trknomo, Mcintosh is a controversial brand, many people do not like their sound at all. The entire concept of an autotransformer is completely out of place with a solid state amplfier.
If you are not aware an autotransformer is a load matching device used in tube amplifiers to impedance match the output from the high output impedance tube to the low impedance loudspeaker.
A well designed solid state amplifier doesn't need a load matching device, if you build your output stage well you can power an arc welder with a solids state amplifier.
Most solid state manufacturers do not use this concept as your speakers are now seeing an additional unknown feet of wire wound in that transformer for this reason Mac solid state amplifier have a warm punchy sound, however that trade off is you lose transparency.
The new Krell amplifiers are both warm and full bodied yet have great transparency for an amplifier in this price range. The Krell amplifiers are run Class A which generates that smooth lush sound yet with Ibias the amplifier run a bit cooler then traditional high power Class A amplifiers.
Benchmarks amplifers just sound tipped up and lack the subtitily that a really great amplifier does, they are great cheapie amplifiers if you have a warm speaker the Benchmarks are great, for a cleaner more neutral speaker like the Kefs a warmer more full bodied solid state amplifier would be our choice that is a Coda or a Krell, not a Bryston or a Benchmark.
As per your setup it is all about system matching without knowing your preamp, digital, cables or other information it is hard to speculate to why you prefered the Mc over the other amplifiers.
In our tests with the Kef Reference 5 the Krell was the best sounding amplifier for the price range.
Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ Kef and Krell dealers
If you are not aware an autotransformer is a load matching device used in tube amplifiers to impedance match the output from the high output impedance tube to the low impedance loudspeaker.
A well designed solid state amplifier doesn't need a load matching device, if you build your output stage well you can power an arc welder with a solids state amplifier.
Most solid state manufacturers do not use this concept as your speakers are now seeing an additional unknown feet of wire wound in that transformer for this reason Mac solid state amplifier have a warm punchy sound, however that trade off is you lose transparency.
The new Krell amplifiers are both warm and full bodied yet have great transparency for an amplifier in this price range. The Krell amplifiers are run Class A which generates that smooth lush sound yet with Ibias the amplifier run a bit cooler then traditional high power Class A amplifiers.
Benchmarks amplifers just sound tipped up and lack the subtitily that a really great amplifier does, they are great cheapie amplifiers if you have a warm speaker the Benchmarks are great, for a cleaner more neutral speaker like the Kefs a warmer more full bodied solid state amplifier would be our choice that is a Coda or a Krell, not a Bryston or a Benchmark.
As per your setup it is all about system matching without knowing your preamp, digital, cables or other information it is hard to speculate to why you prefered the Mc over the other amplifiers.
In our tests with the Kef Reference 5 the Krell was the best sounding amplifier for the price range.
Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ Kef and Krell dealers