Building my first Mcintosh system
 

Looks like I got a green light from my wife to get the audio system i always wanted in our home library.
Really no budget restraints as long as its not overkill - I started just thinking I can add MA252 with streamer/ DAC and now after being on this forum for a few days I'm looking at c1100 which might be too much. Haha.
I think I would like to get pre/ stereo amp combo but not sure if I want tubes or SS.
My primary source will be streaming Tidal or Cd's. I would love to add turntable at some point in the future.
Looks like people like MC275/ c2600 combo or C52/47 with MC 312/152
The system will be paired with Sonus Faber Guarneri speakers.
Please let me know your thoughts

Welcome Ym2000! You should post some photos of the space (need to join, for a modest fee - well worth it for the insights and advice). While you'll get a lot of great advice (and opinions), your ears are of course the final arbiter. The MC275/C2600 combo is something you really can't go wrong with. You have the opportunity to do tube rolling should you want to go down that path. Good luck!

I might suggest a non-DAC tubed pre (C2300) and a SS amp of you choice. A nice mix of warmth of tubes with slam of solid state.

I run a C2500 with a MC152 which I play 8 hours daily. Very fatigue free sound with excellent dynamics.

+1, very common combination around here.

If your not dead set on building a complete Mcintosh system and want to save some money the Benchmark DAC 3 would be an excellent option.


https://www.whathifi.com/benchmark/dac3-hgc/review

Great combo to get started. Used prices can be your friend.

As you can see already there are a lot of great options for you.

Let us know if you want to buy new or used, and how much space you have for the gear - that will drive a lot of your choices. There are no wrong answers here. :)

Tom

https://i.imgur.com/R1JHBS9.jpg

This is the space . Well, its almost accurate representation although the sound system will go on the left side, just outside the frame, in front of windows that are there.

Thank you! And thank you to everyone for your responses and suggestions!
I think I want to buy new - I can get a great discount through my friends.
It’s about 6 feet wide space to accommodate speakers and a rack.
Although I do understand that sound is a very personal experience, I also wanted to find out about components that either have a great reliability, upgradability or just the best McIntosh makes.
There is so much information out there that it’s just too overwhelming. I live in Maine and we don’t have places I can go and listen unfortunately.