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Why would you buy a McIntosh Pre-Amp?

Absolutely beautiful!

Thank you all for responding. Love to see the level of passion on the forum.

PHC1 - It was a little tongue in cheek, however, I did want to start a serious conversation. Just because something is expensive, does not mean it is by definition good. Just because a company has a core competency in amps/audio and is outstanding in one particular field, does not by definition mean it is good in other areas, i.e. video. I distinctly remember a thread on this forum mentioning a McFan who bought a Lumagen external video processing unit to handle upconversion and video signals. Why not a Mc if they are so good at everything?

masterlu - I might have to light the stake myself after doing the pre-amp taste test!

Carl - that was good. lol. I guess after all these years you must get bored by the same questions and discussions over and over again...

dj_AmTraX - That Denon looks great on paper, and am actually a big fan of rackmounts (audiostudio image). But, point well taken! I will have to listen to the MX- and C-series.

AudioClassics1 - Good points! Thanks for the constructive feedback

Tropical - Is it? 1. Does Mc do everything well that a pre 'should' do? Video upconversion? Ethernet streaming audio? AV synch delay? Crossover? If money were not an issue....

howiebrou - Little Nellie is a bit naughty me thinks.

salm - You are correct, there is always more homework to be done. But, I should have been more specific, as I am researching if it is possible to get top-notch, quality video and audio combined into one affordable tool. I referred to a pre-amp as not just audio, but a means to connect all the toys, including video and streaming. On paper the Onkyo has it all.

I have actually looked at quite a few Mc products, as I am seriously considering them, hence the thread. In fact my first Mc power amp should be arriving any time now!:music:

Regarding the pre/HT/video section I am just not sold, since I need so many diverse functions. Perhaps there is no such thing! The Holy Grail of home entertainment. Perhaps audio and video should stay separate. In which case....

1. Mc Pre for purely audio analog processing. (e.g C45)
2. A Lumagen, Crystallio II or DVDO for video upconversion.
3. A PassLabs XVR1 or Bryston 10B for crossover
4. An HDMI 1.3x Blu-Ray (e.g. Denon 3800BDCI) player that converts all codecs into 7.1 analog outs using the latest D/A and Op chips available and has a Realta video chip
5. An ethernet streaming device with respectable D/A such as SlimDevices

Where does one stop on this slippery slope into a $0.00 bank account!? It is a fun hobby though, even the contemplation and research bit.:D

All the feedback is appreciated!
 
One additional, if slightly off topic, question:

How prevalent are McIntosh's amps and pre-amps in audio or film recording studios?

Cheers.
 
I know of McIntosh amps used in studios (mine included). The pre-amp is not necessary (most of the time) in these applications. The mixing board takes the place of the pre-amp since it contains mic pre-amps and line amps along with switching capabilities for different channel outputs.
 
CarlV said:
Troll.jpg



Carl :boring:
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Carl...you posing for dolls again?? that is a nice likeness!!:D
 
audio-ed said:
Only those who own mcintosh would truly understand.
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I'm thinking we should just incorporate the slogan "It's a McIntosh thing, you wouldn't understand" for these kind of posts. Hey it's working for Jeep. :D
 
tr@nz said:
PHC1 - It was a little tongue in cheek, however, I did want to start a serious conversation.
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When you start a post by saying "Why would anyone in their right mind want to buy a Mc pre-amp" don't expect a serious conversation in return. It's a bit insulting and please keep in mind that people must have done something "right" with their minds to be able to afford McIntosh in the first place. As far as the rest goes, most people here have owned tons of different gear before and there must be a reason why members hold on to their McGear and stick around here much longer than any other forums. Don't think you've "rediscovered" high end audio with the Integra line as the "be all", "end all" solution of perfect sound and functionality, been there, done that, got disappointed, lost money and didn't even get a t-shirt. The rest is up to you, maybe someday you will discover the benefits of owning McIntosh gear, maybe you won't.
 
Oh I'm really amazed by the spec. of the Integra...But wait a minute, no phono input ? No tubes in it ? Okay, I will stick to my C2200 then...:D
 
why a Mc Pre Amp

I got the McIntosh Preamp, because I can finally afford to get a Mc Pre amp, and part of my Mc System that I waited years to afford.

