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A McIntosh for $1000 possible?

C

cnsoverload

Member
I have an Accuphase 180w/channel already, as well as Marantz 1120 and Luxman R-1070.
The Accuphase blows away the latter (being 4x the price etc.) but now I'm looking for a McIntosh to
replace the the Marantz and Luxman because I'm looking for an upgrade.
I could get another (a cheaper) Accuphase but I want to try Mcintosh as I've never owned one.
The problem is, cost and reliability (which is basically another cost ).

So I'm reaching out here to ask if it's possible to get a decent integrated McIntosh for 1000USD (though I'm in Canada),
and if so which models?
I'm open to going Separates but again that'll probably be even more expensive (unless you're recommending me to use my existing Marantz / Luxman.

My Accuphase currently drives Ohm L in the bedroom - large ideal listening space.
and
the new Mc will be driving Kef LS50s at the computer - very large living room but near field listening.

If the Mc is superior to my Accuphase then, they'll be swapped.
I have recapped and restored amps / speakers but prefer not to do much of this nowadays.
 
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I am going to coin a phrase here, in the mid modern era of McIntosh history the MA6100 and ten year newer MAC4100 were/are the best value units to get in to McIntosh.

Both units have their downside though......the 4100 is a receiver and it is silver not black glass.

The MA6100 has some well known service issues that we have been addressing now over the last 30 years.

According to the two most reliable resale companies the pricing on most all Mac units are escalating almost as much as the American stock market.

At some point in time you need to jump on the wagon and give it a go. Just remember both units have parts inside that exceeded their expected usable life span decades ago so a unit with a warranty at the least or a documented restoration at best might be a important consideration.
 
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Mac 6100 is a wonderful sounding integrated amplifier. Smooth, non fatigueing, but with excellent detail retrieval and enough power for most needs.

You may also find a later SS tuner preamp, and a 2100 amplifier for around $1k.
 
Thanks all for your feedback. I had a chance to listen to a MA6100 today and love the sound, even paired it to a Audio Research CL60 power amp. The MA6100 SQ is great but it doesn't have enough power for the music I listened to / matching my Ohm speakers (I brought my speaker to audition). With the Audio Research the stage opened up a bit more, bass tightened etc., it was definitely an improvement but then that's an extra 1400USD that I wasn't planning to spend.

So instead I'm thinking of going a different route, and just get a sufficiently powered McIntosh system around 150watts to replace my current system (and therefore bumping my 1000 budget up to say 1800-2400USD).
I've played around with my Marantz and Luxman which both have about 60-75w and it doesn't come close to my Accuphase (and I don't expect them to for fraction of the price) so I'm just going to replace my Accuphase.

So then which McIntosh amps provide 150w? That'll be my search for the next few months. Any recommendations to amp models welcome =) I'm open to getting separates so long as budget isn't crazy blown.
 
Your main options are the MA 5100 (45 watts/channel), MA 6100 (70 watts/channel) in integrated amplifiers. The MAC 1700 receiver (45 watts/channel) or the MAC 1900 (65 watts/channel) are also options for you.
 
cnsoverload said:
Thanks all for your feedback. I had a chance to listen to a MA6100 today and love the sound, even paired it to a Audio Research CL60 power amp. The MA6100 SQ is great but it doesn't have enough power for the music I listened to / matching my Ohm speakers (I brought my speaker to audition). With the Audio Research the stage opened up a bit more, bass tightened etc., it was definitely an improvement but then that's an extra 1400USD that I wasn't planning to spend.

So instead I'm thinking of going a different route, and just get a sufficiently powered McIntosh system around 150watts to replace my current system (and therefore bumping my 1000 budget up to say 1800-2400USD).
I've played around with my Marantz and Luxman which both have about 60-75w and it doesn't come close to my Accuphase (and I don't expect them to for fraction of the price) so I'm just going to replace my Accuphase.

