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Time for a Pre change? Need the wisdom...

I bought a mac C 41preamp and a pair of AA 10T’s. 

There is a harsh edge riding on the high end... I cant get rid of it.  I have changed everything out and still cant remove it...... I have the opportunity to buy a Parasound A21 and a P6....  What’s the feeling here on this era of Mac? I have had people I respect and in the business prefer the Parasound over the Mac. 

Is the Mac on the bright side and is the P6 in the same ballpark. I have emailed AA about the harshness... maybe xover or maybe bad tweets? It’s killing me. I feel if I clean house (amp- pre) with new equipment I will have a better chance at getting to the relaxing listening days again.

All opinions are welcome... I have a thick skin as I know everything... lol
captbeaver
captbeaver's avatar
captbeaver OP
78 posts
 
Mac 7100... now the crown... only because I have to. I know the Crown isn’t what I need, just what I have! 
captbeaver's avatar
captbeaver OP
78 posts
 
Aux....

I thank you for your help as all the other members. I am actually thinking of driving to NC to listen to. Few pair of speakers... Motion 60’s and the 7T’s.  I LOVE a huge sound stage and punch... I am a musician... 
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
2,766 posts
 
@erik_squires      "I've heard some complain about some Mc's being bright to harsh, but first, room acoustics and speaker placement. "

Have you yourself heard a Mac to verify this?  McIntosh  is not bright or harsh sounding.  If anything, they are more laid back.  If you haven't heard the McIntosh equipment yourself, then you really don't know what they sound like.   I would love for some other McIntosh owners to chime in.
auxinput
1,538 posts
 
@captbeaver - The 7T are COMPLETELY different speakers than the older 10T.  The 7T use soft-dome ring radiator tweeters and a paper cone midrange.  I would probably put the 7T as a "Sonus Faber" type of sound.  I think the 7T would really shine with a very high resolution amplifier, but of course it's all up to your taste.  There are a hundred different directions you could go.  It's difficult to say if the Parasound would mate well with the 7T or if it would be too warm (unless you like that slightly warm character).
mattmiller's avatar
mattmiller
1,180 posts
 
There is nothing wrong with the sound of a correctly functioning C41 MAC. I doubt that it is the problem look else where in your system. C41's are clean clear and detailed with great high's typical of of a McIntosh preamp.


Matt M
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