My new 'toy' !!!

[basite]

Last night was (dare I say it) magical.

yesterday we went to pick up my new integrated amp, after waiting (and working) one and a half month.

and I do have to say,

.
.
.


those blue meters are even better than I imagined they would be :arf:



http://gallery.audioreview.com/data/audio//500/IMG_0295.jpg
they're nice aren't they

http://gallery.audioreview.com/data/audio//500/IMG_0302.jpg
more of them...

http://gallery.audioreview.com/data/audio//500/IMG_0303.jpg

http://gallery.audioreview.com/data/audio//500/IMG_0304.jpg

http://gallery.audioreview.com/data/audio//500/IMG_0314.jpg

http://gallery.audioreview.com/data/audio//500/IMG_0322.jpg

here it is at night, we played with lightning a little, it's impossible to photograph without the extra light...

http://gallery.audioreview.com/data/audio//500/1180055439_d55fff4eca_b.jpg

that's it for now, next photos when the rack is finished (which might take a few weeks, it'll be pretty heavy constructed and completely veneered, that takes time)

so anyways, In case you hadn't noticed, I got a Mcintosh MA-6400 integrated amp.
I also upgraded my cables to Kimber 4VS.

and I love it! I love the look of it, the feel of it, the sound, everything!

It's a wonder, sound is amazing, it's much more life like, never harsh, never boring, it's perfect, I don't think I'll be needing a new amp for the next years, this thing is amazing!

It doesn't only look high end, it feels high end too actually, the front is glass, fully metal knobs, really well built.

It's really big too, and heavy! (it dwarfed my denon integrated in every possible way) inside there are pretty big heatsinks, a really big tranny and 2 huge 30.000 µF caps (60.000 µf alltogether, that's 12.000 µF more as a parasound halo A23 !) all high quality parts everywhere, drop dead georgeous looks (including the blue meters :))

So I now officially belong to the Mcintosh family, I don't know how often it happens though that a 17 year old buys himself a Mac :)
it was the best 'birthday present' I could wish, as we picked it up at my birthday...
so I'm off now, gotta do some more listening

ow yeah, nearly forgot:

Happy B-day JRA!
have a great one!

Keep them spinning,
Bert.

[Feanor]

Last night was (dare I say it) magical.

yesterday we went to pick up my new integrated amp, after waiting (and working) one and a half month.

and I do have to say,

..
those blue meters are even better than I imagined they would be :arf:
...

that's it for now, next photos when the rack is finished (which might take a few weeks, it'll be pretty heavy constructed and completely veneered, that takes time)

so anyways, In case you hadn't noticed, I got a Mcintosh MA-6400 integrated amp.
I also upgraded my cables to Kimber 4VS.

and I love it! I love the look of it, the feel of it, the sound, everything!

It's a wonder, sound is amazing, it's much more life like, never harsh, never boring, it's perfect, I don't think I'll be needing a new amp for the next years, this thing is amazing!

It doesn't only look high end, it feels high end too actually, the front is glass, fully metal knobs, really well built.

It's really big too, and heavy! (it dwarfed my denon integrated in every possible way) inside there are pretty big heatsinks, a really big tranny and 2 huge 30.000 µF caps (60.000 µf alltogether, that's 12.000 µF more as a parasound halo A23 !) all high quality parts everywhere, drop dead georgeous looks (including the blue meters :))

So I now officially belong to the Mcintosh family, I don't know how often it happens though that a 17 year old buys himself a Mac :)
it was the best 'birthday present' I could wish, as we picked it up at my birthday...
so I'm off now, gotta do some more listening

ow yeah, nearly forgot:

Happy B-day JRA!
have a great one!

Keep them spinning,
Bert.

Bert, congradulations. I'm on record as loving the look and feel of Mac. Yes, a youngster like yourself deserves kudos for going after the likes of a unit like this. McIntosh has a great and enduring reputation. Admittedly the only McIntosh I've owned was a C712 preamp, and that only briefly, but I did like it lot.

For those who would like more technical details the MA6400 and most other Mac units, check out Berner's Site ...
http://www.berners.ch/McIntosh/en/Frame_McIntosh.htm
(click on 'Integrate amp').

