McIntosh 2105 need preamp help

[ajeffreyg]

I am a new member and would welcome some input. Since I was a kid was facinated with McIntosh equipment. I had the opportunity to and purchased a McIntosh 2105 power ampifier in prisitine condition from the original owner and couldn't resist. Now I need a compatible preamp/tuner and am looking for suggestion. Please help!!

[basite]

Hi, Welcome to AudioReview! I hope you'll like it here...

ooh,

nice amp, congrats :)

the best match to a Mcintosh amp, would be, well, a Mcintosh preamp...

there are several nice ones on Audiogon, Sound wise, the new models are better than the old (70's, early 80's were less good than the 60's products and the late 80's and 90's products). So aim for something from the mid/early 90's.
I have a MA6400 integrated from 1997, no problems whatsoever (of course, it's a Mcintosh), and it sounds exellent.

here (http://www.berners.ch/McIntosh/en/Frame_McIntosh.htm) is a site with lots of info on the Mcintosh products...

Other than Mcintosh pre's, also check out Accuphase...

Happy hunting!!

Keep them spinning,
Bert.

[Feanor]

I am a new member and would welcome some input. Since I was a kid was facinated with McIntosh equipment. I had the opportunity to and purchased a McIntosh 2105 power ampifier in prisitine condition from the original owner and couldn't resist. Now I need a compatible preamp/tuner and am looking for suggestion. Please help!!

Congradulations on your great score. :thumbsup: I love the look and feel of the Macs, both vintage and current.

A great complement to your 2105 would be a C26 preamp from the same era; see the a picture below. I've see decent C26's go for under $500 on eBay. A C28 would be nice too but a little more expensive, maybe $650.

Per basite's remarks, if you want a newer Mac preamp, you probably need to go post-1990; say a C40 or newer still. The cost will be in the range of $900-1000 however for a C40.

A great McIntosh reference is here ...
http://www.berners.ch/McIntosh/en/Frame_McIntosh.htm
...

[ajeffreyg]

Congradulations on your great score. :thumbsup: I love the look and feel of the Macs, both vintage and current.

A great complement to your 2105 would be a C26 preamp from the same era; see the a picture below. I've see decent C26's go for under $500 on eBay. A C28 would be nice too but a little more expensive, maybe $650.

Per basite's remarks, if you want a newer Mac preamp, you probably need to go post-1990; say a C40 or newer still. The cost will be in the range of $900-1000 however for a C40.

A great McIntosh reference is here ...
http://www.berners.ch/McIntosh/en/Frame_McIntosh.htm
...

I was also thinking of a possible Tuner/Preamp combo which would be appropriate with the Mac 2105. Also what is the difference between the preamps ie is it features, reduced distortion or ??

[basite]

Also what is the difference between the preamps ie is it features, reduced distortion or ??


a bit of everything...

features, but especially quality. Build quality has always been one of Mcintosh's strong points, so don't expect it to be built much better (they all are from a world class quality), but expect a better performance...

the C40 Feanor recommended looks like a really good pre, if you want to go vintage though, the C28 is a good pre, and also check the C33...

keep them spinning,
Bert.

[Feanor]

I was also thinking of a possible Tuner/Preamp combo which would be appropriate with the Mac 2105. Also what is the difference between the preamps ie is it features, reduced distortion or ??

Just a couple of observations. In general, the main benefit of tube amplifications is a smoothing of the sound; I doubt that the MC2105 really needs that effect.

Regarding McIntosh tube preamps, the company has made, and once again today makes, some great ones. The vintage ones are from before the 2105 era. One is the famous C22. But here's the rub ... vintage Mac tube equipment is ridiculously expensive, e.g. C22's run $3000. (Unless you're a collector, buy a current-model, used C220 instead of a C22 -- same price but with a lot more features and probably better sound.)

[basite]

a tuner preamp?

like the MX 113 from Mcintosh? It's an option, but Sound quality wise, you might be better of with a seperate preamp and tuner...

keep them spinning,
Bert.

[Feanor]

a tuner preamp?

like the MX 113 from Mcintosh? It's an option, but Sound quality wise, you might be better of with a seperate preamp and tuner...

keep them spinning,
Bert.

Bert, that's very good advice. A Mac tuner-preamp such as the MX113, 114, or 117 is much less expensive than a combo of preamp and tuner separates. By the way, vintage Mac tuners, (including the solid state ones), are well regarded, more so than their s/s preamps in fact.

[basite]

there is a Mcintosh MX-113 (http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?preatran&1204746293) on audiogon right now for $540...

Keep them spinning,
Bert.

[TheHills44060]

Not sure what your budget is but I picked up a McIntosh C220 tube preamp a couple weeks ago and I love it. Has all the features i was looking for and sounds fantastic, i highly recommend.