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New to me McIntosh C1100

rocknroll1

rocknroll1

Well-Known Member
I found what I think was a good deal on a dealer demo unit. This my 1st non vintage Mc. I had a C20 paired with MC30's witch powered my Cornwalls. Also set up in that room was Accuphase P400/C240 with JBL L300's. I will be setting my new C1100 tomorrow so no pictures yet. Both amps will be hooked up to it. I have a couple of questions. I had a MP100 phono pre hooked up to the C20 to allow me to play MC carts. Should I use it with the C1100? Which one would you think is the better phono stage? I eventually plan on selling p400 and mc30's to upgrade to 1 amp or pair of mono's. What would you guys suggest. I have been looking at mc 601's, 452 and maybe 275's but have not heard any of them. The dealer told me they had it paired with 601's in the showroom.
 
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Since it's already in your possession, you might as well try the MP100, as you never know. That said, I wouldn't be surprised if the C1100s phono stage was the way to go. Just a guess, as I haven't heard either.

I recently demoed both the MC452 and the MC601s, and you couldn't go wrong with either. Both sounded truly amazing.
I preferred the MC601s, but that may have had more to do with the speakers that each were connected to; Martin Logans for the 452, and B&Ws for the 601s
(not sure which models, but I'm pretty sure the B&Ws were 802s). Also, the 452 was playing music files, while the 601s were playing vinyl.

Congratulations on the C1100 and whichever amp you decide on.
 
The C1100 will have one sound the MP 100 another. Just like picking two different phono cartridges. Doesn't mean ones better than the other, they are different. The 1100 should be a touch quieter with MC cartridges. All the reviewers say the MP 100 is on the bright side. Compared to my C-34 yes, compared to my old C-29, no. But I preferred the C-29, and prefer the MP100 sound for the Cartridges I choose.


I'm rambling again.

I was listening to some 8444 and 4449 recordings on LP today, and the MP 100 definitely sound ed better than the C-34 using Dynavector cartridge. The MP 100 didn't load up and sound over modulated like the C-34 did. I will say the old Soundstream recordings don't match up to my recordings I use make with Telefunken mikes. My recordings do have tape hiss even with Dolby noise reduction. But thats analog. I use to go out and chase trains using Ampex 600-2 using a Trip lite inverter in the back of the van. Then I changed to an A-77 2 trk MK IV. Then a portable Nakamichi so I could place the mics right near the rail,. and finally A Professional Sony Cam corder with Dolby. With careful adjustment the Sony gave the best results and I could have picture, too and didn't need the Trip lite. Some where in there I changed to a small Diaphragm Audio Technica Stereo Mic. The sound was better, but the bass wasn't as impressive. When we traveled behind 8444 and 3985 in the sound car they would supply us with 120 volts AC to recharge our batteries or to power our recorders. By the time I got to ride behind 611 and 1218 I was using my Cam corder and all I had to worry about was keeping the batteries charged and the lens clean from soot and steam vapor. I have no remembrance of How loud a steam whistle under a passenger load dock shed can be when standing next to the drivers, but your entire body resonates when 8444 blows her low pitched steam whistle. I have tried to duplicate the sound and even the big discos couldn't come close. I will say 611 and 1218 were much superior mechanically in fit and finish to the UP engines in the 80's. I was in Portland two years ago as they were installing new flews in 4449 and they are doing the same thing now to 611. UP is restoring 4014 one of the largest Articulated steam locomotives ever for the 150 th anniversary of the golden spike next year. I plan on being there. I'll have to break out the Go Pro. Surely the Pros will be there to record the event in 4K
 
Congratulations on the C1100!

I'd recommend the MC452. It is a fantastic amplifier and will power almost any speaker you can find out there and does so with superior performance.

Good luck with the upgrades.
 
twiiii said:
. . . I'm rambling again.

