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Gain Levels

RT Fan

RT Fan

AK Subscriber
Subscriber
I got my MC-2105 amp and C-26 pre-amp back from Terry Dewick and hooked them up yesterday for a test run. (Full installation is first thing Saturday morning, hey :nono: they're at the weekend house.)

My question is at what level do you set your Gain on the amp? Do you run them at midpoint and boost the volume from the Pre? Max out the Gain? Or is it just a matter of personal taste and what sounds good to you? Thanks for the help. I plan on posting pix of my new/old gear since I know everyone likes audio porn.:thmbsp:
 
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RT Fan said:
I got my MC-2105 amp and C-26 pre-amp back from Terry Dewick and hooked them up yesterday for a test run. My question is at what level do you set your Gain on the amp? Do you run them at midpoint and boost the volume from the Pre? Max out the Gain? Or is it just a matter of personal taste and what sounds good to you?
Click to expand...

A valid question. First let's mention that the 2105 is a classic all right.

My 2205 amp gain controls are normally set straight up at 12:00 which is 50% of the pot travel. Checking them just now, they are set at 11:00 for some reason. I'd say it sets the usable preamp VOLUME control range, normally 12:00 to 3:00, maybe a bit higher. Sometimes I wish there were tic marks on the amplifier panel to aid in setting the gain controls. The C33 has illuminated tic marks from 7:00 around to 5:00. I just love this gear! :yes:


-Gregory
 
On the 2205 you also have a sensitivity switch on the rear. If you set it to 2.5 volts you can run the gain controls wide open.

thanks,
Ron-C
 
ron-c said:
On the 2205 you also have a sensitivity switch on the rear. If you set it to 2.5 volts you can run the gain controls wide open.

Ron-C
Click to expand...

Thanks Ron..

The photo below was taken on 11-2-08 so the INPUT switch is set to 2.5V.

McIntosh_2205_Input.jpg


Right now the amplifier GAIN controls are set at 10:30, the tuner VOLUME is
set at 2:00, and the preamp VOLUME is set at 12:00 for WETA Classical FM.

-Gregory
 
RT Fan said:
I got my MC-2105 amp and C-26 pre-amp back from Terry Dewick and hooked them up yesterday for a test run. My question is at what level do you set your Gain on the amp? Do you run them at midpoint and boost the volume from the Pre? Max out the Gain?
Click to expand...

Let's look at the GAIN pots on some of these:

MC2105.jpg


001.jpg


MC2105_Front_01.jpg



Didn't mean to hijack the discussion with another model.

-Gregory
 
gain

I have an MC2120. The manual states that you get the best signal to noise ratio with the gain all the way to the right. That is wide open. I ran like that for awhile but on another discussion found out that the volume control on the pre can have balance errors at lower volume. I balanced by running both at 12:00. Nice volume, nice balance. Oops my gain is now around 1:00.
 
Thanks for the responses, so it seems like there is no hard and fast rule regarding the Gain output. I think I will start out at 12:00 and progress from there to see what will be the optimum setting for my particular setup.
Another question, do you plug your amp directly into the Pre, switched or unswitched, directly into the wall socket, or into your surge protector? Thanks again.
 
I found less floor noise keeping my controls at 12 o'clock. I'm currently using a passive preamp with my 7270 and with the controls at 12, I still have enough gain to play at reference volume.
 
Thanks Face, I'm going to be running these into a pair of Klipsch Chorus II's, which are extremely efficient speakers. Experimentation will be the order of the day.
Since it will be raining on LI on Saturday, I won't be able to rake leaves, just sit inside and play with my new Mcintosh. That's just awful...
 
ron-c said:
On the 2205 you also have a sensitivity switch on the rear. If you set it to 2.5 volts you can run the gain controls wide open.

thanks,
Ron-C
Click to expand...

Ron, Why do you recommend this? What's the technical reason? I have a C2200 mated to a MC7270 so would you also recommend the 2.5 setting for this combo? Thanks for sharing your expertise.
 
The voltage is matched better with the vintage Macs I believe at 2.5. As far as gain, I would say run your power amp gain from 12 o'clock to 2 o'clock. I've found when running a C26 with an MC2200 that this allows me to have a tighter control over the volume range. If you have the gain at max, when you go from 3 to 5 on the Preamp, the distance from those two points is huge, but you're only allowing yourself a small turn on the knob to find your premium listening point. Lowering your gain gives you more control of sound you're trying to get to. It just adds another parameter to control. The whole reason why I buy separates in the first place.
 
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