Which 2nd Amp Would You Recommend?

[Snommisbor]

Looking to add some McIntosh equipment to my system and one thing I need is a second amp. This will let me get rid of my Rotel and be able to run all of my speakers through the House with Mcintosh. I have the MX121 and MC205 running my BW 804S as my LCR speakers and some in ceiling which I need to put BWs in there for my surround. My thoughts are to add a 2 channel amp and run the 804S and then my Center and Surrounds powered by the MC205. Then the other 2 channels from the MC205 power the house speakers. I know 804S like power but how much is enough? Should I go with a MC 252, MC302, MC402 or even the MC275? I do love tube amps. If I went the tube route would that mess up sound when watching movies being 2 speakers are tube and 3 run from SS.

[Levitator]

I did a very similar thing by starting with a 205 then adding a 452 for 2 channel then a c2500 tube pre amp for that tube element - the difference after this compared to the start was not subtle!

Good luck with it!

[damacman]

2nd vote for the MC452. Also agreeing with Levitator on the two preamp approach.

[JWJW]

4 5 2

[Grasshopper]

What is your budget?

I have the mc402 driving my B&W 800s.

Seems like any more amp would be way overkill for some 804s imho.

How do your 804s currently sound through your 205?

[Snommisbor]

They sound great with movies wether streaming or BluRay. It’s just vinyl sounds a little lacking. Which I’m looking at getting a stereo preamp as well.

[Grasshopper]

Originally Posted by Snommisbor

They sound great with movies wether streaming or BluRay. It’s just vinyl sounds a little lacking. Which I’m looking at getting a stereo preamp as well.

For the 804s have you considered adding something like the MAC6700 integrated?

200wpc should be plenty of grunt. Also has a theater passthru (I believe) so you could integrate into the HT as well. (And a built in DAC, phono and tuner).

There’s a used MAC6700 for sale right now in the marketplace.

I have a MAC6700 and it sounds awesome. More than enough power for my Sonus Faber Cremonas, which seems like it’d be comparable to your 804s.

You get the benefit of having a McIntosh preamp and power amp (with autoformers) in one chassis.

My reference system has B&W signature 800s powered my the mc402 and a c2300 preamp. It sounds great, but I’m surprised how close the MAC6700 gets me to my main rig.

Certainly, if you’d prefer to spend $10k+, then buy separates...just in my opinion you could get pretty close (and save a ton) with a 200wpc McIntosh integrated.

[damacman]

Originally Posted by Grasshopper

For the 804s have you considered adding something like the MAC6700 integrated?

200wpc should be plenty of grunt. Also has a theater passthru (I believe) so you could integrate into the HT as well. (And a built in DAC, phono and tuner).

There’s a used MAC6700 for sale right now in the marketplace.

I have a MAC6700 and it sounds awesome. More than enough power for my Sonus Faber Cremonas, which seems like it’d be comparable to your 804s.

You get the benefit of having a McIntosh preamp and power amp (with autoformers) in one chassis.

My reference system has B&W signature 800s powered my the mc402 and a c2300 preamp. It sounds great, but I’m surprised how close the MAC6700 gets me to my main rig.

Certainly, if you’d prefer to spend $10k+, then buy separates...just in my opinion you could get pretty close (and save a ton) with a 200wpc McIntosh integrated.

That's actually an excellent suggestion. I just looked - the MAC6700 does indeed have Pass Thru compatibility. If you preferred an integrated amp vs a receiver, the MA8900 and MA9000 both also have the Pass Thru feature.

Talk about killing two birds with one stone ...

[Veteq]

I own a MC275 and used to own a 402. A friend owns a 452...easy...452