Thinking..........
- Thread starter Toobs
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Paul
Senior Member
Why??
JJinID
Member
Are you wanting to downsize in terms of footprint? I would say you would get a significant return from upgrading your C220 to a better preamp, more likely as a separate but also potentially as part of an integrated like the ARC.
Paul
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highEndguy
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Two different sounds
sharkmouth
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+1. The preamp idea jumped at me when reading. Then again, to simplify I too have thought of an integrated but it is very hard to find one good enough as there are always trade-offs.
mep
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I think you need to quit thinking if these are the ideas you come up with. 
Seriously, unless you are under duress from your wife, I wouldn't consider giving up separates for an integrated amp. If you are bored with your McIntosh gear and you are casting an eye/ear towards ARC, I would go with some ARC separates. If you can't swing getting into ARC Ref gear, think about another ARC used line stage and something like an ARC VS-115 amp. Just don't buy an ARC LS17 because they suck.
Seriously, unless you are under duress from your wife, I wouldn't consider giving up separates for an integrated amp. If you are bored with your McIntosh gear and you are casting an eye/ear towards ARC, I would go with some ARC separates. If you can't swing getting into ARC Ref gear, think about another ARC used line stage and something like an ARC VS-115 amp. Just don't buy an ARC LS17 because they suck.
cmalak
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I agree that maybe upgrading your Mc preamp is probably the way to go. I don't categorically dismiss integrated amps as being inferior to separates as you can find integrateds that outperform separates quite easily. But it's all in the details of which integrated as compared to which separates. If you can listen to the VSi75 in your rig and compare it to your Mac setup and you like it better, then fine, go for it. Just be sure it's better and not just different (ARC and McIntosh do have different house sounds for sure). If you can't listen to the VSi75 to compare then I would look into getting a better McIntosh amp (used C500 maybe) I would also look at upgrading your Rega DAC as probably an area where you can get significant upgrade in SQ.
mep
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Toobs-I just noticed the other components that make up your system and I think I have discovered the reason for your "itch"-you don't have any analog in your system. Cripes! No wonder you are breaking out in hives and looking for some salve to relief your "itch." 
Toobs-I just noticed the other components that make up your system and I think I have discovered the reason for your "itch"-you don't have any analog in your system. Cripes! No wonder you are breaking out in hives and looking for some salve to relief your "itch."
No analog? SHAME! And I agree!
I never understand why some people want to simplify a system in going from separates to an integrated unless it is for space issues, WAF or if you are starting out new and want to save some money. I would think down sizing would be the more appropriate term for some.
I agree with others, get a new preamp, you can do a lot better than the C220. I did a head to head comparison of a C220 with my Van Alstine Ultra plus hybrid preamp, an Atma Sphere MP-3 and an ARC LS27 hooked up to a Mac 452 amp and an Ayres amp.
The ARC sounded the best in most area's but I preferred the sweeter mid range of the much cheaper MP3 and my Van Alstine amp bested the C220 which sounded mid fi compared to the other 3 preamps.
Good luck in what ever you decide!
I agree with others, get a new preamp, you can do a lot better than the C220. I did a head to head comparison of a C220 with my Van Alstine Ultra plus hybrid preamp, an Atma Sphere MP-3 and an ARC LS27 hooked up to a Mac 452 amp and an Ayres amp.
The ARC sounded the best in most area's but I preferred the sweeter mid range of the much cheaper MP3 and my Van Alstine amp bested the C220 which sounded mid fi compared to the other 3 preamps.
Good luck in what ever you decide!
CDLehner
New member
Bob, I'll raise my hand...and be the dissenting voice. While I can't say one is "better" than the other; I see nothing wrong with the switch.
I go back and forth, between seps and IAs all the time. Sometimes...you're in the mood for Italian; sometimes Mexican
And the VSi-75, is certainly no slouch. Some of the fussiest, staunchest...of card-carrying audiophiles; praise today's IAs, as a way to simplify...without compromise.
Besides...why is everyone treating this, like an either/or? Do what any good audiophile would do; ditch the MAC, try the VSi-75...and when you itch again, go back and upgrade MAC...like some of the others are suggesting. (or...go another direction altogether; I'm not a fan :blush
I go back and forth, between seps and IAs all the time. Sometimes...you're in the mood for Italian; sometimes Mexican
And the VSi-75, is certainly no slouch. Some of the fussiest, staunchest...of card-carrying audiophiles; praise today's IAs, as a way to simplify...without compromise.
Besides...why is everyone treating this, like an either/or? Do what any good audiophile would do; ditch the MAC, try the VSi-75...and when you itch again, go back and upgrade MAC...like some of the others are suggesting. (or...go another direction altogether; I'm not a fan :blush
mep
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WAF drives lots of audiophiles to subpar systems. How many hapless guys do you see on Audiogon that claim they are selling their beloved gear because the wife says it has to go? Tons of them unfortunately. I know a guy on another forum whose wife has his stereo 'system' confined to the top of his computer desk. He has a pair of powered monitor speakers with a built in DAC. He hooks his laptop up to his DAC/amps/speakers (they are all one and the same) and bingo, there is his system. He was in the market for a sub for a period of time, but when he asked for advice, one stipulation was the sub had to fit under his desk. I suspect that when his wife is home, he is confined to listening to headphones. No wonder this is one angry guy who constantly tries to tell people that their big systems don't sound as good as they think it does. He is a total buzz kill. If he wasn't able to vent his anger on audio forums, he probably would have manifested several poltergeists in his house by now.
I try to advise all young married guys that are buying their first house that the only parts of a house a man normally gets to call his own is the garage and the basement. If you buy a house that doesn't have a garage or a basement, you are basically screwed. Somehow most men allowed their wives to control the house and everything in it has to meet their approval.
The moral to the story is give them an inch and they will take a mile.
FlexibleAudio
Member
Even though integrated's have become the rage these days and have much improved isolation, fewer connects etc., I just couldn't pull the trigger last month on Soulution's 530 (which is fantastic). I went with the 501's because I just couldn't scratch the itch with the 530 caused by my fear about what this or that track would sound like if I had bought the separates. The specs are identical (snr >120 dbs), but always wondering if cross talk or noise in general is higher with the integrated kept me in separates. The integrated was the better economic and simpler alternative (WAF included) but I couldn't get there. Call me irrational or a child of the '70s but I do believe this neurosis enhances my credential as an audiophile.
lmao!!!! good point.
i just did the downsizing. sold off my amps and preamp over the last spring and brought in some temp amps and a solid phonostage, then i was shopping around for a new pre and phonostage, when i decided i love this phonostage and also decided to sell off the monos and just buy a good solid integrated which has everything i like in a single box. so table, phonostage,integrated and speakers is where im at now. once its delivered i will be happy for awhile and get back to my main focus which is -what speakers do i want. lol. trickle down technology most companies are now putting into their integrateds is why there has been such a rage over integrateds lately, its a good way to get a way better sounding system and a way better price than buying separates.
separates are for the people who like to look at lots of gear sitting around. i was one of them. not anymore, sell the separates buy the integrated and a couple sources and be happy.
hmmmm i been eyeballing a sweet vintage thorens lately to add my present tonearm to and then get a new arm for my table.
That guy should take a look at the Peach Tree Nova 125, its a nice compact piece of kit. An integrated high powered amp (200wpc at 4 ohms) with a built in tube buffer and a high quality Sabre DAC with a small foot print.
I am rather lucky. My wife conceded the family room to me. I have a pair of Maggies (and a pair of Def Techs with a center channel for HT use) with my system on a six tier rack and a sub along with a 55" TV. She bought me my first pair of Maggies years ago and suggested that I buy a pair of 3.6's instead of my 1.6's. I regret not buying the 3.6's at the time.
CDLehner
New member
+1 When my missus and I first got married...I'd ask about gear, and about the money; and her answers were always the same. She had no objection, to whatever I might buy...looks wise (now granted...I had 2 dedicated spaces; a 2-channel area, and an HT. But I can assure you...had I wanted to put a system in the Living Room, or a common space...the story would have been the same); and as far as the money. I kept asking about that, until one day she said to me "look...you worry about money more than I do. So if you think we can afford it...then I trust you, more than I trust myself"...lol.
Of course, we were DINKS; and I understand that might change the equation a bit. But with no offense meant, to the members who wives...I'm sure...are otherwise lovely; I just never got the ball-busting over gear. If she loves you...and wants you to be happy; why would she deny you something, just because it might clash with a f*cking end-table??
I guess it's worth noting...my gal and I are separated now; which makes me a SINK
But it wasn't over gear!!
CPP
Active member
For integrated, give the Hegel H300 a look it's well engineered