Also the Roger Russell site ...
http://www.roger-russell.com/amppre.htm

Say, maybe your next upgrade will be some new shelves, eh?

[jrhymeammo]

Great, now we are all forced to upgrade our gears, cuz we can't have you playing around with with one of the greatest receivers ever made.:cornut:

This is super insane, Bert. Probably the nicest thing a 17 year old could ever own, or any age for that matter. Looks like you worked very hard this summer to get what you want, and I dont think you could've acquired anything better. GREAT CHOICE!!

I still can't believe you got it.

I dont even know what elese to say anymore, except HAPPY SPINNING!!

JRA

[GMichael]

WOW! That MA-6400 looks fantastic. And I bet it sounds even better than it looks. Great job picking this baby up, at any age. I wish you many happy years together. You deserve it.

[kexodusc]

One of my very favorite brands in all of audio. Keep hoping to find one covered in dust at the back of a pawnshop...someday.

Congrats dude, that's a nice unit!

[dogorman]

The beauty of owning something like this at age-17 is that, in the very long run, it will save you a ton of money because you'll (basically) never have to shop for amplification again, ever.

And yes, by the way, the rest of us are definitely eating our hearts out.

[basite]

thanks for the comments :)

I didn't expect that it would drive my speakers this good actually, but I'm spinning Shirley Horn now, and it's hovering around 0.1 watt, nudging 1 watt (sometimes 2 watts) and I'm getting nice results now, good for evening listening, a few moments ago I was 'testing' it a little by playing trentemoller - the last resort and massive attack - mezzanine and it nudged 40 watts there for a moment, turned it up a little more so it hit 100 watts for a blink of a second and that was loud :)

although loud is a wrong way of saying it, the sound doesn't go 'loud' but it kinda 'grows'...
I've played lots of cd's already today and yesterday too, I was mighty impressed, everything sounds so real, voices are like the real thing (everything else is too btw :) ).
also one thing that I instantly noticed is how quiet it is, I played some of the cd's Bernd sent me as a musical care package (Thanks again btw), and they were drop dead quiet!
I think I should move my system to a bigger room for a few days (like the living room or so :ihih:) to see what it can really do...



Say, maybe your next upgrade will be some new shelves, eh?

shelves (home made, of course) are being worked on at the moment, but veneering takes time... :cornut:


Keep them spinning,
Bert.

[dogorman]

What is the "sensitivity" rating for your speakers? I only ask because it might not be such a big surprise that 1 watt is plenty at normal listening levels. 90db is about all the sound that most people can take if they're trying to do anything else at the same time (or, for some people, even if they're not), and a speaker with a 90db sensitivity will need one watt to make that much sound.

You either already know what I'm about to say because you're smart enough to buy a Mac (probably), or haven't yet heard this because you're 17 (unlikely), but the reason this spec is so important when matching speakers and electronics is that it takes double the power -- regardless of starting point -- to make each 3db increase in sound. That means that a pair of 84-db speakers will require 32 watts (not counting headroom) to make the same amount of clean sound as 1 watt into a pair of 99-db speakers. ...Not that anyone other than Klipsch (ack!) is making speakers with that high a sensitivity.

It's not exactly relevant for this, celebratory thread, but just for the record the reason the amp is only needing 1 watt to make the sound you want has as much or more to do with the speakers.

[basite]

I'm not entirely sure about the sensetivity rating on my speakers, they're stacked advents, I believe a single pair of advents was like 88 - 89 db @ 1meter (maybe a little less) stacked that sensetivity increases with 6 db, however, due to some troubles with phase interference between the bottom pair of tweeters and the top pair of speakers, I disabled the bottom pair of speakers and set the top pair to 'increased' so I think the sensetivity rating is still around 90 db @ 1 meter, maybe slightly more...

at normal listening levels (as I said before) it's averaging 0.1 watts (one tenth of a watt) with peaks of 1 watt, and sometimes 2 watts (I should have said that the 1 & 2 watts were on peaks :))

[Feanor]

