Are MF integrateds common ground?

I-SIG
I-SIG Posts: 2,243
edited February 2007 in 2 Channel Audio
Title says it all as I'm getting a monster tax return and want to have some fun and move up the food chain a bit, but I have to have common ground for my original SRS's.

I'm also looking hard at a Plinius 9200 or 8200 Mk2...

Thanks,
Wes
Link: http://polkarmy.com/forums

Sony 75" Bravia 4K | Polk Audio SDA-SRS's (w/RDO's & Vampire Posts) + SVS PC+ 25-31 | AudioQuest Granite (mids) + BWA Silver (highs) | Cary Audio CAD-200 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Rotel Michi P5 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Cambridge Audio azur 840C--Wadia 170i + iPod jammed w/ lossless audio--Oppo 970 | Pure|AV PF31d
Post edited by I-SIG on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • haimoc
    haimoc Posts: 1,031
    edited February 2007
    Musical Fidelity A5 and Plinius 9200 are all good integrated amps. The local dealer have both setup with Totem Forest. In my opinion, MFA5 sound is more refined and wider sound stage (result from built-in tube buffer A5 CD player in the demo room). With Plinius, it is detail, clear, warm and less attack sound like. At first, I don't like Plinius 9200, but the more I listened to it, the more I feel it matches Totem Forest the best. With this setup, Plinius 9200 is more musical and neutral compared to MFA5. I don't know anything about Plinius 8200 Mk2 which is older. You might want to try them first to see what you like better. They are all good and match different tastes and equipments.

    Note that the second version or generation of Plinius 9200 have balance XLR inputs.
    -?¿-
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • I-SIG
    I-SIG Posts: 2,243
    edited February 2007
    Thanks. I'm gonna use them to push my SRS's. How do they compare to the Totems?

    Still enjoying that Rotel, BTW.

    Wes
    Link: http://polkarmy.com/forums

    Sony 75" Bravia 4K | Polk Audio SDA-SRS's (w/RDO's & Vampire Posts) + SVS PC+ 25-31 | AudioQuest Granite (mids) + BWA Silver (highs) | Cary Audio CAD-200 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Rotel Michi P5 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Cambridge Audio azur 840C--Wadia 170i + iPod jammed w/ lossless audio--Oppo 970 | Pure|AV PF31d
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited February 2007
    I-SIG wrote:
    Title says it all as I'm getting a monster tax return and want to have some fun and move up the food chain a bit, but I have to have common ground for my original SRS's.

    I'm also looking hard at a Plinius 9200 or 8200 Mk2...

    Thanks,
    Wes
    They should be common ground.Usually only very high powered amps using a bridged output stage are not.
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • haimoc
    haimoc Posts: 1,031
    edited February 2007
    I don't know anything about SRS speakers.. Maybe Emlyn and senior members in here can have better opinions if the speakers match with Plinius or MF integrated amps. However, I have a pair of Lsi15 (thanks Emlyn).. In the same system setup with Plinius 9200, honestly, I don't like Lsi15 anymore. I am not saying that Totem is better than Lsi15 because Lsi15 might match well with different amp. In my opinion, Lsi15 bass has problem which to me, the bass (boxy sound and weak) do not blend well to high and mid range. I think Lsi15 in a bigger room and different amp will sound better and different than the room configuration that I have. Hope this helps.
    -?¿-
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,552
    edited February 2007
    The MF integrated amps are dual mono, not common ground.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited February 2007
    F1nut wrote:
    The MF integrated amps are dual mono, not common ground.
    They have completely separate power supplies for each channel(dual mono) but both of those channels neg outputs are referenced to ground.
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • I-SIG
    I-SIG Posts: 2,243
    edited February 2007
    GV#27 wrote:
    They have completely separate power supplies for each channel(dual mono) but both of those channels neg outputs are referenced to ground.

    That what I was thinking. If a Nu-Vista only has one power cord, won't the grounds have to tie back to that single neutral?

