McIntosh MP1100

[Mike]

My friend testing out the first MP1100 (phonostage)

[jdandy]

Mike.......It is interesting that McIntosh waited so long to enter the stand alone phono stage preamp arena. They have been designing excellent moving coil phono stage preamps into their better preamplifiers for years and they are no slouches when compared to many external phono preamps. I have not auditioned their new MP1100 but I imagine it is an excellent first entry for them into the phono stage market.

Several years ago I ordered a Pass XP-15 phono stage preamp from Reno HiFi. I wanted to see how it stood up against the moving coil phono stage in my McIntosh C2300 tube preamp and also against my McIntosh C1000C/P solid state preamp phono stage. I used my Michell Gyro SE turntable with the SME309/Ortofon Cadenza Black turntable rig to compare the XP-15 to the C2300 and C1000C/P phono stages. In the end I returned the Pass XP-15. The first issue I had with the XP-15 was the background noise, not hum but a low level background hash that was audible when I raised the volume on both McIntosh preamps to a robust playback level. This rushing type noise was considerably lower at the same volume levels when playback was through the internal phono stage preamps of the C2300 and C1000C/P, with the C1000C/P phono stage the clear winner. In addition, I preferred the sound of both McIntosh internal phono stages. I found the XP-15 to be rather dry, even after 50 hours of break-in. Then there was the inconvenience of the XP-15 dip switches for adjusting cartridge loading to make comparisons with alternate settings. McIntosh is miles ahead, allowing resistance and capacitance adjustments on the fly via the remote control while remaining seated in the sweet spot. In addition, the C2300, C1000C/P and the newest current McIntosh preamps allow phono stage gain to be adjusted via remote control. This is a fabulous user feature that allows immediate comparisons of different settings without having to flip dip switches on the rear of a component.

I have enjoyed the internal phono stage preamplifiers in my McIntosh preamps. At one point I owned the C1000C/P solid state preamp and controller at the same time I owned a C1000C/T tube preamplifier and controller. I was able to do a head to head comparison of the solid state and tube phono stage preamps in both of those components and discovered a superior performance from the C1000P solid state phono stage over the C1000T tube phono stage in those two preamplifiers. The C1000C/P is considerable quieter and more dynamic. That was one reason why I sold the C1000C/T and kept the C1000C/P which I still own and enjoy tremendously.

I would be interested in reading the impressions your friend had while auditioning the McIntosh MP1100 phono preamp. Knowing how well McIntosh has done with their internal phono stages I am confident their stand alone phono stage preamplifier will be remarkable.

[Mike]

Dan - I remember when I had my C1000C/T/P, I asked Fremer about getting a better phonostage. He argued that unless I was willing to pony up north of $15k, don't bother - the C1000 phono was "excellent".

I'll let you know what Rick says. He's had some pretty heavy duty phonostages (4 box CH and Tenor).


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[SoundRebels]

MP 1100 is awesome - offers very dynamic, mellow sound with superb resolution.

[SoundRebels]

And English translation of Our review - link

[XV-1]

My friend testing out the first MP1100 (phonostage)

must be Richard Mak aka stereopal - did he like it?

[Mike]

must be Richard Mak aka stereopal - did he like it?

I'm not sure what he thought, but we compared it to the ARC REF3, Tenor and CH Phono.

It wasn't my favorite.


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[4N6]

As I see the MP1100 has a line input, is this simply an altered, rebadged version of the C2300? Add a couple more phono inputs, subtract some line inputs and viola...the MP1100.

Yes, I see that there is more options for loading and response curves with the MP1100, but it uses 4 tubes like the old C2300, and it is not a true dedicated phono stage as it has line inputs.

Not sure if I'll be a fan of this one. We shall see.

[MRJAZZ]

As I see the MP1100 has a line input, is this simply an altered, rebadged version of the C2300? Add a couple more phono inputs, subtract some line inputs and viola...the MP1100.

Yes, I see that there is more options for loading and response curves with the MP1100, but it uses 4 tubes like the old C2300, and it is not a true dedicated phono stage as it has line inputs.

Not sure if I'll be a fan of this one. We shall see.

This is totally different than the 2300. It's McIntosh's first fully balanced phono stage in their history. Even the gain is different. Looks like an interesting phono preamp.....

Cheers......

[KeithR]

I have read some lukewarm things on this phono. Perhaps the next version will be improved.

[john11f]

Hi all, any new feedback on this phono preamp? I have a MC152 power and C2600 preamp setup connected to a pair of SF Guarneris and was wondering if this would give me a huge conical benefit. Thanks in advance!

[joeinid]

Hi John, welcome to the forum. Thank you for joining.

[john11f]

Hi John, welcome to the forum. Thank you for joining.

Hi, thanks for the welcome. Apologies for the late reply as I didn't get back to exploring the idea of getting the MP1100. Now I'm definitely in the market and have been trying to get as much information I can about it.

I'm also being offered a pre-owned TW Acustic RPS 100 for a good price (55% off srp).

Are these 2 phono preamps in different leagues? RPS 100 cost almost twice I think.

[briweed]

Hi, thanks for the welcome. Apologies for the late reply as I didn't get back to exploring the idea of getting the MP1100. Now I'm definitely in the market and have been trying to get as much information I can about it.

I'm also being offered a pre-owned TW Acustic RPS 100 for a good price (55% off srp).

Are these 2 phono preamps in different leagues? RPS 100 cost almost twice I think.

Take a look at the Esoteric E-02. I did back to back testing with the MP1100 and it was much better to my ears.

[john11f]

I will! Thank you for your advise, Briweed.

[Jack]

Also take a look at the Goldnote PH-10.

[john11f]

Someone (an audio dealer) recommended the Gold-Note to me. I will have a look as well.

This part of the system I struggle on how/what to choose.

[john11f]

would it be a "downgrade" if I installed a MP100 phono preamp in favor of the onboard phono stage of the C2600?