Sleigo
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Speaker match
bierfeldt
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I would consider neither. Both are wonderful sounding speakers but your room is huge and neither of this is particularly efficient. Additionally, the MC-275 is an awesome amp but it is only 75w per channel.

I would look at more efficient options that will be a little easier to drive. I really like the Focal Kanta No 2 or Sopra No 2 with that McIntosh amp. Very musical and quite a bit more efficient.

The Paradigm Persona is also an interesting choice. I think the 7 is in your price range. Neither will be as neutral as the Dynaudio or the Kef but both are great sounding and will do a better job in that large of a room.

Sleigo
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Thanks for the input... do you think adding a second MC-275 and running each side in mono, or linking the 2 would help, or do you think neither speaker is approp for a tube amp or would I be better with a single higher powered amp for the room size?

bierfeldt
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No question the Dynaudio is a better choice for a large room. A bigger speaker will move more air and be better suited to a very large room. You might also look at the Magico A3 as it is similar in size, full range, etc... and is the same price at $10K. Same efficiency as well.

Is 150w/ channel enough though if you added a second MC-275? That is a great question and depends very much on your listening habits. There is nothing inherently wrong with running tube amps with any of these speakers. I have heard the Dynaudio Contours driven by VTL amps and they sound spectacular. The issue is if those MC-275s will deliver enough power for your listening room and that can't really be answered till your get them in the room.

I know that is not what you want to hear but it is the reality. Others may have a firmer POV but I would be wary. For almost $16K in equipment, will your dealer do an in-home demo for you?

Catch22
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It really all depends on how loud you intend to listen to your music. Everything that you mentioned would work fine together off of the 4 ohm taps. Most likely, at the levels you would normally listen to music, the system would have plenty of power to satisfy and then some. However, if you know you like to rock it loud and proud on a regular basis, a room that size needs considerably more power. I bet it would be a lot louder than you think it would be with just the tube amp.

Sleigo
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I am playing a Coltrane CD right now using my old Monitor Audio Silver 8s and one MC 275. At 85 % it blasts.... not sure I need much more. Will try vinyl, but don't usually play this loud anyway!

Catch22
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Keep in mind that if you conclude you need more loudness, even a little bit more loudness, you need a lot more power. That's a hard concept to wrap your head around...at least it was for me. A doubling of power, say to 150 watts, would only yield an increase of 3db in loudness. Kinda makes you wonder if it would be worth it, huh?

If you are satisfied with the loudness, you're golden.

bierfeldt
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The MA Silver 8s are a very easy to drive speaker. The Dynaudio and the Kefs both require a little more power to deliver the same volume. Additionally, they are just harder to drive and may not open up as much with 75w of power. You would not harm them in any way. But you may find the sound at middling volumes could get thin. It also may not get thin and sound great. That can’t really be answered till you get them in your room. If you are going to spend that kind of money, you should be aware there is some risk. I have had this happen with a couple of speakers in the past .

As a side note, I saw a lightly used pair of The Dynaudios available from The Music Room in CO. I have bought a couple things from them and know others who have as well. They are an A+ used dealer and you will get what they describe. If they are in the right color, would give you more of a safety net if you need to add the second amp or give you several thousand dollars to spend on something else.

Sleigo
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Thank you for your helpful input... Music Room already sold those Dynaudios. Maybe I should just stick with my Silver 8s, which sound pretty good, but I am also intrigued by some of the tube mono blocks for sale at Music room.
Please feel free to keep me posted with great ideas

bierfeldt
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I bought a pair of VTL MB-185s from them and they are spectacular. I ended up opting for those over the MC-275. That being said, the MC-275 is an extremely high quality and ultra musical amp. You will probably see a bigger improvement by upgrading your speakers.

The Silver 8s are wonderful speakers and IMO, one of the best values in audio. You can get improved resolution and a more three dimensional soundstage with a higher end pair. The Dynaudio’s are amazing. You could also look at a pair of Wilson Sabrinas or maybe a used pair of Wilson Sasha 2s. The Magico A3s and the Spendor D9s deliver sound to die for. These are all speakers that will have decidedly different sound profiles compared to the MA Silver 8s and deliver on detail and improved soundstage.

And I would reiterate listening the Focal Kanta and Sopra 2s are also worth your time. Particularly with that Mc amp. Really special speaker. If my wife would have let me spend $16K on anything, I think it would have been the MC-275 and the Kanta No 2s. Also, a used pair of Revel Ultimate Studio or Salon IIs would also be worth looking at.

Sleigo
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In no way did I find the Dynaudio Contour 60s underpowered with a single MC 275. Absolutely incredible sound at volumes I don't even need, and also at regular volumes. Blown away

bierfeldt
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That is fantastic. Glad to hear it worked out without needing the second amp

JCapps
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Don't mean to butt in but this is similar to what i'm wondering. I'm new to all this so bear with me. I recently just inherited a McIntosh MA6200. I want to hook up a record player to this, but was also wondering if it was a good idea to hook a phone up to this to play other music i haven't bought on vinyl yet. Also wondering what speakers would pair well with this system. Again this is all new to me but i want to do it justice.

bierfeldt
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What kind of budget are you looking at? How big is your room? What kind of music do you listen too and how loud do you listen?

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