MP1100 vs phonos in C500T and C1100

[1KW]

Originally Posted by j3brow

David,

MP1100 —> hi res digital out —-> D1100 —-> amps is an interesting thought. I agree with Craig, would be best to try out the MP1100 first. No doubt, the MP1100 will do a better job than the phono in your C2300 but will converting that analog signal into 24/96 or 192 lose the analog “sound”? Only a home audition can answer that question. I do seem to recall Ron C somewhere talking about this very scenario, MP1100 + D1100. Maybe send him an email and get his take. Betcha he has listened to this combination.

I am very tempted with the Mcintosh trade in program in place in doing this . I am not unhappy with the C2300 phono however I hardly listen to vinyl anymore; I have to make an effort to play my turntable. My D1100 for the most part sounds as good or better. I do notice if I turn the volume up on my C2300 in MC phono mode I hear a hash sound from the tubes. Would this be eliminated with the MP1100? Would it be only marginally better? Has anyone gone with a MP1100 D1100 combination without a c1100?

[j3brow]

Originally Posted by 1KW

I am very tempted with the Mcintosh trade in program in place in doing this . I am not unhappy with the C2300 phono however I hardly listen to vinyl anymore; I have to make an effort to play my turntable. My D1100 for the most part sounds as good or better. I do notice if I turn the volume up on my C2300 in MC phono mode I hear a hash sound from the tubes. Would this be eliminated with the MP1100? Would it be only marginally better? Has anyone gone with a MP1100 D1100 combination without a c1100?

The MP1100 will very likely be DEAD quiet just like the C1100. The c2300 —> MP1100 TradeUp program would not qualify. You’d be better off selling c2300 outright then working a deal on MP1100 with your dealer.

[RaceCarDriver]

Does anyone have anymore comments on the MP1100? I am currently using the phono on my C1100 and wondering if I should peep at the MP sometime this year.

[xv21]

Originally Posted by RaceCarDriver

Does anyone have anymore comments on the MP1100? I am currently using the phono on my C1100 and wondering if I should peep at the MP sometime this year.

McIntosh MP1100 is a really good phono preamplifier. It is better than the phono stage of McIntosh C52.

[med_designer]

I have been looking at the MP1100 as well vs. an all analog chain. For example:

Turntable Out --> MP1100 ---> D1100 --> MC152 --> Speakers

vs.

Turntable Out --> Manley Chinook --> PrimaLuna Integrated --> Speakers

I would need to buy either the MP1100 or the Chinook. Have the other gear. I could sell off a few pieces and then keep it all in the Mac family with the MP1100.

The plus side with the D1100 is it is a simply spectacular piece as is the MC152. I see many benefits here but then come around to keeping it all "analog" with the 2nd option which has both positives and negatives. I would be very interested if the OP tires the MP1100 --> D1100 route and if it works for them. The Mac stuff has been so good I tend to feel this would be the best option.

BYW, I owned the C47 before the D1100, and the D150 before the C47. I used the trade program to get into the D1100. I can tell you first hand the D1100 is clearly better than the C47 or D150. It is not subtle and very obvious on the first few seconds of playback - CD or SACD.

If the MP1100 has the same level of performance improvement over the other options mentioned here, it seems like it would be a winner. Expensive yes - but buy it once and be happy. Personally, I am tired of selling old gear I know longer need.

Wow - I may have just written myself into the MP1100.

[feinstei]

I have the following setup (not using any of the "digital" pieces of the MP-1100):

MT-5 with the MT-10 cartridge (a ClearAudio Talismann 2 Gold) cartridge installed in it-->MP1100-->C2300->MC-275 Mk VI->McIntosh XLS340 Speakers...

The biggest sound improvement that I EVER made in my audio system was adding the MP-1100. You will be "driven to tears" by the sound of this incredible piece of equipment. It is a "religious" experience to listen to a well recorded LP (RCA Living Stereo Red Seal) on this system. This phono preamp even makes badly mastered LP's sound wonderful.

[miner]

MP1100 is $$$X the Manley Chinook. The Chinook is a fine phono stage with the right tubes.