I have listened to many systems, and read many many specs, and for me this is the best sounding preamp, and system i ever owned.

The most important thing is how it sounds to your ears and how satisfied you are with your purchase.
 
PHC1 - No insult meant by my post at all! I appreciate all the comments and experiences that the forum is willing to share.

Just using a healthy dosage of sarcasm to stir up a good conversation...which it did. :) And I enjoyed the slaps and sarcasm that were returned in favour. :thmbsp:

You might have missed the part about me becoming part of the McFamily as soon as tonight, when my first McAmp will be delivered by the friendly UPS guy. (Who might have a little lower back pain after carrying the box up three flights of stairs)

Cheers.
 
Alaric - Good quote, I will remember that!

"Bottom line-you don't always get what you pay for , but you almost never get what you didn't pay for."
 
tr@nz said:
You might have missed the part about me becoming part of the McFamily as soon as tonight, when my first McAmp will be delivered by the friendly UPS guy. (Who might have a little lower back pain after carrying the box up three flights of stairs)

Cheers.
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Well, I don't think you'll be posting that same question again after listening for a bit. :thmbsp:
 
tr@nz said:
You might have missed the part about me becoming part of the McFamily as soon as tonight, when my first McAmp will be delivered by the friendly UPS guy. (Who might have a little lower back pain after carrying the box up three flights of stairs)

Cheers.
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which Mcintosh amp have you bought, btw?

enjoy it, and I'm sure you will :)

Keep them spinning,
Bert.
 
There is a substantial difference between a preamp-processor and a preamp in terms of what it does.

I am a Mc fan or I would not lurk around here and there are far more two-channel posts than A/V postings, afterall, this is "Audiokarma."

In regard to Mc holding its value better than lesser brands -- it certainly does as a visit to Audio Classics or Audiogon will show -- BUT, pre/pros are not quite in the category of amps and stereo preamps when it comes to resale value since pre/pros are often outdated by newer technologies. When (rather IF) I can sell my MX134, I will take quite a beating on its price because it is outdated even though it is built well, enoyable to use and has served me well over the years.

The Onkyo pre/pro does, indeed, have far more digital bangs and whistles than does the MX136 and that can raise questions as to where the processing of the new digital audio formats best takes place. The lack of a phono stage is unimportant to some of us. Certainly the Onkyo (decent CE brand, BTW) will lose value as it ages, but if it loses half of its value, then the consumer loses $800 and if the MX136 loses half of its value after the MX137 arrives some day, then the purchaser loses $~5000, so amount lost depends upon perspective. Certainly the Onkyo does not have the look and feel, the construction quality, pride of ownership, etc. of the Mc pre/pro.

With that said, the part that I wonder about is comparing the quality of the lossless HD digital sound produced by the Onkyo when compared to that produced by the MX136 when that sound stays in the digital domain from the high def DVD until the DACs in the pre/pro take over and the sound is sent to the amps. In my case, MC501s power the center channels and MC352s power the rears and sides -- I wonder how much difference trained ears would hear in such a comparison if the same amps were used for the lossless HD audio (my interests are not in analog or tubes at all which I realize is heresy to many here, but to each his or her own). Would there be that much difference in sound quality??

MikeSp
 
tr@nz said:
One additional, if slightly off topic, question:

How prevalent are McIntosh's amps and pre-amps in audio or film recording studios?

Cheers.
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A few years ago, I picked up a set of Mac MC-30s that came out of Fantasy Studios in Oakland, CA. They were beat up, had all sorts of different input connectors (1/4" phone jacks, etc) drilled into the chassis but still worked. I suspect they had run for years at a time back in the day. I'd like to think that they drove the mixdown monitor for many of those recordings I love like Credence Clearwater and Bud Shank. The amps were restored and sold to an enthusastic gentleman outside of Sacramento who still uses them with his JBL speakers of similar vintage.

As for what's used today, many recording studios are using near field monitors that are self-powered. While there are still passive far-field monitors around, I know that many, many studios have switched to bi-amped, self-powered speakers for daily work. I'd like to think that there's Mac stuff in there, such as Steve Hoffman's setups.

Cheers,

David
 
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