I'm not entirely sure about the sensetivity rating on my speakers, they're stacked advents, I believe a single pair of advents was like 88 - 89 db @ 1meter (maybe a little less) stacked that sensetivity increases with 6 db, however, due to some troubles with phase interference between the bottom pair of tweeters and the top pair of speakers, I disabled the bottom pair of speakers and set the top pair to 'increased' so I think the sensetivity rating is still around 90 db @ 1 meter, maybe slightly more...

at normal listening levels (as I said before) it's averaging 0.1 watts (one tenth of a watt) with peaks of 1 watt, and sometimes 2 watts (I should have said that the 1 & 2 watts were on peaks :))

My doubtful understanding is that the sensitivity, (actually the output), with two identical drivers is +6 dB, but only if they are identical and are positioned within 1/8 of a wavelength of each other. Your two Advent Tweeters would not meet the proximity condition, (hence you get interference, i.e. Dopler effects, depending on the listening position). Your woofers would meet the proximity definition only towards the bottom in their range, not up close to the tweater crossover point. (This is why I'm doubtful of the Dual Advent concept, though a lot of people think it's great -- the corresponding drivers are not close enough together to ensure blending, and that aspect is exacerbated by the fact that the tweaters aren't aligned vertically.)

[PeruvianSkies]

McIntosh's are built like tanks, yet sound so smooth and warm. I don't think you'll ever regret getting that baby. You'll get bored with your speakers long before that amp.

[nightflier]

Basite,

Where did you buy it? Is it new or used? Can we ask how much you paid for it?

I'm only asking because when I was 17, I worked a whole summer to buy a casette-playing Sony Walkman, the iPod of my generation.

[PeruvianSkies]

Basite,

Where did you buy it? Is it new or used? Can we ask how much you paid for it?

I'm only asking because when I was 17, I worked a whole summer to buy a casette-playing Sony Walkman, the iPod of my generation.

iTape or iCassette just doesn't have the same ring to it does it???

[kexodusc]

My doubtful understanding is that the sensitivity, (actually the output), with two identical drivers is +6 dB, but only if they are identical and are positioned within 1/8 of a wavelength of each other. Your two Advent Tweeters would not meet the proximity condition, (hence you get interference, i.e. Dopler effects, depending on the listening position). Your woofers would meet the proximity definition only towards the bottom in their range, not up close to the tweater crossover point. (This is why I'm doubtful of the Dual Advent concept, though a lot of people think it's great -- the corresponding drivers are not close enough together to ensure blending, and that aspect is exacerbated by the fact that the tweaters aren't aligned vertically.)
I'm with you on this - all depends how they're wired, of course, but I assume it was parallel? When you wire an identical driver in parallel you get the +6dB boost, in series you get 0 dB effectively.

[E-Stat]

I'm with you on this - all depends how they're wired, of course, but I assume it was parallel? When you wire an identical driver in parallel you get the +6dB boost, in series you get 0 dB effectively.
The best way for doubling Advents is to run them parallel where most SS amps also put out more power at the nominal 4 ohm load (which falls to 2.3 in two ranges - so not all amps are happy here) and to use separate speaker cable runs. You definitely get +6db when run that way. All Advents take a bit of space between them and the listener for the drivers to blend optimally, but stacking them in a quasi D'Apolito arrangement noticeably improves their apparent image size.

I run a Threshold Stasis 3 amp (400 watts/4 ohms) with my double New Advents and find that I rarely run higher than -20 db (about 4 watts) which is LOUD. Because of their Scream Machine Roller Coaster impedance curve, they really need a bit more DF than the 6400's 40 to sound their best IMHO.

rw

[E-Stat]

...due to some troubles with phase interference between the bottom pair of tweeters and the top pair of speakers, I disabled the bottom pair of speakers
That is not inherently a problem using double Advents. Perhaps the wiring was reversed or the crossover network changed when the non-standard woofers were installed in your first pair.

rw

[JohnMichael]

Bert that is one incredible amp. I bet Shirley Horn sounds sweet. Good job young man.

[bobsticks]

Congrats, Bert!! I know you've been waiting for this for a hot minute and now comes the fun part--the spinning. Welcome to the pitch black deep background and smooth transparency. Aaahhh, lovely...

