McIntosh Preamp

[eziggy]

Hi All, have a question in regards to McIntosh preamps and amps with ML speakers. I have the MC452 paired with ML 11As, Meridian 218 DAC/Streamer and Marantz 8805. Most music I listen to is streamed Tidal and I would characterize the Meridian as neutral, very smooth, not warm nor bright.

Currently I am using the Marantz 88005 as the preamp and as can be expected it’s not giving everything I am looking for 2ch music. By biggest boggle is with instrument/vocal separation and crispness with instruments, particularly classical. Given that the MLs are fairly warm In general and don’t produce very high frequencies as well as speakers with tweeters, I am wondering if McIntosh may be a tad too warm for the sound I am looking for.

From your experience, would adding a C47/C52 or C2300/2500/2600 give that crispness I am looking for? By crispness I mean hearing the bow slide over a violin string. I love the warmth for long listening session, especially jazz, but I feel it may decrease the clarity with the MLs.

Given budget, the other option I am considering is moving to a Luxman 509X integrated which I hear brings in amazing detail and separation (started a thread on ML forum for thoughts on ML pairing).

Thanks!

[Ruger2]

Hi eziggy

My current setup consisting of ML 15a's, BF210 subs, C52, PS Audio M700 amps and PS Audio DS sr. The majority of my music streamed from Tidal with Roon. Jazz, blues and rock & roll being my choice of genres.

I replaced my D150 for the C52 to allow growth for an analog rig in the future. In addition I thought I could probably use the built in EQ for tweaking lesser quality (older) recordings. To date the EQ function along with other associated tweaks are bypassed. Bass reproduction is excellent although with some recordings the upper frequency can be a little much depending on volume. The C52 does a marvelous job and was a major improvement to my system. Utilizing your MC452 along with the C52 should be a most pleasant result.

FWIW I have a pair of MC611's in transit for my next step up that will relieve my sometimes bright upper frequency concerns. Good luck.