Need help, not sure if I have this set up right.

[Jeffbrown17]

I just got a McIntosh 2105 amp and a C-26 preamp and I’m new to having a preamp/amp set up and have never set one up before. I have it set
Up now and it’s making noise but is coming out a little on the muddy side. Used both my klipsch KG4s and my McIntosh ML-1s and it’s not sounding up to par with what I’ve associated with McIntosh. I’m chalking it up to maybe I’ve got it hooked up wrong or something idk. These speakers really aren’t the best speakers in the world though. Any help is appreciated.

 

[Jeffbrown17]

Should my speakers be plugged into my pre amp or power amp? Also is rca cables the only that that’s supposed to link a pre amp and power amp? Seems like there should be more connections between the two. Idk I’m new to the pre amp life.

 

[kwayde]

https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/c26-mc2105-and-speakers.498360/

See page 6 here:
http://www.berners.ch/McIntosh/Downloads/C26_own.pdf

 

[BamaBilly]

Speakers go to the amp

 

[John James]

The C 26 also has speaker outputs. You can run main and/or remote speakers if you want.

Run them from the pre or the power amp. Your choice.

 

[Jeffbrown17]

The C 26 also has speaker outputs. You can run main and/or remote speakers if you want.

Run them from the pre or the power amp. Your choice.

Is there a difference in sound or anything if you plug into the pre amp instead of the power amp? Also does anyone have speaker suggestions? I’m using KG4s right now and looking to upgrade to the klipsch cornwalls or maybe la scalas. So I’m wanting something that’s on par with the big sound of the cornwalls.

 

[maxhifi]

You connect the power amp speaker output terminals to the preamp's "amplifier output" terminals with short speaker wires. Then connect one or two sets of speakers "main" and "remote" to the preamp, as you would with any other amplifier. All that the preamp does to the speaker signal is allow you to switch between main and remote speakers. It also lets you use the headphone jack on the preamp, which gets its signal from the power amplifier. If you don't care about the ability to switch between main and remote speakers or the headphone jack, then just connect your speakers directly to the power amp. My C24 is set up the same way, and I've never bothered to connect it this way, since I don't use either remote speakers or headphones with my stereo.

 

[Jeffbrown17]

You connect the power amp speaker output terminals to the preamp's "amplifier output" terminals with short speaker wires. Then connect one or two sets of speakers "main" and "remote" to the preamp, as you would with any other amplifier. All that the preamp does to the speaker signal is allow you to switch between main and remote speakers. It also lets you use the headphone jack on the preamp, which gets its signal from the power amplifier. If you don't care about the ability to switch between main and remote speakers or the headphone jack, then just connect your speakers directly to the power amp.

Very well put, thank you for your help!

 

[maxhifi]

Very well put, thank you for your help!

I just edited my post with a diagram from the manual - no problem.... ignore the bit about the center speaker and the mono speaker, those are obsolete things. Also, the muddy sound is likely because this equipment is old enough to get a senior's discount... it likely needs some parts changed to work properly if that hasn't been done yet. You may want to send it to a McIntosh tech before using it much.

 

[petehall347]

are you using a turntable ?

 

[Jeffbrown17]

are you using a turntable ?

Yes I’m using a technics SL1200 mk2 with a blue point no2 cart.

 

[Jeffbrown17]

I just edited my post with a diagram from the manual - no problem.... ignore the bit about the center speaker and the mono speaker, those are obsolete things. Also, the muddy sound is likely because this equipment is old enough to get a senior's discount... it likely needs some parts changed to work properly if that hasn't been done yet. You may want to send it to a McIntosh tech before using it much.

I just got in touch with a guy so we could run some tests on it and see what’s goin on with it.

 

[John James]

Take them both to the doctor. You will have a life time set up when they are healthy.

 

[Refugee]

I have been using this same pre amp and amp pair for 15 years. great combo!