Peace

[basite]

Thanks :)


Basite,

Where did you buy it? Is it new or used? Can we ask how much you paid for it?

I'm only asking because when I was 17, I worked a whole summer to buy a casette-playing Sony Walkman, the iPod of my generation.

sure you can ask :)

I bought it in at a Mcintosh dealer, it is used, but not abused, I paid €1600 (Mcintosh is pretty expensive here in europe, the retail price (new) was around €4500)

I've been spinning the albums that Bernd sent me for days now, along with even more albums of my own :)

Keep them spinning,
Bert.

[nightflier]

I bought it in at a Mcintosh dealer, it is used, but not abused, I paid €1600 (Mcintosh is pretty expensive here in europe, the retail price (new) was around €4500)

Mmmm, I know I'm in the minority here when I say I'm not too fond of the McIntosh look (still looks to antiquy for me), but there are some other amps in that price and performance range I wouldn't mind owning. What keeps sticking in my mind is what dogorman said, about this being such a good investment over time. These past few years, I've literally replaced my whole two-channel system from top to bottom at least three times - but if I had an amp with the kind of pedigree that yours has, that would have been two components less I would have replaced (amp & preamp).

It also allows one to become truly familiar with the sound of that component so that everything else connected to it and exchanged over time becomes peripheral - i.e. it becomes the baseline for everything else connected to it. How many of us can say that a specific piece of equipment is the constant in their systems, without wishing for something better? In that respect, the cost, over time (not to mention the health benefits brought on by the peace of mind), becomes an afterthought.

Yes, you could own this amp for 20-30 years without ever wishing for anything more. McIntosh is certainly not the most expensive out there, but it's reputation for reliability, quality, and for some, looks, make it a piece worthy of heirloom status. Heck, some McIntoshes sell for much more used than what they cost when new - how many manufacturers can make that claim? I bet there are many audiophiles out there who would rather own a Mac than an amp twice its price, or maybe at any price. I can't think of many other brands out there that carry that kind of reputation (Levinson? Krell? Dynaudio?).

So yes, the amp was an extremely good investment.

[bobsticks]

First, to 'flier I would say I completely respect your view and preferences as far as appearances go. Different strokes for different folks and variety is the spice of life and all that...plus it might mean mean more Mac gear for me :)



How many of us can say that a specific piece of equipment is the constant in their systems, without wishing for something better? In that respect, the cost, over time (not to mention the health benefits brought on by the peace of mind), becomes an afterthought.

So yes, the amp was an extremely good investment.

It's funny because I was just saying this to another member yesterday. In analyzing the many areas of opportunity in my system I was asked about an amp change. The response was swift indeed. I've heard alot more "hi-fi" sounding amps but mine reliably presents music the way I want it to, and for significantly less than similar options. Sure, one of those big WAV VAC tube anvils would be the definition of heaven on earth but...

Bert, I hope you get as many hours of enjoyment out of your new baby as I have mine.

Peace

[jrhymeammo]

Congrats again, Bert.

I'm very curious to hear about the built-n phono stage in your Mac. Looks like it is capabile of handling low output moving coil such as your 103 @ 22K. Alot of people use LOMC with 47K phono stage with extreme VTA to compensate for the bright sound stage. I can;t remember if your TT had a VTA adjustment, but I'm wondering if it's something you can achieve by adding thicker mat.

ps - you need to stop staring at your meters:)

JRA

[PeruvianSkies]

I am torn on the look and can understand nightflier's viewpoint as well, but anyone who has heard and used their product know that the glowing green lights mean very little when the sound is soooooo superb. What I can appreciate about McIntosh is that they have kept the same look and feel of their product and now it has a very vintage/retro look, which is kinda neat, but again...their quality has never been in question!

I have a friend who has been an avid McIntosh user for many years and his joke is that when the nuclear bomb hits the only things left besides Cochroaches and Cher's nose will be his ams!

[basite]

Congrats again, Bert.

I'm very curious to hear about the built-n phono stage in your Mac. Looks like it is capabile of handling low output moving coil such as your 103 @ 22K. Alot of people use LOMC with 47K phono stage with extreme VTA to compensate for the bright sound stage. I can;t remember if your TT had a VTA adjustment, but I'm wondering if it's something you can achieve by adding thicker mat.