    Wes
    Link: http://polkarmy.com/forums

    Sony 75" Bravia 4K | Polk Audio SDA-SRS's (w/RDO's & Vampire Posts) + SVS PC+ 25-31 | AudioQuest Granite (mids) + BWA Silver (highs) | Cary Audio CAD-200 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Rotel Michi P5 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Cambridge Audio azur 840C--Wadia 170i + iPod jammed w/ lossless audio--Oppo 970 | Pure|AV PF31d
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,552
    edited February 2007
    Tell ya what, since I don't want to eff up anyones gear, call Signal Path.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • hoosier21
    hoosier21 Posts: 4,411
    edited February 2007
    I have used two MF int amps on SDA speakers with no problem.
    Dodd - Battery Preamp
    Monarchy Audio SE100 Delux - mono power amps
    Sony DVP-NS999ES - SACD player
    ADS 1230 - Polk SDA 2B
    DIY Stereo Subwoofer towers w/(4) 12 drivers each
    Crown K1 - Subwoofer amp
    Outlaw ICBM - crossover
    Beringher BFD - sub eq

    Where is the remote? Where is the $%#$% remote!

    "I've always been mad, I know I've been mad, like the most of us have...very hard to explain why you're mad, even if you're not mad..."
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Ferres
    Ferres Posts: 310
    edited February 2007
    Check out the Nad M3 as well. :)
    Gear: Rotel RC 1082, Rotel RSP 1068 pre/pro, Rotel RMB1077 amp, Cayin CDT 15a CD player, S301 bluray.

    Speakers: Tannoy DC sensys speakers, Paradigm Servo15 Sub, Velo Spl-1500r

    Conditioner: Isotek :D
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • I-SIG
    I-SIG Posts: 2,243
    edited February 2007
    hoosier21 wrote:
    I have used two MF int amps on SDA speakers with no problem.

    Sweet. Thanks, Russ.

    Wes
    Link: http://polkarmy.com/forums

    Sony 75" Bravia 4K | Polk Audio SDA-SRS's (w/RDO's & Vampire Posts) + SVS PC+ 25-31 | AudioQuest Granite (mids) + BWA Silver (highs) | Cary Audio CAD-200 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Rotel Michi P5 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Cambridge Audio azur 840C--Wadia 170i + iPod jammed w/ lossless audio--Oppo 970 | Pure|AV PF31d
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • I-SIG
    I-SIG Posts: 2,243
    edited February 2007
    F1nut wrote:
    Tell ya what, since I don't want to eff up anyones gear, call Signal Path.


    Looks like we're both right. The big dogs like the Nu-Vista are NOT common ground. The smaller ones like the A5 and A3.x are indeed common ground. Straight from Rick at Signal Path.

    Wes
    Link: http://polkarmy.com/forums

    Sony 75" Bravia 4K | Polk Audio SDA-SRS's (w/RDO's & Vampire Posts) + SVS PC+ 25-31 | AudioQuest Granite (mids) + BWA Silver (highs) | Cary Audio CAD-200 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Rotel Michi P5 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Cambridge Audio azur 840C--Wadia 170i + iPod jammed w/ lossless audio--Oppo 970 | Pure|AV PF31d
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited February 2007
    The big ones must use a bridged output stage therefore would not be common ground.But that must be a very big integrated if it uses this configuation.It is usually only needed in the 300 watt plus range and there aren't too many integrateds around with that much power.
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • I-SIG
    I-SIG Posts: 2,243
    edited February 2007
    GV#27 wrote:
    The big ones must use a bridged output stage therefore would not be common ground.But that must be a very big integrated if it uses this configuation.It is usually only needed in the 300 watt plus range and there aren't too many integrateds around with that much power.

    You would be correct. I specifically asked about the Nu-Vista, but it appears it includes the Tri-Vista, Mu-Vista, kw500, kw550 integrateds as well.
    Sorry, but no. The bigger amps are not common ground designs. They are bridged amp designs so the grounds must remain separate. The only common ground amps are the A5 Int and the A3.5 Int.

    Rick Walker
    Technical Service Director
    Signal Path International

    Wes
    Link: http://polkarmy.com/forums

    Sony 75" Bravia 4K | Polk Audio SDA-SRS's (w/RDO's & Vampire Posts) + SVS PC+ 25-31 | AudioQuest Granite (mids) + BWA Silver (highs) | Cary Audio CAD-200 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Rotel Michi P5 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Cambridge Audio azur 840C--Wadia 170i + iPod jammed w/ lossless audio--Oppo 970 | Pure|AV PF31d
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter