Opinion needed: Pre-Amp (bypass a dac)?

[jdcarlson]

For a cheap solution that will also generate 5.1 surround, try the MAC-3. There are newer and better DACs around, but one can pick up a MAC-3 for $500 or so on the used market.
As to using the 150 or 151, while these have room perfect (on all channels) they have no provision for bi-amping speakers. If you anticipate doing that, you will need the MEN220, since it includes provision for bi-amping. BUT - MEN220 is strictly two channel.
I am not familiar with all input options on your current front end gear, but if you go with the MAC-3 you will need some way to handle 5.1 inputs to get surround sound - which is going to require additional power amps and speakers.
Another option is the MHT200. Digital and analog inputs, 7.1 built in, with power amps built in. All in one unit. The big drawback to the MHT200 is that is has no output transformers ("autoformers" per McIntosh) on the power amps.
But - for pure quality of sound, I echo the recommendation for C1000T.
But when you want 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound to have the sound quality of the C1000T, or something similar, along with your MC501s, you are talking about megabucks.

[ChicagoDog]

I guess my question should be this: A person currently has 2 MC501 amps, a MCD100, a MDA1000, a MS750 and a C1000C/T. They now want to add 5.1 surround capability (just for casual and occasional movies via DirecTv, Blu Ray Disc via a McIntosh MVP 891 or via Amazon Fire TV)...without any compromise of their current "reference" 2 channel set up. That is key here being without compromise of the 2 channel set up and they are on a major budget to add this 5.1 capability. Their next step/need would then be to add 3 more MC501 (or similar amps) to handle center, left rear and left right for their 5.1 desires. Next step would be to add a center speaker and a left and right rear speaker and finally a powered sub. But the real FINAL Step is to figure out how to add a McIntosh branded unit that adds simple 5.1 capability without compromising the "reference" 2 channel system they originally had in place.

[W9TR]

I use a McIntosh MX 151 that, when turned on, puts the McIntosh C500t into bypass mode, turns on the MC 2301 running the center channel, the MC 602 that runs the surrounds, the subwoofer amp, and the projector. I use a Logitech remote programmed with activities like "Listen to Vinyl" which turns on only the 2 channel rig, or "Watch a Movie" which turns on everything. I think this is the best way to combine a 2 channel setup with 5.1. The MX 151 is now dated, but does sound terrific for movies and the occasional multichannel SACD.

[ChicagoDog]

Originally Posted by W9TR

I use a McIntosh MX 151 that, when turned on, puts the McIntosh C500t into bypass mode, turns on the MC 2301 running the center channel, the MC 602 that runs the surrounds, the subwoofer amp, and the projector. I use a Logitech remote programmed with activities like "Listen to Vinyl" which turns on only the 2 channel rig, or "Watch a Movie" which turns on everything. I think this is the best way to combine a 2 channel setup with 5.1. The MX 151 is now dated, but does sound terrific for movies and the occasional multichannel SACD.

Ok, that sounds like exactly what I need to do then, including the remote to make it more wife friendly. Now, is the mx151 THAT much better than a mx121 for my simple needs? The price difference is the cost of a single mc501!

[W9TR]

IMO for a normal 5.1 system the MX 121 leaves very little on the table compared to the 151. I wanted the Lyngdorf Room Perfect system, so MX 151 it was. Since neither does Atmos and DTS X, not to mention 4K, they are declining rapidly in value, so it may depend on who is dealing.

[ChicagoDog]

UPDATE: I think my best point from a financial standpoint is to temporarily stop gap by purchasing a Denon 7.1 all in one that handles 4k, etc. IF I went ahead with an all Mac 5.1 I'd be stuck buying a MC 303 (probably 6k) and that introduces cabinet fit issues due to its size then plus buying a MX151 (about 3800-4000) and the mx151 seems to be plagued with some bugs, doesn't do 4k, etc, etc. SO...how about I just grab a mid range Denon with amps built in, 4k capability, dts x, etc and just run an extra set of wires (use spades from the Mc mono blocks and bananas from the Denon) to my all McIntosh 2 channel system speakers. It's just going to be for direct tv watching, amazon fire tv streaming. Thoughts?

[edward3132]

From reading your previous posts there is a mention of a C1000t preamp. If you have such a preamp then you can use its passthru feature to accomplish what you want.

I currently have a Marantz SR5010 that does 5.1.2 Atmos/4K etc. that I use with a C500t.

If you have a preamp that does passthru then any AV receiver that has preouts and a trigger output will work

[W9TR]

...how about I just grab a mid range Denon with amps built in, 4k capability, dts x, etc and just run an extra set of wires (use spades from the Mc mono blocks and bananas from the Denon) to my all McIntosh 2 channel system speakers....

Makes sense - you would need to swap the cables back and forth when using 2 CH rig or the Denon - unless you made DAMN SURE that they were both relay isolated (not sure) and NEVER turned them on together. And had away to make sure no one else in your household could make that fatal mistake.

I think the Denon would lose a street fight with the 501 in a heartbeat.

[ChicagoDog]

Still on the fence but now back leaning towards just getting an MX 121. I guess I can just run all my HDMI cables from my from Fire TV, Direct Tv receiver and my blu ray DVD player to my television and then 1 optical output from the television into the MX 121 for 5.1 sound. When I want pure 2 channel Mc I can bypass the 121. Not a done deal but I'm pretty darn close. Yes, a lot more $ than just buying a receiver with built in amps, etc but you guys know how it is. NOW, I just need someone to sell me a single MC 501 *sigh* I can't find one anywhere and AC just sold the one they had forever last week.

[damacman]

I've been doing this for 20+ years now. My first foray was an Adcom GTP-600 AVP used in conjunction with a McIntosh C29. I ran that setup for a few years before Dolby Digital became the norm. I sold the Adcom and upgraded to an Integra DTR-9.1 AVR. Shortly after, I eliminated the C29 as the phono section in the Integra was decent and at that time I found myself listening to more multi-ch music than 2-ch.

In either setup, I simply connected the FL & FR line outputs of the AV unit to the AUX inputs of the C29. I set levels with the C29's volume setting at 3 o'clock. This is a kludge from an operational standpoint for the family.

Today, I use an Integra DHC-80.6 and a C200 - the PASSTHRU feature makes it a breeze. There is no going back to any other method.