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C40 Monitor Amp Question

btol

btol

Well-Known Member
I've been using my Fortes with my C40 as an integrated. Really happy with it. The Fortes are 8 ohm, 98db efficient.

I just picked up some ADS L730's and am also thinking of running them with the C40 in the same fashion.

Am I asking for trouble using the them with the C40 monitor amp? They're a little less efficient at 92db and are rated at 6 ohms.

Thanks in advance for the input!
 
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In theory, the C40's 20 wpc monitor amplifier with those speakers should provide headroom up to 112 dB (which is 115 dB for a pair) at one meter. Deducting 6 dB for typical listening distances puts it a couple dB short of 110 dB which should still be sufficient enough to resolve most or all musical peaks depending on loudness typically preferred.

The monitor amplifier has PG circuitry which will prevent clipping in the event maximum output is exceeded therefore there is little to worry about concerning speaker damage.

By all means try it.
 
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62caddy said:
In theory, the C40's 20 wpc monitor amplifier should provide headroom up to 112 dB (which is 115 dB for a pair) at one meter. Deducting 6 dB for typical listening distances still puts it a couple dB short of 110 dB which should still be sufficient enough to resolve most or all musical peaks depending on loudness typically preferred.

The monitor amplifier has PG circuitry which will prevent clipping in the event maximum output is exceeded therefore there is little to worry about concerning speaker damage.

By all means try it.
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Thanks caddy! I will do so and am looking forward to it. Just waiting to make the hand-off as far the 730s are concerned.
 
62caddy said:
Nice preamplifier BTW. C40 the last of the "full-featured" McIntosh preamps.
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Thank you. My first Mac piece. It's getting relamped right now and I am missing it sorely.

At the same time, I've been finding myself researching C7150/C7200/C7300's. Thinking about possibly selling the C40 to pick up one of the units being offered at Audio Classics and then saving up for one of the bare bones pres like C15 or C712 for later down the road.

Round and round I go lol :crazy:
 
btol said:
Thank you. My first Mac piece. It's getting relamped right now and I am missing it sorely.

At the same time, I've been finding myself researching C7150/C7200/C7300's. Thinking about possibly selling the C40 to pick up one of the units being offered at Audio Classics and then saving up for one of the bare bones pres like C15 or C712 for later down the road.

Round and round I go lol :crazy:
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The C40 is just about the last McIntosh I would part with. They're rare, offer uncompromising flexibility with the latest technological development in a Mc preamp of its type, and can serve as an "integrated" should a power amplifier go on the fritz. Any other would be a step backward in my book - all things considered. Your decision of course.
 
62caddy said:
The C40 is just about the last McIntosh I would part with. They're rare, offer uncompromising flexibility with the latest technological development in a Mc preamp of its type, and can serve as an "integrated" should a power amplifier go on the fritz. Any other would be a step backward in my book - all things considered. Your decision of course.
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Thank you for that input. Excitement gets the best of me sometimes and I need to be talked down from potentially regrettable decisions. I will certainly give it more thought. Maybe I should just pinch my pennies for the amp and hang on to the C40.
 
62caddy said:
The C40 is just about the last McIntosh I would part with. They're rare, offer uncompromising flexibility with the latest technological development in a Mc preamp of its type, and can serve as an "integrated" should a power amplifier go on the fritz. Any other would be a step backward in my book - all things considered. Your decision of course.
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This ^^^^^

The C40 is pretty uncommon to come across. If you do let go of it....be prepared for a long wait if you want another one. Personally, there's no way I'd let go of a C40 and I've owned both the C15 and C712 and think highly of them.
 
techguy0192 said:
This ^^^^^

The C40 is pretty uncommon to come across. If you do let go of it....be prepared for a long wait if you want another one. Personally, there's no way I'd let go of a C40 and I've owned both the C15 and C712 and think highly of them.
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Thank you for saving me from myself. lol
 
If I had the space I would have a C-40 instead of a C-34. The amps are very close to being the same and I use my pair to drive he'd phones with.
 
twiiii said:
If I had the space I would have a C-40 instead of a C-34. The amps are very close to being the same and I use my pair to drive he'd phones with.
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I actually haven't tried the C40 head out yet. Excited to get around to that at some point.

I am quite surprised how superb that monitor amp sounds w/ my Fortes, though.
 
btol said:
How do you like that C40/MC162 combo? There's one local to me that I've been drooling over.
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@btol I think the combo is just about perfect for me. I used my C40 for about a year as a stand-alone until opportunity presented a MC162. Both fill my listening space with beautiful music. Get as loud as I need them to, and look really nice together.

Reach back if you get that MC162 and let me know what you think - Oh, and don't ditch that C40 - they are really special.
 
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