Stereo in an A\V Processor

[rony]

I have the MX123+MC255 , An A\V kit.
In Stereo mode , Can I receive better Audio quality if I'll add a dedicated Stereo
Amp or preamp (Don't know what) ?
Any advice which Mcintosh product to add (If it's possible ) ?
Or stay as now ..
Thanks

[RaceCarDriver]

If you decided to add a McIntosh Pre-Amp, you would hook up the Pre-Amp to your front left and right channels of your 255.

The front channel outputs of your 123 would go into the McIntosh Pre-amp (say C2700)

You then would hook up the 12v Trigger from the 123 to the passthru input of the C2700.


What this will do, is all your 2 channel sources go to the 2700, say turntable streamer, disc player etc. When you listen to 2 channel, its the 2700 and 255 powered up only.

When you power up the 123 to watch a movie, the 12v trigger turns on your 2700 automatically and puts the 2700 into home theater passthru mode. This disables all eq/source selection/volume etc of the C2700. Your front channels of the 123 simply pass through the C2700 to the 255 amp.

I did that for a few years with my HT processor and C1100 pre-amp.

Just note not all McIntosh 2 channel pre-amps have passthru mode. Just look for the input on the back or check the manuals.

[rony]

Hi.
Thanks very much indeed for your reply.
I now need to learn your reply deeply.
All the best
Ronen

[esweter]

I have an MX 151 home theater processor. While it is totally excellent for surroundsound, I don’t know why, but when I use it for just two channel, it does not sound as good as my dedicated stereo preamp with pass-through mode. Hope this helps and good luck.

Eric

[rony]

Exactly.
Same as with me.
Thanks!!!

[TWInsall]

It depends on which processor you have and which pre-amp you choose and the sound you prefer. I have a switch box where I can transfer the front two channels between any processor or pre-amp. My C-34 sounded better than my MX-119 and 120 but not as good as my MX 151. Its all about personal choice. I love the C-500 T and C-1000T, but neither has the features or flexibility I want. I am less enamored with the C-22III, C220 and C2200. But thats just me. I do prefer SS pre-amps , but the new ones don't have the features I need either. Thats why I stick with my C-34 with a MP 100 to improve the phono section for my analog stereo pre-amp. I liked the C-200, but doesn't have tone controls. I wish Mac would make a separate program eq with separate controls for each channel and variable HP and Low pass filters I could use it in processor loops. Then I could choose other less flexible pre-amps. But until then I'll stick with my C-34. It might be fun to have a C-53 if it were more flexible, it has to sound better than my C34 and it has that +Digital input module.

[rony]

Originally Posted by RaceCarDriver

If you decided to add a McIntosh Pre-Amp, you would hook up the Pre-Amp to your front left and right channels of your 255.

The front channel outputs of your 123 would go into the McIntosh Pre-amp (say C2700)

You then would hook up the 12v Trigger from the 123 to the passthru input of the C2700.


What this will do, is all your 2 channel sources go to the 2700, say turntable streamer, disc player etc. When you listen to 2 channel, its the 2700 and 255 powered up only.

When you power up the 123 to watch a movie, the 12v trigger turns on your 2700 automatically and puts the 2700 into home theater passthru mode. This disables all eq/source selection/volume etc of the C2700. Your front channels of the 123 simply pass through the C2700 to the 255 amp.

I did that for a few years with my HT processor and C1100 pre-amp.

Just note not all McIntosh 2 channel pre-amps have passthru mode. Just look for the input on the back or check the manuals.

Question:
Is passthru solution reduce Audio quality ? ( Both in surround and Stereo modes. )

[RaceCarDriver]

It shouldn’t. It take the input signal coming from your MX123 and simply passes it through the preamp. The preamp has 0 control of the signal.

When you are listing to stereo sources they are fed to your preamp, not your MX123, so you should hear and improvement.

[rony]

Thank you!
Ps.
In HomeTheater movie, When only Stereo format produced , Will I hear stereo movie sound only via the added pre amp ?

[trponhunter]

simply - no.