Advice please-pre amp choice.....

[tom1120s]

So, I have the following gear in my Man Cave space:

McIntosh MC601's
JBL 4365 speakers

I am looking for advice for a pre amp. I think I have it narrowed down to two:

McIntosh C50
Marantz SC7S2

both going to be purchased on used marketplace.

To those who have perhaps heard both, what would be your choice?

Thanks!
Tom

[beowulf]

Are tubes out of the equation? If not, I would consider a C22, C2300 or C2500 ... also would just like to throw this out there but the Vinnie Rossi LIO looks to be a pretty amazing product.

[Weirdcuba]

Have a look at the accuphase c2420 in the marketplace.

[djwhog]

I like the tubes with the 601 that is what I have, next would be the C50

[tom1120s]

FWIW, I am going with a C50. I have heard some indicate the JBL 4365 speakers need a boost in the LF so I thought having a built in EQ. would be helpful rather than just bass/treble controls. Plus, I don't have to introduce another component into the signal chain (think added noise).

[Wasatch]

I would stay with McIntosh, better synergy. Go with tubes.

[Gravity1]

In the used market you should be able to get a C2500 with a MEN220 for quite a deal if you wanted flexibility on the crossover and EQ side and stay with tubes. Absolutely love my 2500 and will be trying a MEN220 in a week or so to see if I want it.

[audioguy3107]

Originally Posted by Gravity1

In the used market you should be able to get a C2500 with a MEN220 for quite a deal if you wanted flexibility on the crossover and EQ side and stay with tubes. Absolutely love my 2500 and will be trying a MEN220 in a week or so to see if I want it.

Jeez man, that avatar. Make it stop!!!!!

[Campo007]

I too have JBL 4365's. I drive them with Audio Note Kits EL34 Mono Blocks. Last month i started using a passive preamp. Dave Slagle autoformers. They sound superb. If you have enough gain in your system, they're worth checking out.

[tom_hankins]

When I had my 601s I used the preamp section of my MA8000 (C50) and had the C2500 here. To me the c50 was much better than the 2500, even after putting some very high $$$ tubes in the 2500. In the end I added the BAT VK-52se preamp and it was case closed. Both Mac pre and integrated gone. BAT was on a different level.