McIntosh AE-2 Preamplifier & MC-30 Monoblock

[angelaudio]

Hello fellow AK’ers I hope you all find yourselves well.

Today I scored some vintage McIntosh tube gear (my first ever tube setup) and I need everyone’s McIntosh wisdom and knowledge to guide me through proper setup to attain proper audio bliss

First off, the gentleman who sold me these two fine pieces stated that the AE-2 pre is more of a display piece for McIntosh collectors which sort of bummed me out because I was hoping that I could use it with the MC-30. I know that most people use two mono blocks to power two speakers but since I only have one for the time being I’ve been reading into doing a mono setup which has got me scratching my head

So my first question is: can and should I use the AE-2 as a preamp for my MC-30?
If so, would I be able to connect my Pioneer PL-61 up to the mono pre since it is a stereo turntable with stereo cartridge (Sumiko Olympia)?
If I can’t use the AE-2 pre I was thinking of using a SS Marantz 3250B pre hooked up to the MC30 but would this work and how should I go about it? I did a little research and found that I might need to ‘sum down’ which is when I started to scratch my head because the post I read on that was introducing some new components that I am totally unfamiliar with.

If anyone can point me in the right direction I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks in advance. I’ve attached pictures for reference.
-angelaudio

 

[SaturationPt]

Cool piece. Get a second one, pairs are much harder to find than singles, make yours a pair.

I can't help you on your AE-2 but you should be able to select MONO on any preamp and use a single channel out to the MC30.

 

[c_dk]

The Akdatabase has user manuals for the AE2 as well as Mac's next two phono preamp/ EQs, the C4 and C8

I think you will see if you study these 3 units that the AE2 is not really setup to correctly play the 1955 and later EQ curves that were applied to recordings as well as it does not have the correct loading for " modern" phono cartridges unless modified.

When Mac introduced the C8 it simplified the playing of all these different records.

Hence the AE2 as more of a museum piece than a daily player.

 

[angelaudio]

The Akdatabase has user manuals for the AE2 as well as Mac's next two phono preamp/ EQs, the C4 and C8

I think you will see if you study these 3 units that the AE2 is not really setup to correctly play the 1955 and later EQ curves that were applied to recordings as well as it does not have the correct loading for " modern" phono cartridges unless modified.

When Mac introduced the C8 it simplified the playing of all these different records.

Hence the AE2 as more of a museum piece than a daily player.

Ah I see. I definitely want to get the most out of my MC30’s so I’ll definitely look into the C8. I’m new to tube gear so I’m learning as I go. Hopefully this setup doesn’t end up burning a hole in my pocket

 

[angelaudio]

Cool piece. Get a second one, pairs are much harder to find than singles, make yours a pair.

I can't help you on your AE-2 but you should be able to select MONO on any preamp and use a single channel out to the MC30.

Thanks I’ll give it a shot. And I am definitely leaning towards getting the pair. I think I’ll subscribe and give BT a look through.

 

[SaturationPt]

Ah I see. I definitely want to get the most out of my MC30’s so I’ll definitely look into the C8. I’m new to tube gear so I’m learning as I go. Hopefully this setup doesn’t end up burning a hole in my pocket

Thanks I’ll give it a shot. And I am definitely leaning towards getting the pair. I think I’ll subscribe and give BT a look through.

Good plan to join & watch BT, but it will not fulfill your desire to not burn a hole in your pocket, ... we're enablers.

 

[angelaudio]

Good plan to join & watch BT, but it will not fulfill your desire to not burn a hole in your pocket, ... we're enablers.

Just one more MC30 and some good preamps I swear!

 

[c_dk]

You certainly can use what you have as a mono system once they have been checked over for proper operation by a tech. Your true to vintage sources will certainly be limited now 70 years later.

It just needed to be pointed out that the preamp was designed to be used with 1950s vintage phono cartridges including playing old 78s, not modern LPs mono or stereo.

A second MC30 with any number of preamps, new or vintage, with two efficient speakers will allow you to play modern sources with no problem.

 

[angelaudio]

You certainly can use what you have as a mono system once they have been checked over for proper operation by a tech. Your true to vintage sources will certainly be limited now 70 years later.

It just needed to be pointed out that the preamp was designed to be used with 1950s vintage phono cartridges including playing old 78s, not modern LPs mono or stereo.

A second MC30 with any number of preamps, new or vintage, with two efficient speakers will allow you to play modern sources with no problem.

Ah I see. I mainly collect 33 rpm LP’s so I’ll just keep looking for another MC30 in that case. I can’t afford to go down the 78 rabbit hole

 

[angelaudio]

The Akdatabase has user manuals for the AE2 as well as Mac's next two phono preamp/ EQs, the C4 and C8

I think you will see if you study these 3 units that the AE2 is not really setup to correctly play the 1955 and later EQ curves that were applied to recordings as well as it does not have the correct loading for " modern" phono cartridges unless modified.

When Mac introduced the C8 it simplified the playing of all these different records.

Hence the AE2 as more of a museum piece than a daily player.

So I finally got the pre playing along with my MC30 and I played some vinyl and I gotta say it sounds really good. I’m using a modern cartridge, Sumiko Olympia, and threw on a few old jazz 33’s and I did not notice anything lacking, I actually thought the combo sounded very good, outstanding even. So I just wanted ro come back here and ask what you were referring to when you made this comment as I can’t hear any discernible shortcomings from the AE2 when playing old mono records. Are some frequencies not reproduced as well post-‘55?

 

[damacman]

So I finally got the pre playing along with my MC30 and I played some vinyl and I gotta say it sounds really good. I’m using a modern cartridge, Sumiko Olympia, and threw on a few old jazz 33’s and I did not notice anything lacking, I actually thought the combo sounded very good, outstanding even. So I just wanted ro come back here and ask what you were referring to when you made this comment as I can’t hear any discernible shortcomings from the AE2 when playing old mono records. Are some frequencies not reproduced as well post-‘55?

Unfortunately, Chris passed away recently. i still can't believe it ...

Maybe @dcgillespie can answer this for you.

 

[SaturationPt]

Probably has something to do with the equalization that was (industry standard) developed for turntables.

 

[angelaudio]

Unfortunately, Chris passed away recently. i still can't believe it ...

Maybe @dcgillespie can answer this for you.

may he Rest In Peace