Haven't tried that, it's a moving magnet (only) phonopre in the Mac, dunno wether it will work, but I'll try, since I'm curious too :)



ps - you need to stop staring at your meters:)

JRA


I can't, they're too attractive :)


I am torn on the look and can understand nightflier's viewpoint as well, but anyone who has heard and used their product know that the glowing green lights mean very little when the sound is soooooo superb. What I can appreciate about McIntosh is that they have kept the same look and feel of their product and now it has a very vintage/retro look, which is kinda neat, but again...their quality has never been in question!

I have a friend who has been an avid McIntosh user for many years and his joke is that when the nuclear bomb hits the only things left besides Cochroaches and Cher's nose will be his ams!

the sound is more than superb, and I think the looks alone are worth buying it, but that's my opinion :)

and yes, they are built like a tank :cornut:



Bert, I hope you get as many hours of enjoyment out of your new baby as I have mine.

Peace

I will, trust me :)

Keep them spinning,
Bert.

[Rich-n-Texas]

Maybe when I become president of Texas Instruments I'll be in a better position to buy one myself! :biggrin5:

Congrats on your purchase Bert. It must be something for your ears to behold. :thumbsup:

[GMichael]

Just for the record, I like how it looks.
Wish I had one.

[Feanor]

As more than one person has observed, appearance-wise you either really like McIntosh or your really don't.

I'm in the former camp. I love all McIntosh generations including the current one, but I do wish they go back to the all metal knob, i.e. without the black centers, like they used back in the '70s
...

[E-Stat]

Mmmm, I know I'm in the minority here when I say I'm not too fond of the McIntosh look (still looks to antiquy for me), but there are some other amps in that price and performance range I wouldn't mind owning.
Me too, but that's simply an aesthetic observation. In my case, I recall the insipid sound of the Mac gear I first heard in their dark days of the 70s (C-28, MC-2105) and went seeking and found better. At the time, they were also preoccupied with THD which we all know to be a largely useless metric. Which likely explains why their stuff measured fine, but sounded poor at least when compared with gear like Audio Research, Mark Levinson, etc. Having said that, their current product is quite different and much improved.


McIntosh is certainly not the most expensive out there, but it's reputation for reliability, quality, and for some, looks, make it a piece worthy of heirloom status.
Agreed. Quality and factory support have always been first rate and resale is excellent for most models.

rw

[basite]

Just for the record, I like how it looks.
Wish I had one.


never stop wishing, look where I got with wishing :)

[nightflier]

Well looky here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/McIntosh-MA6400-Hi-Fi-Integrated-Amplifier_W0QQitemZ200142286878QQihZ010QQcategoryZ 3280QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[jrhymeammo]

I was under the impression that yoru MAC has a LOMC phono input with a switch.

Can anyone tell me what this statement means?

SENSITIVITY
Phono: 2.5mV for rated output, (0.5mV IHF)
High Level: 250mV for rated output, (50mV IHF)

I thought this High Level input is for accommodating low output cart.

Is it just another JRA moment?

btw, I LOVE the apperance of MAC.

JRA

[PeruvianSkies]

never stop wishing, look where I got with wishing :)

and just think...if you think the Mac sounds good now, wait til you get some speakers that will show off that sound even more!

[basite]

I was under the impression that yoru MAC has a LOMC phono input with a switch.

Can anyone tell me what this statement means?

SENSITIVITY
Phono: 2.5mV for rated output, (0.5mV IHF)
High Level: 250mV for rated output, (50mV IHF)

I thought this High Level input is for accommodating low output cart.

Is it just another JRA moment?

btw, I LOVE the apperance of MAC.

JRA


it's switchable between a MM phono input (Phono) and an aux input (High level) the aux is just a regular Line input, for a cd player or so...

However, i'd like to try the phonopre, I just don't have a good MM cart :(

[SlumpBuster]

Hope its not too late to offer a congrats. :D That is just too bad ass. I know your putting together a new equipment rack for it, but I think its kinda cool having it on cardboard boxes. It lets everyone know where your priorities lay. :D

Also it is amazing how getting an amp with power meters helps you realize how meaningless "watts" really are. I still have not gotten my meters above 30 watts with 93db sensitivity speakers. :D Too loud!

Oh, and put me down for a vote in favor of Macs looks.

[basite]

Hope its not too late to offer a congrats. :D That is just too bad ass. I know your putting together a new equipment rack for it, but I think its kinda cool having it on cardboard boxes. It lets everyone know where your priorities lay. :D

Also it is amazing how getting an amp with power meters helps you realize how meaningless "watts" really are. I still have not gotten my meters above 30 watts with 93db sensitivity speakers. :D Too loud!

Oh, and put me down for a vote in favor of Macs looks.


thanks, I hooked up the Mac to dad's B&W 604's, and then played some tunes, some of the tunes were pretty 'amp-unfriendly' and the meters went up all the way to 200 watts from time to time, that was loud too :)

down here in my 'mancave'/bedroom, I rarely hit 40 watts, with the 'not-hyper-sensitive' advents :)

I've been surfing the web looking for new speakers, and I must say that I'll be spending alot of time in various high end shops in the near future, there are just so darn much speakers out there :cornut:

my current speaker 'shortlist':

Monitor Audio RS6 or rs8
dynaudios (mainly their entry level speakers)
Focal chorus 836 or 826
B&W's from the new 600 line
maybe totem arro/sttaf
maggie mg12 (although my room will hate them, and so will mom)
maybe dali's
triangles from the esprit esw line, probably the antal esw or the celius esw
maybe KEF (although I didn't like them that much last time I heard them)
used vandersteen 2's, maybe 3's
some wharfedales
some castle speakers
when the price is reasonable:
audio physics (entry level of course, they are pretty expensive)
sonus faber

so I will know what to do during the next year :)

Keep them spinning,
Bert.

[PeruvianSkies]

thanks, I hooked up the Mac to dad's B&W 604's, and then played some tunes, some of the tunes were pretty 'amp-unfriendly' and the meters went up all the way to 200 watts from time to time, that was loud too :)

down here in my 'mancave'/bedroom, I rarely hit 40 watts, with the 'not-hyper-sensitive' advents :)

I've been surfing the web looking for new speakers, and I must say that I'll be spending alot of time in various high end shops in the near future, there are just so darn much speakers out there :cornut:

my current speaker 'shortlist':

Monitor Audio RS6 or rs8
dynaudios (mainly their entry level speakers)
Focal chorus 836 or 826
B&W's from the new 600 line
maybe totem arro/sttaf
maggie mg12 (although my room will hate them, and so will mom)
maybe dali's
triangles from the esprit esw line, probably the antal esw or the celius esw
maybe KEF (although I didn't like them that much last time I heard them)
used vandersteen 2's, maybe 3's
some wharfedales
some castle speakers
when the price is reasonable:
audio physics (entry level of course, they are pretty expensive)
sonus faber

so I will know what to do during the next year :)

Keep them spinning,
Bert.

The first thing that struck me would be either the Totem's or the Dali Grand Coupe. Maybe check out ProAc too. Are you thinking full floorstanders or what?

[basite]

I'm thinking floorstanders, but not *HUGE* floorstanders.

I'll have to face it sometime, it doesn't matter how much I love my double advent system, they are just too big for my room. I'll keep them until they fall apart, literally, but they just don't do the trick in my room, maybe later, who knows...

this doesn't mean that I'll be going to tiny bookshelves though, I don't believe they can really give the sound of a big instrument without blowing themselves up. So I'll be looking for normal sized floorstanders, which will work in my room, and fill it with sound.

my budget will probably be limited to about €2000 though, so proacs will be difficult :)

maybe I'll be hearing some speakers on my list this sunday already, going to my high end dealer, seems that the Mcintosh needs to be looked at, the left channel puts out slightly less power than the right one, could be almost anything, that's why I'm going, no worries though, it's still under warranty, so probably the fix is free :)

Keep them spinning,
Bert.

