Mac 30 Monos Drive the Rogers LS3/5a

[TubeHiFiNut]

Finally got the Mac 30 Monos hooked up to the Rogers LS3/5a.

First the Captain Obvious 'No Duh' stuff:

Compared to the JBL 4430, the LS3/5a does not go as low, move as much air, sound as 'big', play as loud.

The LS3/5A is more 'polite', slightly recessed.

I was surprised how quickly I slipped back into listening and enjoying the sound - kind of like slipping on an old broken in pair of fine leather gloves.

I still like these speakers.

On to the Mac 30 monos. I've listened to them at length on Klipsch LaScalas and EV DIY horns - both >100db efficient.

The Rogers are mid 80s but the Macs still drove them nicely.

The Macs don't exacerbate the Rogers mid bass 'hump'. The highs are smooth.

Overall, a very nice combo. I look forward to comparing the Mac to the Marantz 8B on the Rogers.

Here are some pics.....

 

[TubeHiFiNut]

John Coltrane's 'My Favorite Things' is sounding especially nice right now.

Nice space between his notes.

Nice space around the individual instruments.

Maybe a little soft around the edges but that's OK by me.

I can see where some would describe this as 'dated' sound. To me, though, it is a round, voluptuous sound.

So much for sleep for awhile.

 

[billfort]

Interesting David, I'd love to hear that combination. Heard the LS3/5a a bunch of times but never with Mc tubes.

The small Mcintosh tube amps really intrigue me. I've heard a bunch of their amps and they usually leave me cold (literally! ) but I've heard the 275 sound very nice and the 240 even better (especially on Tannoy dual-concentrics) - always wanted to try a 30 or 225 but they're just too pricey to 'experiment' with.

 

[TubeHiFiNut]

Interesting David, I'd love to hear that combination. Heard the LS3/5a a bunch of times but never with Mc tubes.

The small Mcintosh tube amps really intrigue me. I've heard a bunch of their amps and they usually leave me cold (literally! ) but I've heard the 275 sound very nice and the 240 even better (especially on Tannoy dual-concentrics) - always wanted to try a 30 or 225 but they're just too pricey to 'experiment' with.

That's when having a local group of fanatics with a variety of equipment pays dividends.

These Mac30s have really been nice. Going by memory, I believe that I prefer them to the 275 and 240.

 

[Hartge7]

Thanks for this first installment.

My experience with the MC-30 is having brought back one with the 8c and having a single AR-5 speaker. Used that system while in college at work playing records on some turntable. Nice. Have recently, last 5 years or so finally sold the two Mc pieces one going to Perth, Australia, the other to Terry to be matched to another MC-30 for the buyer.
I've had a pair of Luxman MB3045s since 1981 or so and although they spent most of their lives in the boxes, they are now modified to use the KT88 instead of the NLA 8045G. This is my reason to want to see what folks say about these amps and the Marantz 8b, all very well respected and of adequate power but not monsters. The Luxman's are my best sounding amps, the rest being solid state and 100wpc or more.

We have a few folks that do drag gear over here or to other homes where we gather to listen. There is a sweet Sherwood receiver and Bogen amp, both tube that one owns and they both sound very nice on the limited listening I have done. I gotta have him leave these things here once and a while.

 

[TubeHiFiNut]

Hartge7 - I'm happy to report what I hear comparing the Mac 30 amps to the 8B. Unfortunately, I don't have a pair of MB3045s on hand to compare.

I can report that I've been in hog heaven listening to the Mac 30s driving the LS3/5a speakers today. My toes have been tapping and my soul has been rocking!

Even broke out the Hot Tuna records.

 

[Redboy]

Man, I should have kept those MC30s I had...

 

[TubeHiFiNut]

Redboy - Saying those words (with a variety of different components/speakers/etc. in place of 'MC30s') is why I rarely sell anything anymore.

 

[Hartge7]

Man, I should have kept those MC30s I had...

Just find some iron and build you some. I know you have it in you.

 

[TubeHiFiNut]

Some additional impressions.....

As I listen to more music, the 'LS3/5a bass hump' is there but does not seem to get in the way of the music.

There is a 'silky' quality to the overall presentation. Records that I know are 'hot' in the highs are still kind of hot, but much less offensive.

Confirms my observations that this is not as transparent or 'see-through' as other speaker/amp combinations currently in residence.

BUT.....Ultimate transparency can be a two-edged sword and I could easily and gladly listen to the LS3/5a - MC30 combination all day and all night.

Next up, the Marantz 8B - Rogers LS3/5a combination.