• 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

Best preamp with an MC240?

Seems a natural combination of MX110 & MC240 given their price point and hierarchy in the Mc lineup - which many buyers probably felt more than adequate for their needs. Those insisting on the ultimate probably went with a combo of MR71, C22 and MC275.

Every so often when complete vintage Mc systems come up for sale that are still in the hands of the descendants of the original owners, I've noticed the MX110 seems to have been most commonly purchased with the MC240 while systems with the C22, the complimentary amplifier tends to be an MC275 as a general rule. Occasionally a C22 was paired with an MC240 but seldom, and never with an MC225 that I have seen. Come to think of it I don't think I've seen an MX110 with an MC275 either but I'm sure it happened.

Evidently the MX110 must have been a popular front-end unit since McIntosh kept it in production so long.
 
Last edited:
Caddy - the one and only original MC275 I owned came from a gentleman who bought it with an MX110. But, yeah - very uncommon pairing.
 
The 240 vs 275 is really as much about the voice of the 6L6GC/7027A vs KT88 as it is power, I chose the 6L6 for my tastes. In the same way, I'm looking for a proper match, and the 240 seems to be able to handle a brighter preamp without making its sound too bright. Currently the C28 sounds very good to me, ... but I'd like tubes just to be period. The only one I currently have is a PAS 3, which seems to be designed for the bottom-heavy ST-70 / EL34 as mine is very bright for a tube preamp, and doesn't appear to be a good match.

I think I know where I can audition a 110.
 
  • Like
Reactions: swd
I've never been much of a subscriber to the who "voicing" theory - at least not where McIntosh is concerned, and less so regarding output tubes even if I did. I think the (small) signal tubes carry more weight in that department but even that I couldn't swear to.

As always, YMMV.
 
I vote the C20 and MX110 having used both with an MC240. The MX110 was original to the MC240 (bought at same time by original owner). Of course I've since parted with all of them for my current MC275/MX120 setup.
 
What do you think about the 120 with the 275. I have expressed my thoughts else where when I bought my 151.
 
After years of using a Musical Design SP-2B hybrid preamp, I splurged for a Bryston BP-26 as the front-end for my MC240 on one set of speakers, and MC275/MC2105 (biamp) on another set. I'm delighted with the vast improvement in every way.
 
pgena said:
After years of using a Musical Design SP-2B hybrid preamp, I splurged for a Bryston BP-26 as the front-end for my MC240 on one set of speakers, and MC275/MC2105 (biamp) on another set. I'm delighted with the vast improvement in every way.
Click to expand...

What is the rest of the setup on your biamp system?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom