A newer preamp/control center?

[Mack]

You may also want to consider the MX-136

[70sMac]

Mack..... What do you like about the Mac MX-136?

[Mack]

Its ability to do either 2 channel or 5.1. Look at Masterlu's signature he uses one and he is considered the gold standard.

[70sMac]

Originally Posted by Mack

Its ability to do either 2 channel or 5.1. Look at Masterlu's signature he uses one and he is considered the gold standard.

Thanks for the reply, Mack. Is see that you're using a B&W speaker set for a surround setup. We already have our money into (4) speakers from the Nautilus series: (2) N802s and (2) N805s. We like them very much, but, as you can probably tell by now, we're trying to achieve a proper surround setup of our own.

The initial plan would be to keep the N802s out front and the N805s in the rear. Needless to say, this means that we're lacking a good center speaker and a subwoofer. As all four of the Nautilus speakers we own are Dark Cherry in color, I was wondering if you had any thoughts on what we could add to complete our first bona fide 5.1 surround speaker system?

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by Mack

Its ability to do either 2 channel or 5.1. Look at Masterlu's signature he uses one and he is considered the gold standard.

My MX-136 has a kind of cool back story. Many years ago, after hosting many home demo’s featuring all Mac’s best reference gear at the time. Charlie Randall presented me with a new MX-136 at n/c (their best at the time).

I was the very first person/dealer to own the XRT2KW speakers, and MC2KW’s amps. Both are numbered 002/003; numbers 000/001 are the prototypes which I was invited to Binghamton, NY to audition at the factory.

I bought them both on the spot.

I was also instrumental in their development of the matching XCS2K center channel.

The MX-136 has proven to sound extremely good, and rock solid over all these years.

[70sMac]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

My MX-136 has a kind of cool back story. Many years ago, after hosting many home demo’s featuring all Mac’s best reference gear at the time. Charlie Randall presented me with a new MX-136 at n/c (their best at the time).

I was the very first person/dealer to own the XRT2KW speakers, and MC2KW’s amps. Both are numbered 002/003; numbers 000/001 are the prototypes which I was invited to Binghamton, NY to audition at the factory.

I bought them both on the spot.

I was also instrumental in their development of the matching XCS2K center channel.

The MX-136 has proven to sound extremely good, and rock solid over all these years.

Thanks, Ivan, for your thoughts on the Mac MX-136. I'll do some reading up on that particular preamp/control center. I think that I'll ask you about the seating in your A/V room via the 'A Blast From The Past' thread...

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by 70sMac

Thanks, Ivan, for your thoughts on the Mac MX-136. I'll do some reading up on that particular preamp/control center. I think that I'll ask you about the seating in your A/V room via the 'A Blast From The Past' thread...

Just an FYI... you should definitely become a Subscriber. You will gain access to our Maretplace, send and receive PM’s and dozens of other benefits. Without question, it will be the best $25 you can spend for a full year.

https://www.audioaficionado.org/showthread.php?t=135

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[PMCH]

I still use a MX136 every day in my HT system. It has been problem free for many years. I had a MX120 which was also problem free but I preferred the sound quality of the MX136. I also now have a MX121 that I use in my TV system which I preferred over my MX120. They have all been built like tanks, sound great and no problems. The only issue I have with the MX's is how quickly they depreciate when purchased new. There are a lot of great deals out there for used ones though.

[Vintage Pete]

In my case, the MX136 just would not fit into the system I was coverting.. It's simply too tall. I would have liked an MC205 too, but once again too tall. These are big boxes!





I have absolutely no complaints with the sound qualityof the MX120. Aside from being a nice processor, it's a very good preamp as well IMO.

[70sMac]

Originally Posted by PMCH

I still use a MX136 every day in my HT system. It has been problem free for many years. I had a MX120 which was also problem free but I preferred the sound quality of the MX136. I also now have a MX121 that I use in my TV system which I preferred over my MX120. They have all been built like tanks, sound great and no problems. The only issue I have with the MX's is how quickly they depreciate when purchased new. There are a lot of great deals out there for used ones though.

Originally Posted by Vintage Pete

In my case, the MX136 just would not fit into the system I was coverting.. It's simply too tall. I would have liked an MC205 too, but once again too tall. These are big boxes!

I have absolutely no complaints with the sound qualityof the MX120. Aside from being a nice processor, it's a very good preamp as well IMO.

Varying opinions add lots of interest to the discussion. Please keep those thoughts and opinions coming.