So then which McIntosh amps provide 150w? That'll be my search for the next few months. Any recommendations to amp models welcome =) I'm open to getting separates so long as budget isn't crazy blown.
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150 watts/channel is going to put you into the $2400 and upward price point for something like a MC 2205 power amplifier, a C28 preamplifiier, or a MX 113 tuner/preamplifier.
 
cnsoverload said:
So then which McIntosh amps provide 150w? That'll be my search for the next few months. Any recommendations to amp models welcome =) I'm open to getting separates so long as budget isn't crazy blown.
Click to expand...

Least expensive options in the 150 wpc+ range would be the meterless silver face paneled MC2150 (150 wpc) and the MC2200 (200 wpc) either of which run around the $1,000 mark, depending on cosmetics etc. Another worthy candidate is the MC2120 (120 wpc). The lower power won't make an appreciable difference between the other two, whose cost would be even less, again, depending on condition.

Keep in mind these models are rated to produce up to 3 dB of headroom for short term peaks which is double the output of the RMS (continuous rating).
 
62caddy said:
Least expensive options in the 150 wpc+ range would be the meterless silver face paneled MC2150 (150 wpc) and the MC2200 (200 wpc) either of which run around the $1,000 mark, depending on cosmetics etc. Another worthy candidate is the MC2120 (120 wpc). The lower power won't make an appreciable difference between the other two, whose cost would be even less, again, depending on condition.

Keep in mind these models are rated to produce up to 3 dB of headroom for short term peaks which is double the output of the RMS (continuous rating).
Click to expand...
Yep - MC2120 or MC2200. Patience is a virtue.
 
The MA6500 integrated provides 120/200/250 watts minimum per channel 8/4/2 ohms and might provide what you're after. It's a stellar and reliable piece that I enjoyed for over 10 years before switching to separates. Prices have slowly risen over the last 5 years or so but you might eventually find one close to your $2400 max budget if you're patient. Audio Classics currently has a few in stock.
 
jayvis said:
The MA6500 integrated provides 120/200/250 watts minimum per channel 8/4/2 ohms and might provide what you're after. It's a stellar and reliable piece that I enjoyed for over 10 years before switching to separates. Prices have slowly risen over the last 5 years or so but you might eventually find one close to your $2400 max budget if you're patient. Audio Classics currently has a few in stock.
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I guess going newer with something like the MA6500 does have its advantages, unless the vintage unit has been recapped etc.
I'll look into these MA6000 series.
 
in 2008 I paid $800 dollars for a 2205! sure it needed work, and the paintwork behind the glass was discoloured, but a trip to Terry and a new glass face, put it around $1200. I don't think you could find one in the comdition mine was originally in noow for less than $1500.
 
You could also look at the MC7100. Some people don’t like it because it doesn’t have the autoformers but it is still a nice sounding amp. Rated @100 watt/channel but more like 125 watts/channel.
 
Thanks all for helping me out. I settled for a MA6600, with a major drawback though, the weight...
Upon auditioning, the volume was around 35-50% depending on the recorded volume.
The soundstage and dynamics for opera (The Seasons by Haydn) was very impressive.
Harsh pop vocals were smooth. Comes with remote that powers and controls volume so that's an upgrade from the Accuphase which doesn't control on/off.

And yes I'll be selling the Luxman R-1070 on ebay likely pretty soon, it's been recapped so should sell nicely.
 
Congrats. I really like that model but yes, it's very heavy.

front-panel.jpg
 
Archguy said:
Congrats. I really like that model but yes, it's very heavy.
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Nice, now I'm going to ask the world what speakers they use. I auditioned the MA6600 with C7ES-3 loudspeaker - 40th Anniversary Edition (and my OHM L).

They're $5000speakers, $4000 for the non 40th Anni Edition.
Very smooth and detailed but not worth $5000 because my Ohm L
are close with slightly less detail, slightly poorer imaging and cost me $300 (and for whatever it's worth the Ohms are heavier, w/walnut veneer).
I'm looking for something around the $2000 range, used/vintage is ok to me. Guess I better start a new thread.

Harbeth_C7_40th-Anniversary-Model-2.jpg
 
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