• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

McIntosh Preamplifier help

Caveat Emptor.....

I have in the past related my experience with trying to get Gow to quantify the sound improvement we all heard of the at that time new MC2255 vs. the MC2205.

His warning to me still runs true "Do not ever allow your customer to consider he was foolish to do business with us because you promise something he can not hear".

There are lots of fanboys out there on the net spewing out superlatives most of whom have never had to issue a refund check because they couldn't deliver.

Buyer beware!
 
c_dk said:
Caveat Emptor.....

I have in the past related my experience with trying to get Gow to quantify the sound improvement we all heard of the at that time new MC2255 vs. the MC2205.

His warning to me still runs true "Do not ever allow your customer to consider he was foolish to do business with us because you promise something he can not hear".

There are lots of fanboys out there on the net spewing out superlatives most of whom have never had to issue a refund check because they couldn't deliver.

Buyer beware!
Click to expand...

Fair enough. To be honest, I’ve been around long enough to know that stuff “up the line” can be ultimately disappointing, particularly when you are satisfied with what you already have. It seems the consensus of opinion is that the MX110 sounds very good I’m its own right, and if I like the way it looks, it’s worth having for half as much money. I don’t expect miracles.
 
Well, have fun.

I think it is wonderful to restore these quality vintage units to their past glory and if possible to add some known modern touches to ramp them up a notch all the better.

I do find most of them to truely reflect the excellence of the time and find it satisfying they often perform so well.

Just go in knowing the pitfalls and hype that abounds.
 
Ok - I pulled the trigger on an MX110z, very late model in what looks to be 8.5-9/10 condition. Recently rehabbed with caps, etc. I can’t say whether this is a super high end rehab job, but that’s ok because cosmetics are very good (for instance, faceplate lettering is perfect) and I intend to rehab this myself to get the last drop out of it (if I can).

I’m super happy with my choice. I saved about $1500 to $2000 compared to a nice C20 or C22 (and maybe even a C11, given prices these days), which i just think is a better value overall. And this leaves money for power amps (i want monoblocks). AND, I REALLY like the way the tuners look when lit up.

Will post pics when it arrives.
 
Plimpington2 said:
That’s a B1?! It looks amazing. You have pic of it lit up, by chance?
Click to expand...

I haven’t had a chance to swap the LED’s into the mx110 yet, but here is a couple shots of the mx110 compared to the c38 below.

With the lights on in the room though, you can barely tell the mx110 is on. That’s not the case with the c38, which shines bright no matter how light the room is.

AEFBCEF4-ED2B-4B5C-8D1A-BF8FD4D8A760.jpeg 930ADFAD-FA01-46E7-99DD-FDEFA597B75C.jpeg
7004927A-A2F3-493C-BD89-555276D4F9DC.jpeg
 
Green LEDs in the MX110 really improve the appearance however the dimmer switch will have a very limited effect if that function is important to the user. Here's another member's MX110 with green LEDs installed.

index.php
 
I'm a little late to this thread. I would consider the MX110z to be a step sideways not down from a C22. They have their own very magical sound and also image very well. They have a certain spatial audio thing that is hard to describe but very pleasurable. I have heard plenty of very high end preamps, but I have never heard one the re creates a live performance with more of the "your there" magic than an MX110z.
 
swd said:
I'm a little late to this thread. I would consider the MX110z to be a step sideways not down from a C22. They have their own very magical sound and also image very well. They have a certain spatial audio thing that is hard to describe but very pleasurable. I have heard plenty of very high end preamps, but I have never heard one the re creates a live performance with more of the "your there" magic than an MX110z.
Click to expand...

Well, I’m pretty happy with it so far. I can’t comment on the C22, having never heard it. But as I have gotten older I’ve begun to appreciate some things that are not directly related to sound quality, but that being genuine satisfaction, like aesthetics. I want to build a box for it. In fact, I have a Mac 1500 and 1700 that need boxes as well. I have my work cut out for me.
 
sounds like you already made your preamp selection, but thought I would add, for those on a budget who are into MAC or other tube gear, and 100% phono playback, the deal of the century is the EAR 834 Clone offered by Doukmall on ebay. 400 bucks plus ship. Can easily be upgraded, and has active gain and volume output so can drive a power amp directly.

The phono stage sounds so good, I feed it into a line level input on the C22 or other preamps I use.

best
 
I just put these LED’s in last night. I got them from Thackery. They are plain white and kept the stock blue inserts in the mx110.

They are more the color blue like my 2105 than they are green/blue. I’m fine with it. It looks good in person.


E4A8B50A-644C-4EB3-93AE-9B0CE48C63A3.jpeg
 
Last edited:
I’m surprised people have trouble driving power amps with the mx110z. I haven’t had that issue with any amp I’ve tried.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom