps I own, but I don't listen to looks. Although having said that my Halcro amp isn't an ugly amp, it just lacks the visual impact of the Rotel. Is the Halcro my favorite amp? Probably not, that probably belongs to one of the least attractive amps I ever owned a Butler Audio tube hybrid. I reluctantly sold that to my brother in law because it was night and day difference on his system, and that is where that particular amp needed to be. Without the ability to discern and judge how one piece of equipment sounds compared to another, you are never going to reach audio nirvana.

[@MixMatchStereo]

You are absolutely right, I'm not an audiophile, and never claimed to be, I'm a music lover who loves to tinker, I have audiophile friends who sometimes gets on my nerves, just set down and enjoy the music, you don't have to dissect every piece of music or have a negative opinion on things that you don't like, man if it produces good music I'm happy, I will never forget where I came from in my musical journey, and how I enjoyed my music on my one piece Sound Design stereo system that I paid three hundred dollars for, so no I'm not and audiophile, but I like what I like as we all should, I buy the brand that I like, that's my choice, spending a lot of money on equipment, and having a mega dollar system doesn't make you a audiophile, it is the connection between you and your system, when you set down in your listening chair for hours on hours and don't want to move, when your eyes sometimes water up, because your system and you are in the moment where nothing else exists or matters, that what I shoot for, none of the silliness, it's the connection for me, and the joy getting there, thanks for tuning in, let's keep chatting it up, it's all about the music 🎶

[@MixMatchStereo]

Also my friend, I bought the McIntosh before I found the reviews, it's just a good feeling when a reputable magazine like The Absolute Sound recognized something already in your system with two Golden Ears awards, and yes I subscribe to the magazine, I use to subscribe to about Five different magazines, some collapsed some I lost interest in why do I subscribe, to see what's out there in audio land and what's coming down the pipeline, you learn what's out, then you auditions what peaks your interest, I'm fortunate to live 13 miles from one of the world's high end salons and have been attending audio shows since 2000,enjoy the music.

[@DodgyBrothersEngineering]

@@MixMatchStereo you don't need to spend a lot of money to be an audiophile (although it is very often the way) it is more about seeking music perfection by continually searching and refining the system. Like you I started from humble beginnings 40+ years ago with a cheapish 3 in 1 system when I was 14, then years later when I had the money progressed to a Yamaha RX-V 795, and I have been upgrading components and speakers ever since, having spent more tens of thousands than I wish to count. Totally agree some people never get to enjoy the music because they are so busy critically listening to their systems. I think there is a time and place for both. Not all listening needs to be critical listening. When you are adding components for the first time / through to burn in period you need to be be listening for subtle changes as the system improves, mentally noting the differences between components. But once you are satisfied with the sound it is time to sit back, crack open a bourbon, turn off the light and sit back and fall into the music. And if you have done it right the tears will start to flow as you are engulfed by the sound. Anything less just won't do for me. Obviously not all music is going to move you to that degree, but it should be like honey in your ears, non fatiguing and can be enjoyed for countless hours at volume. Last time I felt the urge to upgrade was about 12 years ago. After going through about half a dozen pairs of Sonus Faber speakers I felt the need to step up again. Only problem was the next step up was about $45,000 for speakers plus components on top of that. I had the money but was on the fence whether to buy them or not. I ultimately decided to go the active crossover DIY open baffle route. I still spent a ton of money on high quality drivers, but decided that I wasn't going to pay some name brand a whole lot of money for a pretty looking speaker box. This is where sound becomes more important than looks. I don't regret going the DIY route, and it left the last set of $17,000 Sonus Faber speakers in the dust. Even though I probably spent around that on the new setup.

[@DodgyBrothersEngineering]

@@MixMatchStereo you need to take a lot of reviews with a pinch of salt, while I think you can get a general idea of the equipment from a review, or a salesman, it is important to go well beyond both of them. Way too often the people writing the reviews are directly or indirectly paid to say nice things about products. So you always have to be wary of reviews and awards products have received. I remember probably 20 years ago looking to buy a new amplifier. The amp the salesman was trying to sell me was $10,000 and a big name brand which I can't currently think of. I wasn't really all that impressed with it. Not sure it was any better than what I currently had, so you need to be very careful of being pushed into a sale because they believe in it, not what you are hearing, but you have probably experienced that yourself already. Basically all I am saying is that money doesn't always buy quality in certain products.

[@MixMatchStereo]

Once again you are correct,I have a Will Vincent Dynaco ST-70 that I have ,that I paid $800.00 for , it's lime green, it runs el 34 tubes,i hade it now for about 15 years,I love the sound quality, so it don;t take a lot of money to get good quality sound. @@DodgyBrothersEngineering

[@SGM007]

That's some awesome equipment you have my friend. I'm down in Augusta, Ga, I retired after 32 years. I have a old Carver M1.5t amp that I upgraded the capacitors which I have hook to a set of 2.1 Bob Carver Phase Linear Andromeda III"s. I have newer equipment but I restored the Carver equipment myself, so it's near and dear. Great Video! You have a new subscriber! Sorry Sarge, @tonniecooper3859 is the wrong sign-in name. Please don't respond