I was listening to some 8444 and 4449 recordings on LP today, and the MP 100 definitely sound ed better than the C-34 using Dynavector cartridge. The MP 100 didn't load up and sound over modulated like the C-34 did. I will say the old Soundstream recordings don't match up to my recordings I use make with Telefunken mikes. My recordings do have tape hiss even with Dolby noise reduction. But thats analog. I use to go out and chase trains using Ampex 600-2 using a Trip lite inverter in the back of the van. Then I changed to an A-77 2 trk MK IV. Then a portable Nakamichi so I could place the mics right near the rail,. and finally A Professional Sony Cam corder with Dolby. With careful adjustment the Sony gave the best results and I could have picture, too and didn't need the Trip lite. Some where in there I changed to a small Diaphragm Audio Technica Stereo Mic. The sound was better, but the bass wasn't as impressive. When we traveled behind 8444 and 3985 in the sound car they would supply us with 120 volts AC to recharge our batteries or to power our recorders. By the time I got to ride behind 611 and 1218 I was using my Cam corder and all I had to worry about was keeping the batteries charged and the lens clean from soot and steam vapor. I have no remembrance of How loud a steam whistle under a passenger load dock shed can be when standing next to the drivers, but your entire body resonates when 8444 blows her low pitched steam whistle. I have tried to duplicate the sound and even the big discos couldn't come close. I will say 611 and 1218 were much superior mechanically in fit and finish to the UP engines in the 80's. I was in Portland two years ago as they were installing new flews in 4449 and they are doing the same thing now to 611. UP is restoring 4014 one of the largest Articulated steam locomotives ever for the 150 th anniversary of the golden spike next year. I plan on being there. I'll have to break out the Go Pro. Surely the Pros will be there to record the event in 4K
Click to expand...

For the record (not the recording though), I have ridden behind both 4449 (up the Columbia River) and 8444 (now just 844) from Denver to Cheyenne. Got a tour of the Cheyenne shops where the 3985 was under maintenance at the time. NW built their own engines (611 and 1218) which may explain the better fit and finish. The 844 and 4449 whistles are more like steam boat whistles than locomotive. I also plan to be at Promontory / Ogden for the 150th. Need to grab some hotel rooms. Good stuff! Sorry about the thread hijack.
 
I've ridden behind 8444, 844, and 3985 so many times I can't count. I would ride with the Rocky mountain RR club in the Spring and the Intermountain Chapter of the NRHS is the fall one year and then the reverse the next. Year. I loved when the NRHS would have their annual get to gethers in Colo. Denver, Cheyenne, Manitou, George Town, Cripple Creeks, Golden, Alamoso, Chama, Durango and Silverton. Film was very expensive and processing worse. I could easily shoot 200 rolls of 120 over 10 to `14 days. The Steamfests in Sacramentos old town and chasing the trains there were a blast, too. But as much as I love the UP and N&W engines the best excursions I was ever on were behind 4449 as the Freedom Train and the year she went to the Worlds fair in New Orleans. I went to Phoenix one time and back on Amtrak and then to San Antonio and back home to El Paso on South West Air lines. I was an Ambassador for the DSNG for many many years, when Charlie owned the RR and Amos was the VP in charge of operations. I didn't own a computer at the time so I missed out on the 844 excursion from Denver to Clolorado Springs, Leadville to Glen wood Springs. I will say the trips with 611 and 1218 were fantastic, too. But the scenery was so Boring. From Lexington to Chattanooga and back.
 
Finally got it hooked up today. Here are some pictures as promised. Excuse the mess, my daughter and son in-law plus 6 month baby moved in while they are remodeling there house. My music room is of the bedroom they are staying in I gave it to them for for room. It will be properly set up after they move out next month.

IMG_1074.JPG IMG_1075.JPG
 
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After reading the manual I have a couple of question. The manual does a job of explaining how to do something but not why. On this unit you can turn off unused inputs, should I? I have 2 amps hooked up you can make them switched or unswitched (there are no plugs to plug into on the back) what would this do? Are both amps receiving a signal at the same time?
 
rocknroll1 said:
On this unit you can turn off unused inputs, should I?
Click to expand...
I would it will help with not letting noise get into the system.
rocknroll1 said:
I have 2 amps hooked up you can make them switched or unswitched
Click to expand...
You have a main output and that's on all the time.

Output 1&2 are selected with a switch on the front of the preamp. Using these you can select either or to play individually, or both on at the same time.

rocknroll1 said:
Are both amps receiving a signal at the same time?
Click to expand...
Read above, you can have all three getting the same signal. And actually since you have RCA & XLR for each that totals 6 outputs.
 
4-2-7 said:
I would it will help with not letting noise get into the system.

You have a main output and that's on all the time.

Output 1&2 are selected with a switch on the front of the preamp. Using these you can select either or to play individually, or both on at the same time.

Read above, you can have all three getting the same signal. And actually since you have RCA & XLR for each that totals 6 outputs.
Click to expand...

does it cut down on the quality of the signal by leaving both on but only turning 1 amp on?
 
I am currently running MC 30's restored by AC paired to my C1100. will I miss that tube sound with the SS MC 452 or MC 601's? Also can you hook 2 pairs of speakers to the 452 or 601? Of course not to use at the same time.
 
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