McIntosh Newbie

M

mattoess

New member
Joined
Jun 11, 2017
Messages
11
Location
Newnan, GA
I'm a aspiring audiophile, rekindling a passion for audio that has been slumbering for 20 years. I'm looking at my first real investment in high-end kit (although I still have a thing for my Klipsch KG 4.2s I bought out of college in 1992!). Anyway, I'm enamored with the stunning looks of McIntosh and have been able to listen to a couple of systems at a local dealer.

I'd love to get some pointers on how to get started and your opinions on what about McIntosh drives such passion that I keep reading about on this forum.

It's overwhelming for me, thinking about the possibilities and decisions I must make: pre/post separates vs. integrated, solid state vs. tubes, and the million permutations of paring new speakers with the amp combination mentioned above. Aside from "take your time and just go listen", I would love some advice.

My taste in music is pretty wide, and crazy fidelity is absolutely crucial, as seems to be the norm, here. BUT no matter what I buy... there will be times that my 80's hair bands (think Van Halen or Motley Crue) or a Bruno Mars-type pop cut must bring down the house. And, I need my system that would make Eddie VH and Nicky Sixx proud, if you know what I mean. I'm big into into Tidal and recently breathed life back into my Dad's turntable.

So, I know it's a tall order, but can you recommend some combinations? Does McIntosh sound like the right direction for me?
 
Audiophilehi. Fair question. I think $10K is comfortable, but not necessarily a hard limit for the pre-post amp budget. I'd love for you to say $5K will work, but I understand and am hopeful that we truly get what we pay for. At this point, I'm just hoping to get opinionated a solid direction. I'm a planner, so I want to chart the course and the work toward a purchase. The ultimate price will dictate only timing. If it means waiting longer to get what I want, that's ok. Make sense?

P.S. I apologize for such an open-ended question for the forum members. But, it's where I am in my journey. I'll be so grateful for those who can help!
 
Exciting to build a new system from the ground up.

From what I can gather, you have a budget of around $10k for preamp/amp or integrated, and would like to have McIntosh gear.

I too love McIntosh gear. Going on 10 years now with Mcintosh gear in my system ... with many different iterations.

I agree that the look and sound complement what I am seeking.

One question I don't think you have been asked or stated ....... used or new? Can mean a significant difference

New McIntosh, as you are aware, is fairly expensive and pre, amp combo or integrated BNIB from authorized dealer plus applicable tax can eat up $10k really fast.

I would say that McIntosh current offerings will sound similar with more and more of the good stuff as you move up the chain.

I personally do not have experience with the lower level offerings but ....

c47 preamp ($4k)
MC152 amp ($4.5k)

Will meet your price

Integrated wise, MA5200 is "only" $4.5k, so yes you can get a McIntosh at your $5k hope but I don't know if it will be enough for you.

I can only say with confidence that my C1100/MC601 combination is out of this world good. I bought my amps used ($9k) and preamp 2nd hand BNIB and saved considerable amount of money therefore.

If you go used, your options are nearly limitless. Even more so if you can push your budget to $15k. I can't recommend the MC601s enough. Fantastic amps. Try to find a used pair, although they don't come up for sale too too often.

c2300 tube preamp and MC501 monoblock amps or MC402 is a really nice combination too, I previously owned both combinations. Real good value for the money.

c2300 (used $4k) and MC452 would also be killer and give you plenty of muscle for those EVH solo's.

I still have my MC501s in storage (along with a pair of never installed "Ivan" handles) since buying my MC601s earlier this year. I may be interested in selling the 501s if interested.

Jason



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
j3brow said:
Exciting to build a new system from the ground up.

From what I can gather, you have a budget of around $10k for preamp/amp or integrated, and would like to have McIntosh gear.

I too love McIntosh gear. Going on 10 years now with Mcintosh gear in my system ... with many different iterations.

I agree that the look and sound complement what I am seeking.

One question I don't think you have been asked or stated ....... used or new? Can mean a significant difference

New McIntosh, as you are aware, is fairly expensive and pre, amp combo or integrated BNIB from authorized dealer plus applicable tax can eat up $10k really fast.

I would say that McIntosh current offerings will sound similar with more and more of the good stuff as you move up the chain.

I personally do not have experience with the lower level offerings but ....

c47 preamp ($4k)
MC152 amp ($4.5k)

Will meet your price

Integrated wise, MA5200 is "only" $4.5k, so yes you can get a McIntosh at your $5k hope but I don't know if it will be enough for you.

I can only say with confidence that my C1100/MC601 combination is out of this world good. I bought my amps used ($9k) and preamp 2nd hand BNIB and saved considerable amount of money therefore.

If you go used, your options are nearly limitless. Even more so if you can push your budget to $15k. I can't recommend the MC601s enough. Fantastic amps. Try to find a used pair, although they don't come up for sale too too often.

c2300 tube preamp and MC501 monoblock amps or MC402 is a really nice combination too, I previously owned both combinations. Real good value for the money.

c2300 (used $4k) and MC452 would also be killer and give you plenty of muscle for those EVH solo's.

I still have my MC501s in storage (along with a pair of never installed "Ivan" handles) since buying my MC601s earlier this year. I may be interested in selling the 501s if interested.

Jason



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Click to expand...


I echo Jason's recommendations and would add that MC452/601 amps are a fairly significant step up from mc402/501 IMHO.

I'm sure we all like to buy new but if the budget doesn't allow Purchasing used can be very rewarding especially from this forum. You can go several steps up in sound quality and feel confident in the quality build and service from McIntosh.
 
mattoess.......If you want your $10K budget to work like $15K, buy pre-owned. Owners of McIntosh are no different than owners of other high end expensive gear in that they generally take fastidious care of their gear. Buying pre-owned will allow you to build a system to be proud of and deliver the kind of performance your rock idols would be pleased to own. I suggest you consider a McIntosh C2300 preamplifier and a McIntosh MC452 power amplifier. $10K will bring them home. These components will do you justice.
 
Thank you, Joe! I'm quite pleased to see such a positive, helpful forum. Glad to be a part of it!
 
j3brow, Thanks for the thoughtful response. So many great ideas...

I am definitely open to used, although it hadn't really crystalized until your ideas came through.

I agree that the MA5200 might not be enough power to give me flexibility in speaker selection, long term. I've been reading about the upcoming MA8900 and it certainly grabbed my attention. It'll be interesting to hear that when it is available. Any thoughts on that?

You definitely got me thinking on the c1100/mc601 and c2300/mc501 monoblocks. I've only heard a tube pre/post and solid state amp setup once, but I understand it to be a good combination. I'm curious if there are any generalities that exist on that tube/ss setup, relative to listening preferences. Do tubes favor classical tastes or rock tastes, or is it really and truly a personal preference thing?

I'd love to hear your take on moving to the 601s from the 501s that led to the 501s in the closet. Big difference? Do you think that the 501s would be a solid foundation to add to as I go along?

Thanks 1,000,000. You have no idea how helpful this for me!!

Matt
 
Paul,

Thanks for the thoughts. I'm really warming up to the used gear idea, as it would move my timetable up considerably. As long as I'm buying components I can build on and I can trust the source, it seems a very solid strategy.

Would also love to understand what makes the 452/601 better that 402/501. Is it just headroom, or are there other attributes? One more question...let's say I had a pretty efficient speaker. Is more headroom always better 302->452-> 2x601? Or, is there a quality tradeoff when power gets big?

Thanks again for taking the time!

Matt
 
mattoess said:
Paul,

Thanks for the thoughts. I'm really warming up to the used gear idea, as it would move my timetable up considerably. As long as I'm buying components I can build on and I can trust the source, it seems a very solid strategy.

Would also love to understand what makes the 452/601 better that 402/501. Is it just headroom, or are there other attributes? One more question...let's say I had a pretty efficient speaker. Is more headroom always better 302->452-> 2x601? Or, is there a quality tradeoff when power gets big?

Thanks again for taking the time!

Matt
Click to expand...

Hi Matt,

The MC452/601 are Quad balanced amps. The 402/501 are not. The 452/601 are voiced differently than the 402/501 meaning that there sound/presentation has changed somewhat. There are many positive reviews on the 452/601 amps. Just do a search on the Internet and peruse through them. I'm sure you won't be disappointed. :cool:
 

Here's a great MC452 review.

[url]http://www.ultraaudio.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=210:McIntosh


attachment.php


attachment.php

[/URL]
 

Attachments

  • select_150w_t.png
    select_150w_t.png
    14.4 KB · Views: 63
  • 201202_mcintosh_front.png
    201202_mcintosh_front.png
    88.6 KB · Views: 57
Last edited:
Gents,

Your help and insights have been great. You guys are awesome. Thanks so much. Here's another wrinkle that I'd like your thoughts.

Most of the discussion has been a tube Pre-amp with a SS amplifier stage. What is your opinion of a SS pre-amp (like a C47) with a tube amp (like the MC275)? This would be paired with a fairly efficient set of floor loudspeakers (hoping to listen to the B&W CM10s and also the new Elac Adante once they start shipping).

Thoughts?
 
That would certainly be a great combination as well. The MC275, especially, is a superb amp from McIntosh.
 
This I believe is a matter of taste and the speakers that are being driven. As far as the preamp I prefer tubes and have the c2500. The C47 is a fine preamp and I'm sure you can't go wrong with either one.

As far as the amps go I choose the mc452 over the mc275 and mc75 monoblocks. I was really on the fence with this especially since my speakers are very efficient as well. The mc452 will drive any speaker if I ever plan to make a change to less efficient speakers. I haven't regretted the choice but would love to live with both and switch from time to time.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top