Just what the doctor ordered

[1KW]

My son is graduating medical school ( but still has 5 more years as a resident before he is finished and can afford to upgrade ) and I was thinking of buying him either a nice integrated amp or one of the new MC275 amps. as a graduation gift. He is not an audiophile and streams all his music now from Pandora. I am leaning toward Mcintosh since I have been happy with mine. The idea being to get him something that he might keep around later when he can afford better if he gets into it but will retain some sentimental value later. Since he streams most of his music so if I were to buy him a MC275 he could start off using a sonos as his pre amp/ streamer initially or he could hook it up to a integrated with a built in preamp . I am open to suggestions?

[jameslrock]

Take a look at the PS Audio Sprout. This is a low cost item but has the bluetooth connection as well as the ability to add a turntable and other sources. If he is streaming with Pandora then that is a fairly compressed format even with Pandora One subscription so he will not loose much of anything with bluetooth and he will have other connectivity to provide flexibility of sources. With the low cost you will be able to add some nice efficient speakers for a complete system.

[Antonmb]

Do you have a specific budget in mind? A McIntosh piece would certainly be something to keep and build on. Only thought re the 275 is the potential cost of tube maintenance if he's going to be on a budget for a few years. What about a Mc solid state integrated? That could be the foundation of a great system, starting with a Sonos but still allowing for the addition of a turntable if he should get the bug.

[crwilli]

Originally Posted by Antonmb

Do you have a specific budget in mind? A McIntosh piece would certainly be something to keep and build on. Only thought re the 275 is the potential cost of tube maintenance if he's going to be on a budget for a few years. What about a Mc solid state integrated? That could be the foundation of a great system, starting with a Sonos but still allowing for the addition of a turntable if he should get the bug.

An integrated us where my head went. Great platform to use and grow from.

[PMCH]

You are a great Dad for thinking of purchasing your son some McIntosh gear. I blame my son for my addition to McIntosh. My son went to medical school in Binghamton so it cost me quite a bit to visit him. It seemed like I would stop by Audio Classics and buy a new audio piece every time I saw him. He is now out of residency and fellowship so he can afford to purchase what he wants. He still has my hand me down audio equipment.

[McPlanar]

What about the MXA70? The cost is equivalent to the 275. It will fit into a small space and he can still stream his music. Also in the future it could go into his office.

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[1KW]

Thanks for the recommendations, please keep them coming as I am still undecided which way to go ?

[Formerly YB-2]

Overture in Wilmington had a McIntosh MA6600 trade-in last week. Great McIntosh integrated amp.

[wgb113]

As partial as I am to McIntosh the Parasound Halo integrated is a near-perfect modern day integrated amp in terms of features in my opinion. It's well built and should serve him well both now and for years to come.

[1KW]

Thanks for all the recommendations. After talking to my son he would be just as happy with a sonos sound bar and surround system. I know crazy right . I going to buy him a Rolex for graduation instead since he would rather that.