Mp 1100
 

Does anyone have any information or experience with McIntosh's new top end phono stage?

Is it superior to the C1100 twin box, is it the same with added filters and ADC (YUCH!) or is it inferior (highly unlikely).

I am looking at possibly moving out of my Aesthetix Rhea Eclipse. This has been the best phono stage I have experienced possibly on par with my friends IO Eclipe with built in volume control.

I run my Rhea into a C500 (it's phono stage is quieter than the Rhea but no where's near as dynamic, musical, detailed, quick, etc. ) to a pair of MC275 LE mono's to Focal Scala's.

My reason for changing would be obtaining the new MP1100 filters and curves (Columbia , Decca, etc), getting a better range of matching impedance and added capacitance adjustments and aesthetically matching my other Mc gear (less important).

I run a ClearAudio Ovation with a Kuetsu Jade Platinum. The Jade is running at 75 ohms on the Rhea which is its lowest setting. The MP1100 will get down to 25 Ohms. Some reports indicate a lower impedance works better with the platinum magnets.

Thanks in advance.

What McIntosh needs to get this product out of the blocks is a proper review. I'd be curious to discover what portion of the roughly $12,000 price is dedicated to the actual phono section, and what portion is the extraneous digital gadgetry. Then you've got another power cord, ICs, maybe some Stillpoints to add on as well. But for starters, I wish someone would do a review and we can see what's what.

http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/us/Produ...oductId=MP1100

I did have my authorized dealer speak to Mr. Hinton at McIntosh. This is what I have learned:

1) the current phono stage used by McIntosh is "the best" phono stage they have ever made and there is no plans to improve it.

2) the phono stage in the C500, C1000, C1100 and MP1100 are the "same stage".

3) the MP 1100 is for the vinylphile who wishes/needs the additional equalization curves, the added high frequency/rumble/click filters, three inputs for multiple tonearm systems and digital conversion of albums.

It seems an expensive luxury but it has features which some may deem essential in a McIntosh phono/pre with no alternative.

I will not be slipping out of my Rhea Eclipse for the MP 1100 at this time. My personal comparison between the phono stage in the C500T and the Aesthetix Rhea (non Ecplise) was strongly in favor of the John White tubed beauty. The C500T was quieter than the Rhea but it lacked the "magic" of the Rhea.

Excellent post. Thank you so much!

I found similar when comparing the Audia Flight phono stage to the C500T. I really was hoping to sell the Audia Flight and keep just the C500T, but the Audia Flight will be staying for now. I absolutely love the C500T, but yes, the phono stage can be beaten, but you have to spend about half the price of the C500T on a separate phono stage in my experience.

I have some Gold Lion and Telefunken tubes that I need to install into the C500T and see if that makes any difference.

I sure hope that Chuck was mistaken and the MP1100 sounds a lot better than the phono stage in my C1100. I only use my Audia Flight phono stage since I much prefer it over the phono stage in my C1100.

Agreed. This does seem a little odd:

1) the current phono stage used by McIntosh is "the best" phono stage they have ever made and there is no plans to improve it.

2) the phono stage in the C500, C1000, C1100 and MP1100 are the "same stage".

Perhaps me meant MP100

I am afraid it was theMP1100 and not the MP100.

If you check out Michael Fremers review of the MP100 on "his website " you can clearly see the solid state board and compare it to any of the tubed twin box McIntosh preamps to see the difference.

I too question the wisdom of the MP1100. I would not be surprised to see it residing right in the middle of a stack of C1100 and D1100.

Would be a bit of a waste of money though if the MP1100 was the same phono stage as in the C1100.

I find it hard to believe.