And, for what it's worth, I've had two dealers suggest Audio Research as a good fit with Mac amps.

Welcome to AA prepress

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FLORIDA
MX136, C15, MC206, MC162(2) MC402, MC1.2KW(12) MC2KW(2) MQ109B, MR88, MS300(2) MCD301, MCD1100, MS750(2) MVP881, MCD1000, MDA1000, C1000C, C1000P/T, MPC1500, HT3F(2) WS350(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) XCS350(2) R778, OPPO-BDP95, GRACE M902 AMP, PS AUDIO PPP(8) PUREPOWER 1050(4) RGPC 600(8) RGPC 1200(20) RGPC POLE PIG(4) JL GOTHAM SUBS(2) LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U PROJECTOR, SVS LIFT, STEWART STUDIOTEK 110" MOTORIZED SCREEN, ASC ACOUSTIC PANELS & BASS TRAPS, CINEMA-TECH SEATING, SONOS ZP90-W4S MOD, SYMPOSIUM ROLLERBLOCKS, SENNHEISER HD800, GOLD LION TUBES, WIREWORLD GOLD ECLIPSE CABLES & SILVER ELECTRA PC'S
View "The Room" here:
http://www.audioaficionado.org/membe...9-dsc-1198.jpg - - - http://www.audioaficionado.org/attac...d-dsc_1208.jpg

CAPE COD
MX150, MC501(2) MC1.2KW(10) MC2301(2) MQ109B, MR88, MS750(2) MVP881, MEN220, MCD1100, MDA1000, C1000C, C1000P/T, MPC1500, HT3F(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) CAMBRIDGE NP30, ELITE BDP-09FD, BENCHMARK DAC-1 HDR, BRYSTON BDA-1 DAC, OPPO-BDP95, SPL PHONITOR, PS AUDIO PPP(10) PUREPOWER 1050(4) RGPC 1200(15) JL GOTHAM SUBS(2) JL FATHOM F113(2) SOUND ANCHOR SUB STANDS(2) LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U PROJECTOR, STEWART STUDIOTEK 120" SCREEN, SONUS FABER STRADIVARI, URC MX-6000 REMOTE, NAKAMICHI DRAGON, TEAC X2000R R2R, SONOS ZP90-W4S MOD, ASC ACOUSTIC PANELS & BASS TRAPS, FORTRESS SEATING, HRS DAMPING PLATES & NIMBUS COUPLERS, SYMPOSIUM ROLLERBLOCKS, ULTRASONE ED-10, GOLD LIONS, WIREWORLD GOLD & PLATINUM ECLIPSE CABLES & SILVER ELECTRA PC'S
View "The 2-Channel Room & Theater" here:
http://www.audioaficionado.org/attac...0&d=1327845807 - - - http://www.audioaficionado.org/attac...d-dsc_3310.jpg
http://www.audioaficionado.org/attac...r-dsc_0941.jpg - - - http://www.audioaficionado.org/membe...0-dsc-0956.jpg

Analog Rig: CLEARAUDIO INNOVATION WOOD TT, CA OUTER RING & CLAMP, UNIVERSAL ARM w/ Da VINCI' CART, 2nd UNIVERSAL ARM w/ GOLDFINGER CART, CLEARAUDIO DOUBLE SMART MATRIX CLEANER, HRS-MXR CUSTOM 4V RACK-GLOSS BLACK w/ M3X 1921 SHELVES, AESTHETIX RHEA SIGNATURE PHONO-PRE, PS AUDIO PPP, RGPC 1200, WIREWORLD SILVER ECLIPSE CABLES & SILVER ELECTRA PC'S
View "The Analog Rig" here:
http://www.audioaficionado.org/attac...e-dsc_2528.jpg - - - http://www.audioaficionado.org/attac...d-dsc_3313.jpg

