Newbee buyer questions

[bebop86]

Guys- I am slowly going to build a Mcintosh system to mate with my Dunlavy V speakers-I just got a mx-151 for my theater- So my question now is - I can pick up a pair of MC601's and for the moment use the 151 as a preamp( if it is any good)= or just get a used ma8000- the used 601's and the used 8000 would be around the same price-
Thks so much for the advice-

[bebop86]

wow nobody has an opinion-

[brownbear]

If those were my options, I'd go with the 601's. More bang for the buck.

[W9TR]

Go for the MC 601’s. Your MX-151 will work well as a preamp. If later you decide to get a dedicated stereo preamp you can always add it into your theater system using the HT bypass function on the preamp and the MX-151.

So lots of flexibility with the MC 601’s.

[PeterMusic]

Originally Posted by bebop86

Guys- I am slowly going to build a Mcintosh system to mate with my Dunlavy V speakers-I just got a mx-151 for my theater- So my question now is - I can pick up a pair of MC601's and for the moment use the 151 as a preamp( if it is any good)= or just get a used ma8000- the used 601's and the used 8000 would be around the same price-
Thks so much for the advice-

i have not used any of the units you mentioned, but the best advice for a newbie is to think of advice you get as hypotheses to test with your own ears. Go to you local dealer, listen to few different things, and then take home your favorite as a demo for a week. Listen under a variety of different circumstances with different types of music. If you still love it, pull the trigger. Also, if you think it's just "good", don't buy--this stuff's expensive, and you can find something to love. Good luck!

[Still-One]

As others noted, I would start with the 601's. They are fine amps.

[bebop86]

guys thanks so much- another question- If I go with the 601 and get a separate pre- can I use the pre through the 151 for room correction or should I get a separate MEn220 for the 2 channel room correction and use the 151 for movies- thanks for all the advice-

[PeterMusic]

The advice I gave before--listen before you buy--is even more important with the MEN220. Room correction is not a free lunch. In my system/room, just for example, it improved the bass, but reduced detail on the high enough that I decided not to buy.

I'd take the $5K or so that you would need for room correction and use it for power conditioning or grounding. Unlike room correction, power conditioning can improve sound across the board with no trade-offs. I love my Nordost QKore/QBase set up--it produced a startling improvement in detail and soundstage/imaging

[Yamaki]

Originally Posted by bebop86

Guys- I am slowly going to build a Mcintosh system to mate with my Dunlavy V speakers-I just got a mx-151 for my theater- So my question now is - I can pick up a pair of MC601's and for the moment use the 151 as a preamp( if it is any good)= or just get a used ma8000- the used 601's and the used 8000 would be around the same price-
Thks so much for the advice-

I am very happy with the MX151 2-channel section. I've formed the opinion, having owned 3 MX models and assorted pre-amps, that the MX series units come equipped with the 2-channel electronics that are present in the current dedicated 2-channel pre-amp unit offered at the time the MX unit was built.

I'd give the MX151 a chance to show you what you can do and get the MC601s for your system.

Originally Posted by bebop86

guys thanks so much- another question- If I go with the 601 and get a separate pre- can I use the pre through the 151 for room correction or should I get a separate MEn220 for the 2 channel room correction and use the 151 for movies- thanks for all the advice-

You can pass through the second pre-amp signal if you wish but I am not sure what benefits you'd realize having the MX process the sound. The MX unit is processing the sound based on the room correction setup which pre #2 was never subjected to. So all you would really be hearing is the MX.

Like I said earlier I'd try that MX151 2-channel pre-amp. You may very well be surprised.

[McMan]

I enjoy implementing some tubes into my system for music playback. So my recommendation would get the 601’s, then add a tube pre-amp with passthrough.