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McIntosh Audio A Tradition of Excellence |
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#1
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Building my first Mcintosh system
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 |
#2
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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!
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Sources: Vinyl: Clearaudio Innovation Wood turntable with 9" Universal tonearm, Da Vinci V2 cartridge, Stillpoints SS & Stillpoints clamp, McIntosh MVP 901, Apple Mac mini via Benchmark DAC 1, Aurender N100C via Schiit Yggdrasil Control: McIntosh C1100, Mcintosh MX151 Power: Mcintosh MC2301s (front), McIntosh MC501 (center), Mcintosh MC402 (rear) Speakers: Sonus Faber Amati Futura (front and back), SF Vox center Power/connections: PS Audio Power Port receptacles, RGPC 400 pro (2) WireWorld interconnects and speaker cable |
#3
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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.
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“Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans” |
#4
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I run a C2500 with a MC152 which I play 8 hours daily. Very fatigue free sound with excellent dynamics.
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#5
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+1, very common combination around here.
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#6
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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 |
#7
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Great combo to get started. Used prices can be your friend.
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#8
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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
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Main System: Amati Futura Mains Amati Homage VOX Center, Proac Response 1sc Rears, Three MC2301's for L,C,R MC 602 for the rears C 1100, MX 151, MCD 1100, MR 80 Nottingham Dais with Wave Mechanic Sumiko Palo Santos Presentation SurfacePro 3, RPi 4, ROON, WW Starlight Platinum USB, Schiit Yggdrasil, Benchmark DAC3 HGC MX 151, OppO BDP-95, JVC RS-500 DILA projector, 106" diagonal Stewart Luxus Screenwall Deluxe with Studiotek 130 G3 material. Lake House: Ohm F, MC 275V, C2300, MR 77, Rega P3 OnDeck: McIntosh MAC 4300v |
#9
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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. |
#10
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Quote:
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. |
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