Adding a Stereo PreAmp to an MX121

[Snommisbor]

Hi,

I run an MX121 with the MC205 and BW 804's as my LCR and some ceiling speakers which I need to convert to BW's. And I have an Oppo BluRay player and a Music Hall turntable. As far as movies the sound is great but when I feel like listening to vinyl it just doesn't have the same dynamic sound as my movies. Wondering if it would be possible to run a separate Stereo Pre Amp through the MC205 or if that would actually even improve my audio and Im just not having a correct setting for vinyl. And if I would get better sound through a dedicated Stereo preamp, what would be a good Mcintosh recommendation. Modern version or even vintage. Or just stick with the MX121.

[njcardave]

I am also running an MX121. Recently added a C47 preamp. The set up is plug and play by using the connecting 3.5mm cables from my c47 preamp to mx121 and mc352. The c47 is a dedicated 2 channel preamp. My Focal Sopra2's sound more revealing.

[damacman]

Have a close look at the OM and supplements - specifically the discussion (and diagrams) of using a McIntosh stereo preamplifier in conjunction with the MX121. Then, all you need is a McIntosh stereo preamp with the Pass Thru feature.

Once you go that route, no going back.

[feinstei]

My Phono setup is as follows:
McIntosh MT-5 fitted with the MT-10's cartridge (which is really a ClearAudio Talismann 2 Gold with McIntosh branding)-> McIntosh MP-1100-> C2300->MC-275....

I now have the MX-121's front two channels feeding my C2300->MC-275 for the my MVP-891/MLD-7020/TV Set front two channels and an MC-7106 for the center and rear.

THE VERY BEST THING THAT YOU CAN DO AND THE THING THAT BRINGS VINYL "TO LIFE" IS THE MP-1100.... Add the MP-1100 and you will be blown away every time you put on a piece of vinyl.

The C2300 and the MC-275 are fine and nice and make my other stuff sound okay, but I can't really hear much of a difference between the MX-121 feeding the amp and the C2300 feeding the amp in blind A/B tests. The C2300's Moving-Coil phono section is nothing special. I could dump the C2300 and be perfectly happy with the MX-121 feeding all 5 channels.

I had an MP-100 (the solid state phono preamp) but it was okay, but nothing special. I traded it in on the MP-1100 at Audio Classics.....

However, you would have to pry the MP-1100 from my cold dead hands in order to get me to give it up. I have NEVER heard a more DRAMATIC improvement in my stereo as when I put the MP-1100 into the mix. The imaging is superb, the ability to place myself in the studio/concert hall on Red Seal Living Stereo/Living Presence symphonic recordings brings me to tears every time I listen, whether through the front channels of the MX-121 or the C2300. Sinatra Capitol LP's are incredible. Even crappily-recorded records like "Wheels Of Fire" (Japanese RSO version with metallic aluminum cover) are dramatically listenable when put though the MP-1100.

Find a demo/trade-in at Audio Classics for that MP-1100, feed it through the MX-121, and you will have reached audio nirvana.....

[j3brow]

Originally Posted by feinstei

My Phono setup is as follows:
McIntosh MT-5 fitted with the MT-10's cartridge (which is really a ClearAudio Talismann 2 Gold with McIntosh branding)-> McIntosh MP-1100-> C2300->MC-275....

I now have the MX-121's front two channels feeding my C2300->MC-275 for the my MVP-891/MLD-7020/TV Set front two channels and an MC-7106 for the center and rear.

THE VERY BEST THING THAT YOU CAN DO AND THE THING THAT BRINGS VINYL "TO LIFE" IS THE MP-1100.... Add the MP-1100 and you will be blown away every time you put on a piece of vinyl.

The C2300 and the MC-275 are fine and nice and make my other stuff sound okay, but I can't really hear much of a difference between the MX-121 feeding the amp and the C2300 feeding the amp in blind A/B tests. The C2300's Moving-Coil phono section is nothing special. I could dump the C2300 and be perfectly happy with the MX-121 feeding all 5 channels.

I had an MP-100 (the solid state phono preamp) but it was okay, but nothing special. I traded it in on the MP-1100 at Audio Classics.....

However, you would have to pry the MP-1100 from my cold dead hands in order to get me to give it up. I have NEVER heard a more DRAMATIC improvement in my stereo as when I put the MP-1100 into the mix. The imaging is superb, the ability to place myself in the studio/concert hall on Red Seal Living Stereo/Living Presence symphonic recordings brings me to tears every time I listen, whether through the front channels of the MX-121 or the C2300. Sinatra Capitol LP's are incredible. Even crappily-recorded records like "Wheels Of Fire" (Japanese RSO version with metallic aluminum cover) are dramatically listenable when put though the MP-1100.

Find a demo/trade-in at Audio Classics for that MP-1100, feed it through the MX-121, and you will have reached audio nirvana.....

Very exciting post! I see a MP1100 in my near future paired with MT10/stock cart..... still wonder how it compares to my C1100 phono.

[feinstei]

Originally Posted by j3brow

still wonder how it compares to my C1100 phono.

I wonder if it's not exactly the same. I only could compare it with the C2300 and MP100's phono sections. The C1100 is probably in a totally different ball park than the two that I mentioned.

[PMCH]

I thought the C1100 would have a better phono section than it does for me. It seemed to be similar to the phono section in my C2300. I used an Audia Flight dedicated phono preamp and for me it was much better. I would imagine the MP1100 has a much better phono stage than what is in the C1100. I do love the C1100 for its line inputs and it would be great to use in passthough with a MX121.

[Snommisbor]

Thanks for the great info. Any other opinions are always welcome. I have another question but will post a new thread for it.

[feinstei]

The best thing to do if you don't have a dealer is ask Audio Classics to send you one with return privileges. Then you can listen to it in your home and verify that what I said about it is true. Anyone who listens to one wants one. The MP-1100 shows how wonderful it is even to non-audiophiles. I've had a long association with audiophile tube equipment (the latest being Marantz 7C/8B/9 reissues from VAC) but NOTHING added more to my phono playing capability and enjoyment than trading up to the MP-1100. Best investment I ever made....