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the best preamp for my mc-501s

Fattner

Fattner

Super Member
okmy new mac buddies what out there is the best tube mac preamp that will go prefect with my mc-501 ,I have a Marantz tt15 with moving magnet cart (comes with the unit ) also a tube jolida cd player (I would love a sacd player but that's later ) my speakers are clsiiz , ok guys let me know which mac would be the best bang for the buck ,my current preamp is a jolida music envoy also tube .thx:music::music::music:
 
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And this is how it happens . . . buy one Mc piece (or a pair!) and then you get the bug. I'm no expert in modern McIntosh preamps so I'll let the other guys chime in.

The C2300 is probably the most discussed modern McIntosh tube preamp here.
 
damacman said:
And this is how it happens . . . buy one Mc piece (or a pair!) and then you get the bug. I'm no expert in modern McIntosh preamps so I'll let the other guys chime in.

The C2300 is probably the most discussed modern McIntosh tube preamp here.
Click to expand...

D he's going to have wall to wall McIntosh in a minute:D:banana:
 
The C2300 for tubes and get the D100 to go with it for it's DAC.

Or if you can find one a C100 or C200 and the D100

Maybe find a C48 as Kev loves his.

But since you surprised everyone that were trying to save you money on the amp choice.

Go get a C500 and C500T
 
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i got great deal on the mc501 cnt pass it up , but i have to conserve alittle on the preamp end or the wife will kill me lol
 
Well I think the C100 & 200 will be the cheapest or maybe the C48. I don't know off hand if the C48 has MC inputs. $3000- 4000

The C2300 is around $4000-4500

The D100 is a digital preamp that only has digital inputs, but is highly regarded as Mac best DAC. A lot of people add this into their system for DAC duty only. New $2500
 
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For what it's worth.

I have just been litening to the 501s lately because of the clarirty and detail over my MC275s

You have been listening to tube gear for a while, an SS Pre and the 501s just might be the ticket. You already have a tube preamp it's not mac but it provids the tube sound. It would also be cheaper and more selections going with a fine Mac SS pre.
 
yes u might be correct , my speakers really came to life with these amps , but i also love the tube soubd i believe the comb works !! but i bet a mac SS preamp would be awsome to , again thx for ur imput
 
I heard a D100 feeding a C2500 tube pre recently and it was amazing. It has me re-thinking my current pre (SS MX119)...

Damn this hobby... LOL
 
4-2-7 said:
Well I think the C100 & 200 will be the cheapest or maybe the C48. I don't know off hand if the C48 has MC inputs. $3000- 4000

The C2300 is around $4000-4500

The D100 is a digital preamp that only has digital inputs, but is highly regarded as Mac best DAC. A lot of people add this into their system for DAC duty only. New $2500
Click to expand...

Fattner said:
whts the used price on a c2300 ???
Click to expand...

This maybe less depending on condition.

I think the 2500 list new at $8,700 and comes with a built in DAC but seems to have far more issues than the D100.

Before the C2500 came out the C2300 & D100 was the way to go, it still is.

C2300 used $4000-$4500
D100 New $2500

Oh and these two are a perfect match to the 501s
 
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