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  #1  
Old 07-28-2018, 08:29 AM
David David is offline
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Default Non-Mac preamp recommendations for an MC152 power amp please

I would appreciate a preamp recommendation for my second system which uses an MC-152 power amp. I am looking for a slim profile tube like solid state preamp that has good compatibility with Mac power amps.

The second system is located in a small bedroom/den in my winter condo in Florida. The issue is primarily aesthetic. I own a C47 which is fine sonicly but is too big and bulky in the room. I moved it to my main system in my summer house. I have an old Mac slimline MSD4 which I can use temporarily, but the quality of the sound is dated.

Unfortunately these days given the shortage of dealers it is hard to do comparative auditions especially if you want to try it with a particular power amp. I was able to hear a Rogue RP-5 and a Hegel P20, but the audition was with a non-Mac power amp. I liked the clarity of the Hegel.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Last edited by jdandy; 07-28-2018 at 10:45 AM. Reason: correct typo in title
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Old 07-28-2018, 09:34 AM
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W9TR W9TR is offline
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David,
Do you have any analog sources in this room?
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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
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  #3  
Old 07-28-2018, 09:49 AM
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EfeTe EfeTe is offline
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Personally I'd look at Pass Labs first. Nice combination of the Mac house sound and NP's sweetness.
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Old 07-28-2018, 09:52 AM
David David is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by W9TR View Post
David,
Do you have any analog sources in this room?
No. One source which is a mini computer.
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  #5  
Old 07-28-2018, 10:07 AM
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W9TR W9TR is offline
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To keep in the McIntosh family, you may consider the D 150.

https://www.mcintoshlabs.com/product...mplifiers/D150

Tom
__________________
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
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Old 07-28-2018, 10:10 AM
David David is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by W9TR View Post
To keep in the McIntosh family, you may consider the D 150.

https://www.mcintoshlabs.com/product...mplifiers/D150

Tom
Thanks Tom. I am happy with my current DAC, but that is an option I haven't considered. I didn't like the DAC in the C47. Is the DAC in the D150 similar?

Last edited by David; 07-31-2018 at 10:09 PM.
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  #7  
Old 07-28-2018, 10:31 AM
mati1979 mati1979 is offline
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i have tried severals pre with power MC and only pres MC work good with powers mc.

D150 its not a pre..(but you can use as pre..) they have sound very closed directly with power amp.
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  #8  
Old 07-28-2018, 10:38 AM
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W9TR W9TR is offline
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David,
I see the title of your thread is non-Mac preamps. Sorry about that!

Not sure of the DAC in the D150. It will be some variant of the ESS Sabre-based DAC that MAC is using in all their stuff.

Tom
__________________
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
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  #9  
Old 07-28-2018, 10:48 AM
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I've had the D100 (equal to the 150 minus DSD) along with the 152. Was good but I preferred something a bit more engaging and musical. Hence my Pass Labs recommendation buddy
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  #10  
Old 07-28-2018, 11:22 AM
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stereo_5 stereo_5 is offline
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I owned a Rogue RP5 preamp and it was stupid good for the money. Very quiet and very flexible with inputs and outputs. The phono section is very good and gives plenty of loading options. I had it with my MC152 amp and the sound was excellent!

I ended up purchasing a C2500 to go with the McIntosh amp but it was more for aesthetics than the sound. The C2500 does sound a tiny bit better, but not by much. The RP5 is an excellent choice.
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