bump.
I've had the Krell kav 300il, $3500, parasound a21, $2000, Hegel H360, $5400, h590, $11,000 and now Mac Mc611's, $16,000. I only replaced the 300il because it kept melting and the warranty ran out. The A21 looks the part and popping the top is as impressive, but it's the most colored amp I've ever heard, it sounds like it was deliberately voiced to add body to compensate for early digital releases. I like Hegel for the money, but sometimes preferred the 360 to the iron grip the h590 holds on the music. I always thought Mac was must an overpriced brand that charged $$$ for a pretty face and bragging rights. I needed more power and the Mc611's were the first amps I'd had that delivered all the dynamics and texture to music at low volume as well as mid to loud. The MC 611's are the least mechanical amp I've ever heard. Every time I step up my game I say the same thing, 'the boundaries of the listening room are gone and music is floating in space', same line every time.
I've never gotten this level of bass detail and depth before and to do it at low volumes is really new for me. The power meters rarely bounce above 6 watts and most listening is around the .6 mark on the meters. I've only used the 611's with the kef blades so I don't want to give the amps too much credit for the soundstage width and depth, or the precise imaging. Usually as I start watching my accounts catch up I start shopping for my next upgrade. Since adding the Mac components to my Blades I can't seem to find anything else hifi out there that interests me, I've probably said that before also, but time has gone by and I have money to burn yet I'd rather listen to what I have than look for the next best thing.