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Help with a McIntosh MC275 Mk V Amplifier

HighFi.ED

HighFi.ED

Well-Known Member
I’m thinking of getting a McIntosh MC275 Mk V Amplifier and would be pairing it with a McIntosh MP100 Preamplifier and will be using Martin Logan Motion 60XT Floorstanding Speakers. Only thing holding me back is that I need something to be able to adjust the Volume, Bass and Treble. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
 
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Mamrak1 said:
Why don’t you sell the MP100 and buy a fully loaded McIntosh preamp.
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That’s something I’ve been thinking about but I really want to focus on getting a new McIntosh Amplifier. I do plan on upgrading to a MP1100 Preamplifier sometime next year and keeping my MP100 for my other TT.
 
HighFi.ED said:
That’s something I’ve been thinking about but I really want to focus on getting a new McIntosh Amplifier. I do plan on upgrading to a MP1100 Preamplifier sometime next year and keeping my MP100 for my other TT.
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Depending on your budget you can purchase any of the McIntosh line of amplifiers.
 
Mamrak1 said:
Depending on your budget you can purchase any of the McIntosh line of amplifiers.
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I’m currently selling some High-End Cartridges I have to buy a new McIntosh Amplifier and someone has offered to trade a couple of them for a MC275 MK V. I’m trying to get some suggestions on how I could use a MC275 MK V with my setup and be able to adjust the Volume, Bass, and Treble.
 
You need any preamplifier with tone controls. Many, many such exist and are available to you.

You will also need such a preamp for the MP1100.

If you want a more specific answer, you need to be more specific in your question - things like your approximate budget and your preferences for this required preamp.

BTW, the MP1100 supports up to 3 turntables, so unless you want to play two turntables at the same time or in two different systems, you will not need to keep your MP100 once you get a MP1100.
 
TSmith8605 said:
You need any preamplifier with tone controls. Many, many such exist and are available to you.

You will also need such a preamp for the MP1100.

If you want a more specific answer, you need to be more specific in your question - things like your approximate budget and your preferences for this required preamp.

BTW, the MP1100 supports up to 3 turntables, so unless you want to play two turntables at the same time or in two different systems, you will not need to keep your MP100 once you get a MP1100.
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You’re right, I should have been more specific. What I was trying to say was I’ve been offered a MC275 MK V and I would like to use it with my MP100 Preamplifier and not have to buy a different Preamplifier. I have a budget of about $1000 to find something that I can add to this setup. I was thinking the MQ101 but it doesn’t have Volume Control. Is there any other options similar to the MQ101 with Volume, Bass, and Treble controls?
 
HighFi.ED said:
You’re right, I should have been more specific. What I was trying to say was I’ve been offered a MC275 MK V and I would like to use it with my MP100 Preamplifier and not have to buy a different Preamplifier. I have a budget of about $1000 to find something that I can add to this setup. I was thinking the MQ101 but it doesn’t have Volume Control. Is there any other options similar to the MQ101 with Volume, Bass, and Treble controls?
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You're going about this all wrong. The MP100 was not intended to be a system preamp. Rather, it's an accessory designed to be added to a system preamp to enhance phono playback and cartridge selection and matching. The MQ101 is an EQ designed to be used in conjunction with early McIntosh speaker offerings - its contour is the inverse of the speakers' natural roll-off.

You need a unit whose part # begins with C.
 
damacman said:
You're going about this all wrong. The MP100 was not intended to be a system preamp. Rather, it's an accessory designed to be added to a system preamp to enhance phono playback and cartridge selection and matching. The MQ101 is an EQ designed to be used in conjunction with early McIntosh speaker offerings - its contour is the inverse of the speakers' natural roll-off.

You need a unit whose part # begins with C.
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What do you mean by “system preamp”? Sorry I’m still learning. I haven’t had any issues using my MP100 on its own and actually it was a huge upgrade from my last. Now I’m looking to upgrade my Amplifier. Thanks for all your input and information very helpful.
 
damacman is right, you need a "system preamp". He's just saying that what you need to get is a stereo preamplifier. You could still use the MP100 with your turntable by connecting the turntable to the MP100 and then connecting the MP100 to any non-phono input on the preamp. However, many preamps have a phono input so you may not need the MP100. I did a similar upgrade that you are doing in that I purchased an MC275VI before I had a preamp. I then found a McIntosh C15 preamp (which has bass and treble control) at a very reasonable price and used that until I could afford to upgrade to the C22 III that I have now.
 
stahle said:
damacman is right, you need a "system preamp". He's just saying that what you need to get is a stereo preamplifier. You could still use the MP100 with your turntable by connecting the turntable to the MP100 and then connecting the MP100 to any non-phono input on the preamp. However, many preamps have a phono input so you may not need the MP100. I did a similar upgrade that you are doing in that I purchased an MC275VI before I had a preamp. I then found a McIntosh C15 preamp (which has bass and treble control) at a very reasonable price and used that until I could afford to upgrade to the C22 III that I have now.
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I like the MP100 because I’m able to use both MM and MC Cartridges. Also it has been doing a fantastic job without being plug into a stereo preamplifier and directly to my amplifier. My current amplifier has a built in MM Phono Preamp that isn’t that good. What would it give me to plug in my MP100 to a stereo preamplifier? I’m only using a turntable for this setup.
 
HighFi.ED said:
I like the MP100 because I’m able to use both MM and MC Cartridges. Also it has been doing a fantastic job without being plug into a stereo preamplifier and directly to my amplifier. My current amplifier has a built in MM Phono Preamp that isn’t that good. What would it give me to plug in my MP100 to a stereo preamplifier? I’m only using a turntable for this setup.
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I believe you answered this yourself in your first post: volume; bass; and treble control. From what I understand, the MP100 does not have a variable output so at a minimum you'll need volume control which a preamp will provide. Also, based upon your post that says "my current amplifier has a built in MM Phono Preamp that isn’t that good", it appears that you are currently using either a receiver or an integrated amp and not a stand alone amplifier like the MC275V.
 
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If you've got a $1,000 budget, contact Audio Classics and discuss your issues with them. They're totally reliable, have a great reputation that goes back decades, are McIntosh experts (located, like, ten minutes from the McIntosh factory), and can help you find a solution that works within your budget. www.audioclassics.com

McIntosh C27 or C28 preamps come to mind.
 
I appreciate all the feedback and help but I didn’t end up going with the MC275. I’m going to stick with a MA5300 instead. It has everything I need.
 
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