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Pre amp for Mcintosh 2105

Will2225

Will2225

AK Subscriber
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Hi, I recently purchased a serviced mcintosh 2105 and I'm in love with the sound. I'm using an audio research SP9MKII pre amp and I'm wondering if I would gain anything in going with a new pre amp to pair with the mcintosh. Any suggestions for a good pre amp that would go well with this amp? I'm using whardale linton 85th anniversary speakers and an svs sb1000 subwoofer. I love how it sounds currently but I'm always curious to try something new.
 
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Well, going with some Mac Pre-Amp might give you features that the existing pre-amp you use doesn't have.
Like Tone Controls for one. And a host of other nifty features inherit in many Mac PreAmps.

I'll guess from past experience, and say that the "time era correct" PreAmps for the MC-2105 would be the C-26, or C28. Like the MC-2105, yeah, these are old units. But they are the perfect physical and cosmetic matches.

Move into the future, and with PreAmps beginning with the number "4, or 5", like say C-42, C-50, etc, yes, much more modern, better specs, and as well much more pricey too. How much might you be willing to spend?

One of the best bangs for the dollar with more modern Mac gear could be a A/V Pre, and Pre-Tuner, such as the C-39, or the MX-130. Sad on one hand that these units didn't hold their value well due to obsolete decoder technology, but for someone looking for a nice used unit at present day, they are commonly much less expensive that their Stereo Siblings.

And they work just fine as a Stereo only Pre only. With like say the MX-130, you gain a FM Tuner, Bass-Treble Controls, a Subwoofer Out, Variable Loudness Compensation Dial, Remote Control of functions and FM Tuning in your arm chair. No capability of the use of a On Trigger power up though,the MX-130/C-39 has them, but the MC-2105 does not have the capability.
(Unless somehow you rig a separate unit to do such, as such might exist?)

About the only one minor downside and gripe is cosmetic, that the Knobs on the MX-130/C-39 are the more modern Knobs, but I do understand the MC-2105 can be retrofitted with the newer Knobs to better match if one chose to.

The MX-130 and C-39 can often be found around the $1000 price today. There were 3 versions of the MX-130, one had only something like 11 FM Station presets (first model I believe) The second had the capability of having 50 FM Station Presets, and the third I believe provided both RCA, and XLR Outs to Mains.

Both are large, quite impressive units. I think the MX-130 weighs 29 lbs. There was a Walnut Case available for them, but they look very nice without as well.

I have the second version bought new MX-130 ($4800) and have paired it originally for a good number of years with 2 of my MC-2105 Amps (Y-cabled from the front Stereo Outputs) A great pairing sonically.
 
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Congrats on your new purchase. If a period direct match is a factor, the C28 will fit that bill quite nicely. If not, consider a C32 or C33. These units are feature laden, with impressive specs and sound quality.
Finding a cosmetically pristine unit that has been recapped would be a priority.

There are also period correct tuner/preamps such as the MX112 or 113 to consider.
 
I should've mentioned in my first post, that unless being somewhere in person it inspect and hear before you buy, buying such a unit sight unseen can be a crap shoot. That, plus the worry about poor packing, and damage in shipping.

About the only business at a distance I'd be liable to trust would be Audio Classics. They inspect, test and fairly grade any used equipment they sell, you can trust packing will be done properly, and they'll stand behind what they sell you.

You might pay a little more, but there's much better assurance and piece of mind dealing with them. Many times how I've read about customers finding their B Grade units to be in flawless cosmetic and operating condition.

They are also a very good source for Parts too.
 
The only additional thought I can provide is that because of the 2105's high input impedance figures, it works beautifully with most tube preamps, something a lot of modern solid state amps have issues with. So if you were looking to try a really different flavor from your currently excellent preamp, a tube option might be a consideration.
 
seacliffe301 said:
There are also period correct tuner/preamps such as the MX112 or 113 to consider.
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I am a fan of the tuner-preamp combo (wish McIntosh would make a new one), have an MX117 myself that I really love.

My understanding is that the MX113 largely consists of the preamp section of a C26 and the tuner section of an MR74, and priced about the same as either one or the other. Tom Manley at mcintoshaudio.com is another respected source and has a couple in stock. Be prepared to wait 14 weeks for orders though.
 
frodaddi said:
I am a fan of the tuner-preamp combo (wish McIntosh would make a new one), have an MX117 myself that I really love.

My understanding is that the MX113 largely consists of the preamp section of a C26 and the tuner section of an MR74, and priced about the same as either one or the other. Tom Manley at mcintoshaudio.com is another respected source and has a couple in stock. Be prepared to wait 14 weeks for orders though.
Click to expand...

Are you saying it takes him 14 weeks for orders on stuff in stock?
 
sberger said:
Are you saying it takes him 14 weeks for orders on stuff in stock?
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Yes, that's the lead time on the website. I bought my MC2125 from him some years ago, at the time it was like an 8 week wait. Shipping box I got my MC2125 in was very substantial, amp bolted to a board and multiple layers of custom fitted foam etc.

Tom is an interesting character, does everything over the phone and is an interesting guy to talk to. I believe when an order comes in it goes into the queue, then once it makes it to the top the unit is gone over cosmetically and electrically before being shipped out. But it does require patience for the order. I admit that I was surprised myself, these days I've gotten so used to receiving online orders in like 2 days.
 
frodaddi said:
Yes, that's the lead time on the website. I bought my MC2125 from him some years ago, at the time it was like an 8 week wait. Shipping box I got my MC2125 in was very substantial, amp bolted to a board and multiple layers of custom fitted foam etc.

Tom is an interesting character, does everything over the phone and is an interesting guy to talk to. I believe when an order comes in it goes into the queue, then once it makes it to the top the unit is gone over cosmetically and electrically before being shipped out. But it does require patience for the order. I admit that I was surprised myself, these days I've gotten so used to receiving online orders in like 2 days.
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Wow. Ok. Interesting. Don't think I've ever experienced that before with the exception of companies that custom build. But for items in stock? Never.
 
BTW , this is an old yet useful thread looking for preamp for a Mc MC2300, which is the same as the 2105, just a lot more power.



I have used 3 of the pre's that CountD, an old forum favorite of mine, recommends, with both my 2105 and 2300 and I would agree with his assessments.I'm presently using the C22, and paired with KLH Model Six speakers it's one of the nicest sounding systems I've ever heard.

https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/pre-amp-for-a-mc2300-opinions.564816/#post-7408800
 
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If you want separate tone controls for each channel you want a C-29 and it doesn't have all the mechanical issues and the mis-tracking volume control like the C-26 and 28. I prefer the Graphic controls my self because I do A lot of LP listening. So I have a C-34 with the FET switching which cuts down on all sorts of noise issues also having gold chassis connectors. I only have to clean my balance and loudness controls occasionally now. For the best signal to noise and lowest distortion of the 16 inch units you want the very rare C-37. I have friends with MX 117's and they are nice units. I installed quite a few 2105's where guys were using C-24"S and C-22's. I preferred the little C-24 phono stage in particular, much better bass extension. But the coaxial tone controls can be a pain. Keeping all the switches clean was an issue for me where I live. With all the pre-amps of that period before the C-34 you want to use good quality cables with split center pins that are gold plated to cut down on intermittent signal issues of the older pre-amps. If you want to use long signal lines between the pre-amp and power amps, the C-28 has 600 ohm line level outputs,too. All the later C-29, 30 etc have low impedance outputs so long lines are not an issue anymore. Early tube pre-amps you want to use as short as possible high quality hook up cables because the tube units have high out put impedances. MY favorite tube pre-amp was the MX-110 Z model. . It had limited flexibility but the over all sound of the tuner section and pre-amp section was special for me combined with the MC 225 driving Klipsch, Altec, and JBL Efficient speakers. Preferred the 275 for AR-3 and 3a. My Bozaks preferred 275's also, Bi-amped.
 
I'm using a C39 in stereo mode with my 2105 now and like it for the remote controller and sub out. It sounds great.

I'd have liked to try it with my old C24, I was a huge fan of the sound.
 
Johnny_Law said:
I'm using a C39 in stereo mode with my 2105 now and like it for the remote controller and sub out. It sounds great.

I'd have liked to try it with my old C24, I was a huge fan of the sound.
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I had your old C24, and it was terrific with the 2105. They were really made for each other. Probably as close to a tube setup that one could get with all solid state.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. There's definitely plenty of choices and different models to consider. I think the c32 or c33 could be a good match. I think it'd be nice to pair the amp with another mcintosh although I'll have to save for quite awhile to afford one. I think going with something slightly more modern would probably sound the best. I'm also open to pre amps by other companies and a tube pre amp intrigues me a lot. My current Audio research is only a hybrid tube pre unfortunately and not fully tube. My ideal budget would be in-between 1,000-1,500. Due to my financial situation and the quality of my speakers I really can't justify spending more than that at this time, which does have some limitations.

On another note, this whole week I've been in such a good mood, simply because I finally own a quality macintosh amp and I love the sound. I love this hobby and can't wait to save up for a great new pre amp! Thanks everyone.
 
I second @sberger on the C24. I have one paired with my 2105, both of which were brought up to spec by Tom and Terry and I love them. The C24 is dead quiet and very simple - which is what I wanted. The phone section is excellent, and with my SUT I couldn't be happier. I do use an external DAC, but at this point would prefer that over an internal DAC that you cannot change. I like the flexibility and the C24 definitely allows that.
 
ajward549 said:
I second @sberger on the C24. I have one paired with my 2105, both of which were brought up to spec by Tom and Terry and I love them. The C24 is dead quiet and very simple - which is what I wanted. The phone section is excellent, and with my SUT I couldn't be happier. I do use an external DAC, but at this point would prefer that over an internal DAC that you cannot change. I like the flexibility and the C24 definitely allows that.
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I love my C22, but really, the difference in it and the the C24(and I believe twiii has stated as much in the past) is not that much. The 22 is obviously a tube piece, and exhibits a quality that I've never found in any solid state preamp, Mac or otherwise. It's also 4-5x more expensive then the 24. I can see where others might find the C34V pre, another one I own, better then the 24 in that it seems clearer, perhaps a little more dynamic, and obviously has tons more bells and whistles. But as good, solid, great sounding Mc preamps go, the 24 really is right there. And yes, it's a great match for the 2105.
 
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