• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Amp and Preamp Separates (Mix or Match??)

Does a matching preamplifier get the most out of a power amplifier?

  • Total voters
    25
The matching pre to my Onkyo Integra amp was quite nice. Versatile, nice phono stage & sounded fine.
But I like the APT Holman better.

It was a matter of preference, not quality or capability.

I had a Carver set at one time & they sounded very nice together.
I changed out the pre a couple times but always went back to the matched set on that pair.
 
My favorite pairing at the moment is my McIntosh MX 113 preamp and PS Audio 200cx power amp. It sounds great - love the phono stage! I am also using a Sansui AU 555A integrated amp as a pre, with a PS Audio Model Two C power amp. It also sounds really nice. I might eventually pair the 200cx with a tube preamp, but that’s down the road. Both combinations are years apart as far as manufacture is concerned, but they’re quite happy together.
 
twiiii said:
Mcintosh Power amps have always required professional line levels, + 8 db or higher to reach full power. Anywhere from 2.5 to 3.5 volts. Back in the old days of tubes most amps were anywhere from .7 volts to 1.4 volts so I always used Mac Preamps with Mac Power amps. Today the rule still applies as the Mac amps Power Guard allows 14 db of over drive to preventing clipping. But if your preamp starts clipping at 7 or 8 volts like most do these days and in the past when driving a Mac Power amps the distortion of the pre-amp can reach your speakers. The tweeter is usually the first go if you have older speakers with out added built in protection. So be it Scott, Fisher, Citation, Marantz, Crown or Hafler I have always used Mcintosh Pre-amps. Returning to Mcintosh direct coupled 7200's and 7100 back in the late 80's or early 90's with Power Guard. I always used the 2.5 volt settings to get the best signal to noise. I love graphic tone controls, Loudness Controls, full mode selector, record and listen selectors and processor loops. So I'll stick with my C-34. It meets todays specs. So why be limited by the non flexibility of the new Pre-amps. The stereo amps are new, MC 830's. One HT MC 207 was purchased in 08 and the second added just after the new replacement was announced two years ago. So the amps ought to out last me easily. After all my MC 2505 is 53 years old and is still going strong driving remote speakers. I like the flexibility of my MX 151 so I don't see any changes there either. But I might when my Pioneer Plasma quits and I go either 8K or 4 K, but as I do not play video or computer games I don't see the need for 8K displays. Just another come on to get your money. I am not into modern tube stuff either. Been there and done that when I had no choice. I continually audition equipment and will almost always buy from brick and mortar stores or serious individuals.
Click to expand...
Hi, thanks for the detailed response. Do you think I'd run into mismatching problems trying the Luxman CL38uC preamp with a vintage McIntosh MC-225? I run a modern C-22 preamp now but have always been interested in the Luxman. I have an essence MC clearaudio and vintage Klipschorns. everything minty.
 
michael31 said:
Hi, thanks for the detailed response. Do you think I'd run into mismatching problems trying the Luxman CL38uC preamp with a vintage McIntosh MC-225? I run a modern C-22 preamp now but have always been interested in the Luxman. I have an essence MC clearaudio and vintage Klipschorns. everything minty.
Click to expand...
He’s pretty much saying only macintosh is good enough to preamplify a macintosh
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom