If the MC7300 were the best amplifier I could reasonbly justify ($$), I would be very happy. It's the amplifier I should never have replaced.
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Best way to spend $4,000 on amp?
- Thread starter 34dean
- Start date
IndyDucati
Active Member
@SaturationPt , Jeff I'm thankful ,everyday, you decided to let your MC7300 go !
My story, for @34dean ... For just a little more than your $4k I acquired my perfect, entry level , Mac system. MC7300. Beautiful, powerful, metered, autoformered. Its controlled by a C712 preamp., its pretty, quiet, has convenient functions and is remote controlled.. Both were acquired from connections made here on AK.
Steve
My story, for @34dean ... For just a little more than your $4k I acquired my perfect, entry level , Mac system. MC7300. Beautiful, powerful, metered, autoformered. Its controlled by a C712 preamp., its pretty, quiet, has convenient functions and is remote controlled.. Both were acquired from connections made here on AK.
Steve
I am setting my 4100 up to get to know it a bit more with these KEF speakers. If I like what I hear, I think I’m leaning towards adding a Macintosh power amp, and then upgrading the 4100 to a Mac Pre amp down the road. The question is, what would be my best play at around a $2500 budget for a preowned Mac power amp?
I think I’ve narrowed my choices down to:
1. MC2105 to use with my 4100
or…
2. Sell my 4100 and buy a MA5300 integrated.
jayvis
Addicted Member
Either one would be a decent choice, but I'd recommend #2 for peace of mind. 50-year-old components make me nervous. Even McIntosh.
Interesting. So you do t believe the MA5300 will sound any better than my 4100?
jayvis
Addicted Member
Only your ears and your desire for different features can answer that question. The MA5300 will not sound exactly like the 4100 you're used to. Today's modern McIntosh is not like their stuff from the 70's and 80's. Find a McIntosh dealer close by that has a MA5300 that you can see and hear for yourself. If you like it, the dealer might offer a decent trade for your 4100 and you'd have a brand new McIntosh that will be worry free for as long as you want to keep it.
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damacman
Resident Psycho
It may look better ...
For those who enjoy tweaking, the single feature most likely to be missed going from the 4100 to the MA5300 would be the 4100's 5 band EQ and C-var loudness control. The other item is the MA5300's menu controls rather than being ready accessible from the front. That's a major issue for me personally.
C_dk (RIP) set up a ton of systems centered around the MAC4100. Even went so far to say the MAC kept McIntosh in business during the dark economic times of the early '80s when people were less inclined to shell out thousands on separates. He or one of the other Mc experts said Gordon Gow was particularly proud of the 4100 and regularly asked for one when conducting speaker demos at dealers. Not even the monster Japanese receivers could run 3 pair of speakers together (down to 2 ohm) but the 4100 could. TerryD once said of the MAC - "It's a MR75 + MA6200. It's perfect".
Thanks for the input, guys. I am fighting with the “signature sound“ of the McIntosh era pieces like the 4100 which I find to be a bit laid-back and more tubelike versus what I am reading to be more detailed and clear of a sound signature of the new equipment.
My KEF’s seem to be very neutral and musical, even a little bit laid-back, versus the more forward sound of Klipsch or ADS, etc. I think my liking is more of the clear and detailed sound which is why I am favoring trying a new piece like the 5300 integrated amp.
My KEF’s seem to be very neutral and musical, even a little bit laid-back, versus the more forward sound of Klipsch or ADS, etc. I think my liking is more of the clear and detailed sound which is why I am favoring trying a new piece like the 5300 integrated amp.
A new MA5300 from Crutchfield is $6,000 which is a good bit higher than your $4,000 target. However they do have a 60 day return policy in case it doesn't measure up.
Check the reviews.
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_958MA5300/McIntosh-MA5300.html
Check the reviews.
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_958MA5300/McIntosh-MA5300.html
Read a review there saying the MA5300 pairs awfully with 4 ohm speakers. Hmmm?? My KEF 104/2's are 4 ohm.
nailer
audionerd
I'd pick door # 2 and not look back.
BilboBaggins
Addicted Member
Unless you can return it, I recommend avoiding the MA5300. I tried my MC2205 with my Kef 104/2 and 105s when I was trying to decide which to keep. They sounded good with the MC2205, but they sounded great with my Bose 1801s.
Thank you for your input! I’ve been listening to my 4100 with the 104/2’s the last couple of nights and I’m really starting to like what I’m hearing!
