Mcintosh and Altec M-19's

[doclamb]

I have a pair of Altec Model 19's that I've referbished, including new crossovers and GPA drivers. I'd like to pair them with Mcintosh equipment.
I'm looking at the MA2275 integrated or MC352 + C220 SS/tube combo. Room size 20' x 30'. Listen to vinyl and CD, mostly older rock, reggae and jazz.
Prefer Mac's there newer equipment. Most people including my local Mcintosh dealer recommend tubes (MC275 + C220) with the M-19's . I've enjoyed them with a 10-watt pentode amp for the past year, but am curiuos as to how the SS/tube combo would perform with these. All thoughts/opinion's appreciated.
Regards, Rob

 

[Number 9]

I can't imagine going wrong with any of these combinations. :yes:

The SS amp would give you tighter bass - maybe. Though, check out some of the reviews and comments here regarding the current generation MC275 IV/V.

The Altec's are effecient, but really get dynamic with more power.

 

[dshoaf]

How big is the room you're using and do you occasionally crank up that old rock and reggae? This will help set the relative levels of power you'll need.

After that is determined, then you can move on the tube/SS question.

I've just finished reworking a vintage setup for a local guy with Altec Model 19s. He's using a Mac C28/MA2105 setup and they're filling his living room/dining room combo well with no more than 20-25 watts, according to the meters with them - and he's an old rock guy, too. (well, he might take issue with the old part but I point out that he's older than his equipment)

As for new gear, then, most anything in the lineup these days should work quite well but you room size does present a variable you need to think about.

Cheers,

David

 

[Mike Gibson]

I don't have model 19's but 846A Valencias instead. I use a Rane active crossover. I use a MC-2505 for the woofers and a MC-275 for the horns. This works really well for me. I think you could use whatever you wanted and it would sound great. The older Altecs were voiced for tubes they say. The 19's came out quite a while after SS was introduced. So I'd be interested to know how they were voiced. Or if by then it mattered. Someday I'd like to try a tube preamp but that's down the road a ways yet.

Mike

 

[radioactive]

I have a pair of Altec Model 19's that I've referbished, including new crossovers and GPA drivers. I'd like to pair them with Mcintosh equipment.
I'm looking at the MA2275 integrated or MC352 + C220 SS/tube combo. Room size 20' x 30'. Listen to vinyl and CD, mostly older rock, reggae and jazz.
Prefer Mac's there newer equipment. Most people including my local Mcintosh dealer recommend tubes (MC275 + C220) with the M-19's . I've enjoyed them with a 10-watt pentode amp for the past year, but am curiuos as to how the SS/tube combo would perform with these. All thoughts/opinion's appreciated.
Regards, Rob

i cant see you going wrong with the ma2275 and the 19's.i myself have a pair of 19's and run them with some 50w fairchild monoblocs and the sound is just icredible .alhough i cant say what they'd spund like with the ma 2275 i have a friend that has one and uses a pr of jbl l300's with his and the room is about the same size as you describe yours is .save some money and get the ma2275

 

[doclamb]

Thank you for your replies. I'll go with the MA2275 which is the way I was leaning. By way of explanation, the reason that I was considering the MC352 was that there was one listed here in Portland on CL. The owner stated that it had a small crack in the glass but the rest of the unit was clean. He need $ and would take $1,400 for it. For that amount I thought duh OK I'll look. Well you know what they say about those things that are to good to be true. Needless to say warning to anyone looking at that add. The unit looked as though it had been dropped as the glass had a "starburst" fracture, and there were several dents and scratches through out the unit that lead me to believe that the unit was at best, beat to hell. I don't know why someone would do that to such a beautiful piece of equipment but then I can't figure out why we're in Iraq either. Go figure.
Thanks again for your thoughts, Rob

 

[doclamb]

Well I just pulled the trigger on the MA2275, which will be my first piece of Mcintosh equipment. Like most I to have alway loved the sound of Mcintosh. The MA2275 should arrive in a week and for those who may want to know what the Altec's and Mcintosh sound like together I'll let you know. This should be fun. The rest of my system: Cal Audio Delta transport and Alpha DAC w/NOS tubes, Denon DP-60L player, JPS cables.

 

[Number 9]

Please let us know. A lot of people forget to come back and tell us their outcomes.

 

[radioactive]

yes pleae do come back and let us know .if not i might be forced to steal my friends while he's sleeping and do the report myself lol .congradulations on the purchase and hope you enjoy countless hours of lost sleep listening to it .:thmbsp:

chris