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Complete system questions for turntable (advice)

D

Duner

New Member
I have a Technics SL-D5 feeding a Mac MX 112 pre amp feeding an Audio Control EQ which feeds a Mac MC 2505 amp, which powers a pair of Mac XR5's. I also have a Definitive 18" powered sub. I am asking for help on any weak links in this system. It will be for vinyl use only. I hooked up one Paradigm Studio 100 in place of the Mac and felt it was a little crisper, but also have not put the XR5's on stands yet. The equipment was a gift from my wife and I feel is a great starting point, but am open to suggestions and advice. Thanks for your time and thoughts
 
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Honestly, have you ever auditioned an amplifier designed later than 1967? I think you'll find vast improvements in sound quality have been realized across the past half century.

My preamp has more energy storage than the 2505.
 
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Well if people thought it sounded good 40 years ago, they probably still thinks it sounds good. It's not like everyone needs a systems that is in the top 2% percent of the world today

Sure it would be nice but some people have a budget to hold to. .
 
E-Stat said:
Honestly, have you ever auditioned an amplifier designed later than 1967? I think you'll find vast improvements in sound quality have been realized across the past half century.

My preamp has more energy storage than the 2505.
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Lol.
My preamp is nearly 60 years old, and I can afford anything.
 
Duner said:
I have a Technics SL-D5 feeding a Mac MX 112 pre amp feeding an Audio Control EQ which feeds a Mac MC 2505 amp, which powers a pair of Mac XR5's. I also have a Definitive 18" powered sub. I am asking for help on any weak links in this system. It will be for vinyl use only. I hooked up one Paradigm Studio 100 in place of the Mac and felt it was a little crisper, but also have not put the XR5's on stands yet. The equipment was a gift from my wife and I feel is a great starting point, but am open to suggestions and advice. Thanks for your time and thoughts
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Better to give you a process to form an opinion than an opinion. The only opinion that ultimately matters is yours.

First things first. Set it up and listen to it. Then ask yourself, what would you like more or less of, and what would you like to change.

Unless you are in love with them, or they are truly something special like vintage Tannoy horns, start with the speakers. Besides their huge impact on system tone and timbre, they set the bar for the electronics down the chain. If you take a liking to horns, you will not be looking at Krell monoblocks. Conversely, if you find yourself spellbound before giant Thiels, then you will likely not be working with single-ended triode amps.

Your speakers will often dictate your amplification choices. That’s the key electrical marriage. And your amplification choice usually leads your thinking on a pre-amp. Whether to include a phono stage in your preamp decision is up to you.

If you want expanded deck, arm, cable and cartridge options, then opt for an MC capable phono stage. But many terrific sounding older phono stages are MM only.

Once you know what deck you can have, then you weigh your front end options.

Each decision along the way will inform the others. It’s all about balancing the strengths and weaknesses of each link against the others. And only you will know, based on the music you like and what you value most in it. Tone? Resolution? Thunderous bass? Sweet delicate highs? You are there midrange presence? A deep, wide soundstage? I value tone and midrange more than anything else. But you may see music differently. Every piece has its strengths and weaknesses. One lifts the others, and vice versa, to reach your sweet spot.

Good luck, take your time, and most of all, have fun doing it!
 
sgmlaw said:
Better to give you a process to form an opinion than an opinion. The only opinion that ultimately matters is yours.

First things first. Set it up and listen to it. Then ask yourself, what would you like more or less of, and what would you like to change.

Unless you are in love with them, or they are truly something special like vintage Tannoy horns, start with the speakers. Besides their huge impact on system tone and timbre, they set the bar for the electronics down the chain. If you take a liking to horns, you will not be looking at Krell monoblocks. Conversely, if you find yourself spellbound before giant Thiels, then you will likely not be working with single-ended triode amps.

Your speakers will often dictate your amplification choices. That’s the key electrical marriage. And your amplification choice usually leads your thinking on a pre-amp. Whether to include a phono stage in your preamp decision is up to you.

If you want expanded deck, arm, cable and cartridge options, then opt for an MC capable phono stage. But many terrific sounding older phono stages are MM only.

Once you know what deck you can have, then you weigh your front end options.

Each decision along the way will inform the others. It’s all about balancing the strengths and weaknesses of each link against the others. And only you will know, based on the music you like and what you value most in it. Tone? Resolution? Thunderous bass? Sweet delicate highs? You are there midrange presence? A deep, wide soundstage? I value tone and midrange more than anything else. But you may see music differently. Every piece has its strengths and weaknesses. One lifts the others, and vice versa, to reach your sweet spot.

Good luck, take your time, and most of all, have fun doing it!
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A perfect post. (BTW, I value clarity and detail more than anything else.)
 
Strange coincidences. I have that exact Marantz receiver, and those same Klipsches. Both are 70s classics. But in two entirely separate, and very different systems. Both systems play terrific for what they are asked to do.
 
Ken Boyd said:
Well if people thought it sounded good 40 years ago, they probably still thinks it sounds good. It's not like everyone needs a systems that is in the top 2% percent of the world today
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Just depends whether or not you want to hear more of your music. The poster asked for weak links in his system. I illustrated one.
 
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sgmlaw said:
My preamp is nearly 60 years old, and I can afford anything.
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Tube units from that era can be pretty decent if you're not interested in what's available today.

First gen SS units like the 2505, however, are insipid to these ears. Transparency, depth and focus are MIA. Far better exists today.
 
Your speakers are designed for 200 watt per channel amps. So I would be looking for a MC 2155, 7150, 7200 etc. Remember Mac amps put out about 30% more power than rated and Power Guard only protects from clipping so do not buy a 2255 or. 7270 or 7300 they are just to much amp. You should also find a MQ 104 or 107 to get the best performance from your speakers. Then you wouldn't need the sub. Then if you still want a tuner pre-amp, look for the MX 117. Its a great sounding unit. I preferred XR-7's to 5's as I always wanted a little more firmness on the bottom and the extra dynamic range for peaks. Audio Classics has the XR-7's, MX 117 are kind of rare . They also have the speaker EQ's. Call and ask for Steve he will walk you thru the many choices. Remember one thing about Mac speakers from that period. The woofers are critically damped so you don't need or want amps that are super fast with high damping factors. It will make the bass even drier and more austere. Your super tweeters are a non resonant type so they are easy on the ears and don't cause hearing fatigue especially if you are fortunate to have retained your HF sensitivity with your ears. If you will look at this web site you will find articles on why you need a EQ to go with your speakers. Other wise go tp Roger Russells web site about the development of the Mac speakers you have.
 
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