McIntosh Preamp

I spoke with Audio Classics this morning. I’m impressed, although closed on Saturday, Steve called me in regards to my email inquiry. I am leaning towards a MX-130 or C-39. I know they both do the video thing which I wouldn’t use at all and a tuner on the 130, but I believe they have pass through 2 channel audio. The C-31 they have has an issue which I really don’t want to deal with. Thoughts?

The MX-130 represents an excellent value for a McIntosh pre-amp.
Their HT pre-amps are essentially stereo pres when run in analog mode. I use an MX-120 with great success. I do not think you would be disappointed by the MX-130, and if you were, the depreciation is already out of this unit, so you could sell it for what you paid.

I've had a couple of other pieces repaired at AudioClassics and they are great to deal with, plus they're likely to throw in actual Mc packaging which you'll want for secure shipping.

Let us know how it goes!

Thank you for the input and I sure will.

Not that I would use it because I haven’t listened to FM radio in 15 years. Does the tuners of yesterday MX-130 receive radio signal transmitted today?

Yes, as long as it is a standard (over the air) FM signal. You will not be able to pull in "HD" or digital channels without a separate HD decoder. Some of these decoders are coming packaged with networked audio players, which could provide more flexibility for you. Something like the Denon DN-350UI.