[nightflier]

This is a shameful plug (since I own a pair), but I think it would be worth your while to add the Quad 22L to your list - reasonably small footprint, not too hard to drive, gorgeous cabinetry, by-ampable, bass down to 30 Hz., smooth tweeter, and good pedigree to boot. I bought mine for $650 (US) used and I think they run about $1700 new.

[basite]

sir,
consider these added to my list :cornut:

6 and 7 october, there is a pretty big hifi (high end) show in brussels, I'll be going there, maybe the list will become endlessly long then :)

[PeruvianSkies]

This is a shameful plug (since I own a pair), but I think it would be worth your while to add the Quad 22L to your list - reasonably small footprint, not too hard to drive, gorgeous cabinetry, by-ampable, bass down to 30 Hz., smooth tweeter, and good pedigree to boot. I bought mine for $650 (US) used and I think they run about $1700 new.

Yeah, that would be a nice speaker to demo with your stuff. Obviously Basite you are well on your way with your audio goals, but I would keep in mind a few things. What I have learned over the past few years is that I need to be mindful of short-term and long-term audio goals. In other words, is the investment in (fill in the blank) going to be something that stays with me for 5-10 years, 10-20 years? Or is it simply something for right now, but I will most likely upgrade when I can. There are several approaches to doing these types of investments. The first way is to gradually progress until you finally get what you want. In doing so you spend money in increments on small price-tagged items and then either by trade or selling you eventually save up enough money (plus the trade-in or sale value of what you currently have) and get the next best thing. This can go on for years. Start out small and then work yourself higher on the audio food chain. Most people go this route because it gives you something now and gives you the ability to work towards something.

The other approach is to just save save save until you drop the entire bomb on the biggest baddest (fill in the blank) piece of equipment. This takes patience and time to finally get it, but the reward is heavy when it comes time to cash in. By doing this method you typically don't get anything in the middle to satisfy what you have. This is the route chosen by few because WE audiophiles want it here and NOW!

In your case you are very young and have many many years ahead of you and the audio world awaits patiently. You have already accumulated what some can only dream of and you are only 17! That's sick! Anyway, it seems that you have the patience and the insight to make it the long haul and there is no doubt that on your current path by the time you are 30 you will have one of the best systems in the world. So, if that is your goal (and I am not saying that it is) than I would begin by making an "ULTIMATE" list of what you would really want if money was no object. Then, gradually work your way towards each of those components....maybe the Mac is already in that list, so consider it checked off! You can easily build around that piece as well. While you might enjoy your Advents, selling them might be a better return because once you get some seriously high-end speakers....it'll be like "advent who???". I am not bashing Advent by any means....but you get the idea.

Good luck and good night!

[basite]

problem is that the money one could get by selling the advents is so little, that I could better keep them (store them or just leave them where they are and place other speakers next to them or so) and build an all vintage system with them later on...

anyways. I am probably going to go that barely walked route, and will wait till I get enough money to get a dream product. The thing is that I would need something to start with first. and those speakers are for next year(s), after that I will save money till I can get what I dream of. The advents are too big for my room, and even if I had the best front end in the world, that fact wouldn't be changed. So I'll look for new speakers next year. and if I find some that sound extremely good to me (that will fit my budget) I might buy them, if not, I will wait another year and try again, that time, in a higher budget range...

Keep them spinning,
Bert.

[PeruvianSkies]

problem is that the money one could get by selling the advents is so little, that I could better keep them (store them or just leave them where they are and place other speakers next to them or so) and build an all vintage system with them later on...

anyways. I am probably going to go that barely walked route, and will wait till I get enough money to get a dream product. The thing is that I would need something to start with first. and those speakers are for next year(s), after that I will save money till I can get what I dream of. The advents are too big for my room, and even if I had the best front end in the world, that fact wouldn't be changed. So I'll look for new speakers next year. and if I find some that sound extremely good to me (that will fit my budget) I might buy them, if not, I will wait another year and try again, that time, in a higher budget range...

Keep them spinning,
Bert.

One other option might be to invest some of your savings.

[Bernd]

.....Bert on the new arrival. Sorry for being late. The amp certainly looks sweet. You have now a great foundation to build your system around. Take your time with that and get to know the Mac. really well first.
Wishing you many great musical moons ahead.

Peace

:7: