OK, so I am back from Texas with the MX151, I took it upon myself to pick the unit up, as this would keep it out of the hands of the shippers. It's as perfect as a used piece can be, one of the last built, no issues with the previous owner (who I trust sufficiently to truly believe that) and a very fair price (there was no negotiation). The combo served to make this the choice, albeit the various caveats/risks associated with these units generally. But if there ever was an example of this piece to roll the dice on, it's this one.
The pre-pro selection wasn't easy, and none I chose would be without issue, albeit solvable. But Mac is the safe sonic choice, having been the road of others that seemed to miss the mark sonically. So while I might be gambling a bit with the mechanics, I shouldn't be gambling with the sonics.
So now we are back at amplifiers. The base decision is as follows: MC205 (and maybe 255, depending what I can actually obtain/get into my hands) or rebuilding a pair of 2100/05s with the existing MC250s I have here in the stable (I'd end up with a spare one, which is a great problem/asset to have). I took a hard run at a pair of MC2100 and got the proverbial bid door slammed into my face, I also sourced two MC205 NOS as well as another close to it and had every one of those slip through my fingers.
It is actually an easier decision to do the 205/255 way, as if I didn't like the "school" of the general presentation I could sell that off (it's a Mac amp, after all). OTOH, I am also looking into having the 250/2100/2105 era amps rebuilt (needing to acquire two at 100WPC, either 2100 or 2105 and having those two rebuilt along with my 250 pair). That's a longer road, but in some sense more predictable, as my sonic tests done with the one properly (albeit aging) 250 bears out a sonic match generally that's hard to ignore, but more importantly the way the amp performs at low volume, sustaining the "bottom" without "petering out" is a most desirable trait. While there is some "clutter" in the edge and inner details, much of that is from the aging parts, which will clear up with thorough rebuild (already sourced/know where I'm taking it to in that case).
Once the amp decision is made, the parts/components (aside form a basic Windows comp) will be in place. It still seems a swappable decision, primarily in the acquisition specifics as well as conflicting "windows" of experience. If I had only heard a 205 on a kit like this, or even a Klipsch Heritage generally, that would likely seal the issue. Much of this involves "what can I actually get into my hands", too, which has been a bit of an issue of late.
So the MC2100/2105/205/255 is loaded into every saved search I can find, and am on the hunt for potential suitors/examples, albeit with "forked deciders" - the aforementioned indecision at play. But we are making progress.......
But I have picked up on some stuff too, and I think this will have better success this time around. Famous last words.
