417RX7

I have Focal 6-1/2 K2 door speakers that are rated at 100w rms and 200w max, and a 10" Eclipse Alum DVC sub which is rated at continuous power handling of 500W, and music power handling of 1,000W. My question is would it be better to get a McIntosh MC431 or an MC440? The MC431 is 4 x 100w. I would bridge that back two to power the sub and let the front to power the Focals. however it is a dual voice coil sub so it has two hookups on it. so can I bridge the back to and still have it power the sub correctly, or should I get the MC440 which is 6 channel. 4 channels X 50w, 2 channels X 100w, this way I could have the 2 x 100w power the focals and bridge the 4 x 50w to power the subs right? I am new to all this electronics stuff and I just want to make sure what is possible with thes amps and what is the best way to go. thanks in advace.

BOOSTD 7

My opinion, the clean-ness of McIntosh amps is going to be wasted on a sub. But I can understand wanting to keep the same brand of amp throughout the system. Are you determined to build a 1 amp system? Seems like the money that you're willing to spend, it would be better getting 2 amps like a MC427 for the comps, and a MC443 for the sub. But if you want just one amp, I would go with the MC431.

Both the 431 and 440 have dual power supplies, so technically running them for a full system should yield pretty good results. Still, 2 separate amps would be better. The 6 channel offers some interesting options. You could bi-amp your Focals - give the midbass 2 channels, and 2 channels to the midrange/tweets. Then bridge channel 5 and 6. But that would only be a good idea if channel 5 and 6 have their own separate power supply ... don't know for sure.

Honestly, if you really want my advice ... save your money. The difference from a McIntosh amp to a SoundStream amp for example will be so small - especially in a noisy car like an RX7 - that it would be hard for me to justify. You would have to put so much sound deading in the car that it would no longer be a sports car to make it worthwhile.

What do you have for a headunit? Unless you have a high-end Nakamichi, Eclipse, or something with top quality DAC's you won't notice a difference in amps either.

HedgeHog

For Focals, these 2 are the preferred amps for clean sounds...

Audison Amps

u-Dimension Amps especially the Forte.

Tubes are making a comeback but not sure if the RX-7 environment would spell early death to the tubes.

Tubedriver Amps (tube)

Milbert Amps (tube)


417RX7, tell me...how is the detail of the Focals around the tweeter/mid crossover frequency. I love the imaging on the sound board but they become extremely undetailed and muddy at round that frequency. Multiple instruments was a mess. But individual instruments and/or voices was pretty sweet....you can hear the breathiness of a saxophone.

BOOSTD 7

That's one reason I went with my CDT 642DT's. They were a lot better at the crossover points. I had been using Focal stuff since the early 90's, but the CDT's made me a convert.

And I can't imagine using a tube amp in a 7. You would be replacing tubes monthly.

417RX7

My deck is a Pioneer AVX-P7000CD with the AVMP8000R AV Receiver. My original thought was a the McIntosh MC420, but being a mear 4 x 50w I didn't think it would be enough power no matter how under rated it was. Then I thought about the Soundstream Rubicon604, then I got back onto the McIntosh amps by looking in the MC431 And also had the wild idea of the MC440 I am not nessarly set on a one amp system but I was thinking about going to an Ntech battery when I do a front mount and was worried about not having enough juice. How will the MC443 work with the sub being DVC, since that is only a 1 channel amp. I am new to the DVC as well and am not sure how this all works.?

HedgeHog thanks for the links I am looking into those. I haven't been able to listen to my focals for I have not put them in yet. I didn't get to hear the 6 1/2 at the shop when I bought these, but they did have some 5 1/4's that I listen to and was very pleased with the sound quality.

HedgeHog

Hi Gordon,

I'd doubt tube amps in FDs will be worth it...mebbe in an S-Class or Bentley. Tubes will have a warmer, smoother sound. The planar speakers have great height and couple that with tube's wide soundstage makes imaging quite dimensional. Unfortunately, we don't have Apogee or Magnepan car speakers.

I did audition Conrad Johnson pre-amp/amp with my B&Ws (moving magnets) and do like the sound...so i'd say it would work. However, you can prolly get similar sound out of the McIntosh stuff (they remind me of our ancient receivers). What does Wael think of his McIntosh?

Funklord

go for the 4-channel amp.. its probbly smaller and you'd have to do a lot less bridging

BOOSTD 7

Wanna adopt?

BOOSTD 7

The alternator on an FD is pretty beefy, so you would be fine with a 2 amp system. Just get a big capacitor.

There are so many good amps on the market that cost a fraction of what the McIntosh stuff does, I just don't know how you could justify the cost. I recently heard a system based on the Memphis Belle and was really amazed. It's rated at 75x4 and 300x1 @ 4 ohm. I think the sub section is a class D amp, and the rest is an A/B. Just look around and keep your options open. I think you'll find that McIntosh stuff, while very nice, is WAY overpriced.