Man you have been busy building all along in 2019 - good to be happy, why not, right?
I am so hoping this does what I want. I really do not need the best of the best, or anything like that. I need something I enjoy. The U-Turn was a good addition not because it is the best sounding, but it does a very nice job and allows me to have fun with vinyl again, and it does sound pretty darn good!
As most of you know, I have been Jonesing for a McIntosh for a while (dam Bingo boy thing... grrrr), but the cost has been an issue many times, not totally thrilled with the design/shape of many of the used older pieces I see, and really was hoping to find something without their built in DAC. I simply feel that Mc does not offer a DAC as good as what I already have and therefore would be a waste.
I know that the MA252 in not a high end piece, but I also know the benefits of a tube pre with a SS amp and I know the output transistors being used are top notch (same as in the T+A). Granted it does not have a ton of extra features but when I compare to higher model:
* Higher model has more power, but I know from my use that 100 WPC of Mc power is way more than enough.
* 5 band eq versus tones controls... I don't use tone controls so who cares
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* Only 1 xlr, 2 rca, and MM inputs... versus two more on higher model... well I like MM cartridges and with my current table I do not envision going into MC. I also have the SimAudio for now if I do. The inputs cover all the basis for me, MM, check, Balanced from DAC, check, two more inputs for Tuner and SACD, check, even though I never spin a disk it is good to have the option just in case.
* Subwoofer output, NICE, since I do not current have one. Higher model have two... one is fine because I have no place to put a second sub anyway and the ELAC works really good in its corner
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* Blue meters, that would be cool, but not a reason to spend thousands more
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The MA252 checks all the boxes, and coming across a one month old one that I was able to get an amazing deal on really made it a no brainer to me. If I decide not to keep both setups I believe it will be very easy to get my money out, no matter which way I decide...