Best way to spend $4,000 on amp?
- Thread starter 34dean
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Well, as you probably know, an integrated amp will provide you with a power amp and preamp combined. A preamp won’t include a power amp. One way or another, you’ll need a preamp and a power amp for a turntable, if not, also, a separate phono preamp. So I’m unclear what the $4000 budgeted must cover. If you establish these perimeters—as well as whether you are looking for tube, SS, either, or a hybrid, perhaps someone more familiar with your equipment can respond with some suggestions. Good luck!
Sgt Shultz
Addicted Member
Preamp/power amp over integrated at that price point, pick your brand poison.
BilboBaggins
Addicted Member
Interested in what you end up with and how you like it. I would also go for a Power Amp/PreAmp separates.
I am looking for just Macintosh. I have a 4100 receiver already, but I am unsure how good the phono section is? I am OK with an integrated, or if I can afford separates, I’m good with that as well. Looking for best bang for my buck and matching with my speakers and turntable. Prefer solid stay over tube.
Sgt Shultz
Addicted Member
Ok, I see this is the Mac forum, raise your budget
I once had the below driving my Infinitys, outstanding SQ.
MR78 Tuner
C28 Preamp
MC2002 Amp
I once had the below driving my Infinitys, outstanding SQ.
MR78 Tuner
C28 Preamp
MC2002 Amp
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McIntosh is selling for good money these days. Just finished a full resto on my mint C28 and MC2105 combo. I kind of went all out on these, but well worth the price of admission, holy smokes…
Dan
Dan
(Didn’t remember this was a Mac thread…) How about a McIntosh integrated? Audio Classics has a bunch available in your price range. Plenty with decent phono. New ones with both adjustable loads for MM and MC. (Love my C22 MKIII.) As far as I know, the 4100 has a respectable phonostage. But I’ve never heard it. Call AC up and see what they suggest.
grillebilly
Empty Head
The safest way to get your toes wet with Mac gear is buy a gently used that's relatively recent. Chances of having problems are lower, newer units are more desirable unless you're talking collector tube monoblocks, and the original buyer took the hit selling.
I've heard good reviews on sound quality of the MA352, SS power using tubes for the pre. I doubt it will go down in value if you ever decide to sell if you can get a decent deal on a used one. The upgrade bug is always a thing with Mac gear, it seems. Customers tend to be well-heeled and end up with the upper end of the product line eventually.
As others mentioned, the stuff has gone way up in the last few years, but before that it was still increasing in value yearly.
I've heard good reviews on sound quality of the MA352, SS power using tubes for the pre. I doubt it will go down in value if you ever decide to sell if you can get a decent deal on a used one. The upgrade bug is always a thing with Mac gear, it seems. Customers tend to be well-heeled and end up with the upper end of the product line eventually.
As others mentioned, the stuff has gone way up in the last few years, but before that it was still increasing in value yearly.
I sent Steve an email.
Has MM phono. If power and inputs are adequate, go for it. B1 condition will be like new, and considerably less than MSRP of $4.5K.
Best bang for the buck is what you have already.
jayvis
Addicted Member
As you probably know, the KEF 104.2 speakers were designed to have a virtually constant impedance of 4 ohms across the full audio range. If you're looking at any McIntosh amp, you're looking at the right stuff to get the most from those speakers. I'm partial to the modern offerings from McIntosh over their vintage stuff and think the MA252 is a relative bargain for anyone looking for a long-term investment in a quality all-analog hybrid integrated amplifier. No, it doesn't have the huge abundance of power or audible sweetness of autoformers in the amp sections found in the integrateds farther up the McIntosh line, but it will definitely provide more than what you've been used to with your current system. If you have the opportunity to audition one at a dealer, do it. You won't regret it.
So is there an issue with the performance of the MAC4100 that's bothering you? Is the the MAC4100 in good condition and running to factory spec?
The MAC4100 does have pre-out and power amp-in connectors so you have more flexibility. For example, if your issues is insufficient power for your speakers, you could get a bigger power amp and use the MAC4100 as a preamp / tuner.
If you're concerned about the phono section, you might try a home audition of an external phono preamp like the MP100 into the MAC4100 to compare with the MAC's phono section. Music Direct, for example, has a 60-day satisfaction or return-for-refund policy (if you can get the item).
But, depending on what turntable / cartridge you have, upgrading your TT might make a much larger improvement in sound than the difference between different Mc phono sections.
The phono specs of the two are very comparable; I seriously doubt there will be any notable improvements to be had there.
The MAC is rated 75 wpc into 8 ohm; 100 wpc into 4 ohm. The MC252 is 100/160 wpc into 8/4 ohm so around an extra 2 dB worth of dynamic range which again isn't significant. (4 ohm speakers). The MAC is capable of operating into loads down to 2.1 ohm so a single pair of 4 ohm speakers is no difficulty.
The MAC is rated 75 wpc into 8 ohm; 100 wpc into 4 ohm. The MC252 is 100/160 wpc into 8/4 ohm so around an extra 2 dB worth of dynamic range which again isn't significant. (4 ohm speakers). The MAC is capable of operating into loads down to 2.1 ohm so a single pair of 4 ohm speakers is no difficulty.
Always true!
@62caddy, But! I (and many, many others) don’t want that to be the answer. Scratching my head. Trying to make sense. It just doesn’t compute. Please try again.
Why don't you want that to be the answer? If my logic is flawed in reply #17 above, please tell me where I've gone wrong.