Game Room: BRYSTON BP-26 PRE-AMP, BDA-1 DAC, BDP-1 MEDIA PLAYER, BCD-1 CD PLAYER, MPS-2 POWER SUPPLY, 28B-SST2 MONOBLOCKS, MAGNUM DYNALAB MD-105T TUNER, OLIVE 04HD, CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSAL BR PLAYER, KRELL KID, RGPC 1200(2) PS AUDIO PPP(2) SONUS FABER AMATI FUTURA'S IN RED FINISH, JL AUDIO IWS-SYS-2, SALAMANDER SYNERGY TRIPLE 30 RACK, SONY KDL-52XBR9, URC MX-980 REMOTE, WIREWORLD SILVER ECLIPSE CABLES & SILVER ELECTRA PC'S
View "The Game Room" here:
http://www.audioaficionado.org/attac...e-dsc_2459.jpg- - -http://www.audioaficionado.org/attac...s-dsc_2736.jpg

New Reference System: BURMESTER 911 MK3 AMP(2), 089 CD PLAYER, 088 PRE-AMP, 100 PHONO PRE-AMP LOADED, 111 MUSIC SERVER, 948 POWER CONDITIONER, AVID ACUTUS REFERENCE SP TT, GRAHAM PHANTOM II SUPREME ARM, BENZ MICRO LP-S CART, DYNAVECTOR XV-1S CART, HRS-SXR CUSTOM 2V-3V-2V RACK w/ M3X 1921 SHELVES, WIREWORLD PLATINUM CABLES & PC'S, SONUS FABER AIDA SPEAKERS RED

I have a Cary Audio SLP-98L paired with a Mc602. Sweet & powerful.

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Mike
~Your pet is your best investment~

Preamps/tuners:McIntosh C50, C46, MR88, MR73, C2200, C22ce, Cary SPL-98L
Integrate amps:McIntosh MA6100, Denon PMA2000ivr
Amps: McIntosh Mc602, Mc2000, Mc275 MK-V, Cary 805ae mono blocks.
Speakers: JMLab Mezzo Utopia, Focal Twin6 BE, Tannoy Mini Autograph
Headphones: Sennheiser HD800, Beyer T1, Denon D7000, Grado RS1i, Sony MDR-SA5000, MDR-Z1000, AKG K701, and many many more
Digital Sources:Sony SCD-1 & SCD777es, CDP-XA7es, 2010 Mac Mini Music Server, Amarra Mini player, Musical Fidelity V-Link & M1 DAC, Apogee Mini-DAC & Duet 2

I used to use a Gryphon Linestage with a MC252. It had a wonderful sound. BAT also works well. My friend in back in Ohio hooked his VK-51SE up to my old system and it was pretty damn good. The Gryphon sounded better but the BAT was still very good.

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MBL 4006, MF A5cr, Wadia 170i, Verity Audio Rienzi, WireWorld Cables

I find this interesting, because one of the reasons that McIntosh has such a great following and reputation is because of their reliability. I for one wouldn't be looking at alternatives simply because there appears to be a lack of stock, I do find that hard to believe. Unless you don't like McIntosh's preamps, why look elsewhere?

While having a warranty is nice feeling I don't think you have to truly 'worry' about used McIntosh gear, as long as your buying it from a reliable individual whether on AGon or here. I find that most electronic gear problems will occur within the first 6 to 12 months anyways. Thus used gear, would have been already tested and repaired if necessary. Should you be unlucky to develop a problem, there are very reputable and reasonable McIntosh repair centers like AudioClassics or Dewick's....

Most of the McIntosh gear I have purchased has been used, and I have yet to encounter any warranty issues or had need for repairs. This is a fundamental reason why I am loyal to McIntosh and will remain so. Personally, I could never afford a new C1000 or even a C500 for that matter, but to buy a used one or C2300 or C2200, I wouldn't hesitate to consider used, even without a warranty. On a side note while Audioclassics may seem a little pricey for used and demos, rest assured their after sales customer service is stellar. My MC352 comes form Audioclassics as well as my MAC4100.


I wish you the best of luck with your search.. ..either way.

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Rock Hau
MAIN: Electronics:McIntosh: C2200FG, MC501's, MCD500, SonoS ZP90, Chang Lightspeed
Cables: Wireworld - XLR Silver Eclipse 5.2 Interconnects: Speaker Cable 6.0 Silver Eclipse. Nordost - Vishnu Power Cables.
Speakers: ProAc D38R

Alternate: SONOS ZP120, ProAc Response1.5,