Forget that old Mac tube gear! What you need is an Audio Research SP6 preamp and a D76 amp (now considered vintage - but the bomb back in the late 70's). And a pair of DCM Time Windows to complete your vintage system! This is what I presently use (among all my other gear)!
Speaker advice vintage McI tube amps
Hi all,
I’m looking for help regarding speaker recommendations. I am putting together a system and researching options. I’ve been reading a ton and have analysis paralysis. There’s nowhere to demo anything near where I live.
As a kid my Dad had a McIntosh 4100 and some pretty large IMF speakers in the 80s. I’m unsophisticated in terms of my listening preferences and knowledge but I liked that sound. Another friend had a tube set up which I don’t recall details of but also liked what I heard. I guess warm and musical might define my goal.
For better or worse I’ve jumped in and bought a MC30 pair, MC225 and a MC240 based solely on internet reading. I’m planning on buying a MX110 or maybe C20 preamp with vinyl source. I figure on auditioning my amps with whatever speakers I get and will probably keep my favorite and sell the other 2 or maybe keep one to build another set up for our cabin.
I have two spots in the house in which I can build my listening space: 14x10 with 8 foot ceilings, hardwood floors, windows along one wall; second space 20x15 with 14 foot vaulted ceiling, carpeted. First room would need smallish speakers to keep wife happy, second room is flexible.
I listen to mostly Grateful Dead, classic rock, some jazz. I keep volume medium.
I have a pair of Magnepan .7 that I haven’t tried to drive with any of these old tube amps. I’m not sure if I can use these—May sell or pick up modern amp (Rogue Audio Sphinx, Pass Labs xa25 from my research) to use somewhere.
I bought the Magnepans before getting the tube amps. If I can just use the Magnepans great but I’m guessing not. My priority is to get a great lifetime pair of speakers to bring the best out of one of these vintage McIntosh amps, avoid the need for upgrade-itis. My budget is 2-6kish. I’ve read about Klipschorns, and various other models of theirs, Tannoys. From pics they’d be way too big for the smaller room. I’m kind of hoping there is a great bookshelf size speaker I can put on a stand that will satisfy my needs.
Any thoughts, suggestions etc are greatly appreciated and I’ll be watching this thread closely.
Bill
I’m looking for help regarding speaker recommendations. I am putting together a system and researching options. I’ve been reading a ton and have analysis paralysis. There’s nowhere to demo anything near where I live.
As a kid my Dad had a McIntosh 4100 and some pretty large IMF speakers in the 80s. I’m unsophisticated in terms of my listening preferences and knowledge but I liked that sound. Another friend had a tube set up which I don’t recall details of but also liked what I heard. I guess warm and musical might define my goal.
For better or worse I’ve jumped in and bought a MC30 pair, MC225 and a MC240 based solely on internet reading. I’m planning on buying a MX110 or maybe C20 preamp with vinyl source. I figure on auditioning my amps with whatever speakers I get and will probably keep my favorite and sell the other 2 or maybe keep one to build another set up for our cabin.
I have two spots in the house in which I can build my listening space: 14x10 with 8 foot ceilings, hardwood floors, windows along one wall; second space 20x15 with 14 foot vaulted ceiling, carpeted. First room would need smallish speakers to keep wife happy, second room is flexible.
I listen to mostly Grateful Dead, classic rock, some jazz. I keep volume medium.
I have a pair of Magnepan .7 that I haven’t tried to drive with any of these old tube amps. I’m not sure if I can use these—May sell or pick up modern amp (Rogue Audio Sphinx, Pass Labs xa25 from my research) to use somewhere.
I bought the Magnepans before getting the tube amps. If I can just use the Magnepans great but I’m guessing not. My priority is to get a great lifetime pair of speakers to bring the best out of one of these vintage McIntosh amps, avoid the need for upgrade-itis. My budget is 2-6kish. I’ve read about Klipschorns, and various other models of theirs, Tannoys. From pics they’d be way too big for the smaller room. I’m kind of hoping there is a great bookshelf size speaker I can put on a stand that will satisfy my needs.
Any thoughts, suggestions etc are greatly appreciated and I’ll be watching this thread closely.
Bill
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- 6 posts total
- 6 posts total