Building my first Mcintosh system

[Ym2000]

Looks like I got a green light from my wife to get the audio system i always wanted in our home library.
Really no budget restraints as long as its not overkill - I started just thinking I can add MA252 with streamer/ DAC and now after being on this forum for a few days I'm looking at c1100 which might be too much. Haha.
I think I would like to get pre/ stereo amp combo but not sure if I want tubes or SS.
My primary source will be streaming Tidal or Cd's. I would love to add turntable at some point in the future.
Looks like people like MC275/ c2600 combo or C52/47 with MC 312/152
The system will be paired with Sonus Faber Guarneri speakers.
Please let me know your thoughts

[80B]

Welcome Ym2000! You should post some photos of the space (need to join, for a modest fee - well worth it for the insights and advice). While you'll get a lot of great advice (and opinions), your ears are of course the final arbiter. The MC275/C2600 combo is something you really can't go wrong with. You have the opportunity to do tube rolling should you want to go down that path. Good luck!

[miner]

I might suggest a non-DAC tubed pre (C2300) and a SS amp of you choice. A nice mix of warmth of tubes with slam of solid state.

[stereo_5]

I run a C2500 with a MC152 which I play 8 hours daily. Very fatigue free sound with excellent dynamics.

[Maks]

Originally Posted by miner

I might suggest a non-DAC tubed pre (C2300) and a SS amp of you choice. A nice mix of warmth of tubes with slam of solid state.

+1, very common combination around here.

[JBT]

If your not dead set on building a complete Mcintosh system and want to save some money the Benchmark DAC 3 would be an excellent option.


https://www.whathifi.com/benchmark/dac3-hgc/review

[Jdsmoke]

Originally Posted by stereo_5

I run a C2500 with a MC152 which I play 8 hours daily. Very fatigue free sound with excellent dynamics.

Great combo to get started. Used prices can be your friend.

[W9TR]

As you can see already there are a lot of great options for you.

Let us know if you want to buy new or used, and how much space you have for the gear - that will drive a lot of your choices. There are no wrong answers here.

Tom

[Ym2000]

This is the space . Well, its almost accurate representation although the sound system will go on the left side, just outside the frame, in front of windows that are there.

[Ym2000]

Originally Posted by W9TR

As you can see already there are a lot of great options for you.

Let us know if you want to buy new or used, and how much space you have for the gear - that will drive a lot of your choices. There are no wrong answers here.

Tom

Thank you! And thank you to everyone for your responses and suggestions!
I think I want to buy new - I can get a great discount through my friends.
It’s about 6 feet wide space to accommodate speakers and a rack.
Although I do understand that sound is a very personal experience, I also wanted to find out about components that either have a great reliability, upgradability or just the best McIntosh makes.
There is so much information out there that it’s just too overwhelming. I live in Maine and we don’t have places I can go and listen unfortunately.