Accuphase DG-68 McIntosh MEN220

[Sephiam]

New here, but 40 years of listening (all genres). I recently acquired Accuphase gear for my main room system, moving my C-J and Mc gear to another room. (see "signature" for equipment). Main room is a med-large family room 15' front to back, 25' long wall where equipment and speakers are placed, 20' ceiling, a bit of echo. Love my SF Maxima Amators, but began researching options (Magico A5, YG Summit) to gain a little more "slam" for rock music. Now I'm thinking "why not DSP?" Thinking of Accuphase DG-68, or at lesser $$ the McIntosh MEN220. Either would be inserted between the preamp and amp connections on the Accuphase E-5000 integrated. Any experience or opinions? Thanks very much, and I appreciate all the posts I've reviewed here on various topics.

 

[jpwelcher]

At one time I had a McIntosh MEN200 in my system. With Wilson Watt Puppy 7s the MEN220 increased my listening pleasure. When I updated the speakers to Sash DAW, I preferred listening to the system without the MEN220 engaged.

In my system with my ears, I noticed two distinct traits about the MEN220. One it primarily impacts the lower mid-range and bass frequencies. Depending on your rooms effect on the sound it can improve the punch, warmth and fullness of the sound. Second, I noticed a reduction in fine details. A notes attack and decay seemed to be muted.

 

[KrellFan1]

Second, I noticed a reduction in fine details. A notes attack and decay seemed to be muted.

Interesting; I am actively considering the purchase of the MEN220. Listening to 2.0 ONLY via my Lyngdorf MP-60 SSP I was stunned to hear how it handled my files. It did not sound quite as "dynamic" as the same music played through my Antipodes K41 and K22 - Tambaqui - Makua - Krell amp. For example, I observed nominally more detail and certainly an iron grip on my two REL 212/SX subs. When switching to the Tambaqui Makua it was evident for the first time that I was hearing a wee bit of distortion. For sure the Tambaqui DAC is superior to the Lyngdorf for stereo as it should be for the money. And the Makua preamp is also an outstanding piece. My thought was that dropping the MEN220 in between the preamp and amp would be "next level." My room is treated but clearly not sufficiently treated, hence the perceived benefit of RoomPerfect for my preamp .

I am curious what others' experiences might be with respect to the MEN220.

Cheers,

 

[KrellFan1]

Thinking of Accuphase DG-68, or at lesser $$ the McIntosh MEN220. Either would be inserted between the preamp and amp connections on the Accuphase E-5000 integrated.

Have you made a decision yet? Have you bought either? I ask bc I am thinking about the MEN220. I own the Lyngdorf MP-60 as a great SSP. RoomPerfect is regarded by SO many pros as the very best room equalization software. That said, I am not familiar with the Accuphase item as I see it is 2-3 X the cost! Geez. I think present MSRP is $6,500, so even this unit s not exactly "inexpensive." If you haven't bought maybe you could get a dealer to loan you a piece as a demo......

 

[Sephiam]

I installed the Accuphase DG-68 a couple of days ago. Haven't had time to play with the various features, but it certainly makes a very noticeable improvement in my system! I "hear more" details in the music, but the presentation is not clinical at all. Fairly wonderful.

 

[KrellFan1]

I installed the Accuphase DG-68 a couple of days ago. Haven't had time to play with the various features, but it certainly makes a very noticeable improvement in my system! I "hear more" details in the music, but the presentation is not clinical at all. Fairly wonderful.

Congrats. I made what I think is a great decision and bought nothing more than a new USB cable and a new Power cord (neither of which are yet deployed but soon!) What I discovered was that using my MP-60 as a network player connected to my Antipodes player and server, the sound was fantastic though the sound stage was not as expansive as with my Mola Mola gear (Tambaqui/Makua preamp). And then in a Lyngdorf group on FB I discovered a member RAVING about this tweak, and OMG! Transformative!

Now the presentation sounds infinitely more musical, cohesive with a broadly expanded sound stage. Apparently a Danish Lyngdorf dealer implemented this RoomPerfect tweak and it has made a profound improvement listening to the same exact files but with the advantage of RoomPerfect. So now, it is as though I have two completely different systems. One is a nicely tamed beast with RoomPerfect and the other utilizing no room correction whatsoever is the wild beast, untamed and unshackled. Yes more bass with a noticeable amount of what I perceive to be very minimal distortion, perhaps the way unrestrained but nicely balanced subs should sound? But female vocals via RoomPerfect are “luxurious,” for lack of a better adjective. Set up this way, the RP solution seems incapable of conveying any lack of cogency, and yields uncanny revelation and all with supreme focus and detail I’d not heard previously. I will attach a picture of how this calibration was deployed as I understand it can be universal with just about any room correction software.with female voices I now can play at very high levels and not a hint of distortion or reverberation.

My upgrade will consist of Cerious Tech Lumniscate PC for my MP-60 and a WireWord Platinum USB cable that’ll replace an entry level WW cable.