Ordered a McIntosh

Went on a road trip today to Butch's Sound and Vision in Natrona Heights, PA. Butch is a great guy and spent some serious time showing us around and answering questions about McIntosh gear. He's been in business for 50 years! Quite informative. I ended up ordering a McIntosh MA 252 hybrid integrated amp. Hope to drive back next Saturday to pick it up.

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McIntosh MA252 Integrated Amp, LUMIN D2 Network Music Player, Yamaha Aventage RX-A840 receiver, Emotiva XPA Gen3 2 channel amp, Polk LSiM 703 speakers. Oppo UDP-203 Blu-Ray player, Polk LSiM 705 speakers. Polk Signature S20 speakers.
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Comments

  • GlennDog
    GlennDog Posts: 3,120
    Sweet . . . I'll have to look into this piece
    Congrats!
    AC Regenerator PS Audio PerfectWave Power Plant 10
    Source Lumin U1 Mini into Lampizator Baltic 4 DAC
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  • mlistens03
    mlistens03 Posts: 2,767
    Wow, that sure is pretty. :)
    Very nice!
  • Jetmaker737
    Jetmaker737 Posts: 1,048
    Congrats! Beautiful piece of gear.
    SystemLuxman L-590AXII Integrated Amplifier|KEF Reference 1 Loudspeakers|PS Audio Directream Jr|Sansui TU-9900 Tuner|TEAC A-6100 RtR|Nakamichi RX-202 Cassette
  • stretchl
    stretchl Posts: 1,334
    It’s lovely. Congratulations. Would’ve been a huge decision for me, and it may have been for you. Carpe diem!
    “Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'
    - Isaac Asimov

    Hi-Fi
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  • kharp1
    kharp1 Posts: 3,453
    Congrats, I have a fondness for Mac gear.
  • NotaSuv
    NotaSuv Posts: 3,854
    a work of art......very nice
  • tratliff
    tratliff Posts: 1,702
    You will love it. Congratulations.
    2 Channel Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II, 2 REL Carbon Limited, Norma Revo IPA-140B, Lumin U2 Mini, VPI Prime w/SoundSmith Zephyr MIMC, Modwright PH 150, Denon DP-59l w/Denon DL-301MKII, WAY Silver 3 Ana+ Speaker Cables, WAY Silver 4+ Interconnect Cables, AudioQuest Niagara 7000 w/Dragon and Hurricane Power Cables
  • Tony M
    Tony M Posts: 11,159
    Very NICE! Congrats.

    Comes with a remote too. B)
    Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them.
  • verb
    verb Posts: 10,176
    Got yourself some eye candy there! Can’t wait to read about your impressions. Congrats!
    Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
    Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
    Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
    Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
    Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
    Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD.
  • motorstereo
    motorstereo Posts: 2,142
    Cool looking amp comgrats to you.
    Mcintosh and Polk is a combination I'm very fond of and I'm betting you'll be pleased with the sound.
  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,200
    DSkip wrote: »
    I hope it knocks your socks off man. It's a beautiful piece.
    I think that can happen without even turning it on LOL.
    Congrats sweet amp man.

    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
  • Clipdat
    Clipdat Posts: 12,949
    Looking forward to photos.
  • Milito
    Milito Posts: 1,960
    Congrats, very nice!
    Yamaha RX-A2070, Musical Fidelity M6si integrated amp, Benchmark Dac1, Bluesound NODE 2i, Audiolab 6000CDT CD Transport, Parasound Zphono USB Phono Preamp, Fluance RT85, Ortofon 2M Bronze, Polk L600's, L400, L900's, RC80i's, SVS 3000 Micro, Audioquest Interconnects and Digital Cables, Nordost Silver Shadow Digital Cable, Cullen Gold and Crossover Series Power Cables, Douglas Connection Alpha 12AWG OCC Speaker Cables, Douglas Connection Alpha Analog Interconnect Cables, Douglas Connection Alpha 11 OCC Custom Power Cable, Signal Power Cable, Furman PL-8C 15 Power Conditioner, Sony 65" 900F, Sony UBP-X700, Fios, Apple TV 4K, Audioquest Chocolate HDMI Cables.
  • schwarcw
    schwarcw Posts: 7,338
    Congrats Mark! It's been a while since I've been to Butch's place. Did you pick up your amp yet?
    Carl

  • schwarcw wrote: »
    Congrats Mark! It's been a while since I've been to Butch's place. Did you pick up your amp yet?

    No, didn't pick it up yet. I was hoping to drive back yesterday to pick it up. But Butch called earlier in the week and said they were back ordered at the factory. He was told it would be another couple of weeks or so before it would ship. Waiting is SO hard! lol
    McIntosh MA252 Integrated Amp, LUMIN D2 Network Music Player, Yamaha Aventage RX-A840 receiver, Emotiva XPA Gen3 2 channel amp, Polk LSiM 703 speakers. Oppo UDP-203 Blu-Ray player, Polk LSiM 705 speakers. Polk Signature S20 speakers.
  • miner
    miner Posts: 1,305
    Part of the fun is waiting patiently - like the third date.
    [
  • scubalab
    scubalab Posts: 3,103
    Congrats on the purchase Mark! Looking forward to your impressions when you finally get it. You still in PA or did you make the permanent move to CO? Hope all is well with you!

    -Al
  • scubalab wrote: »
    Congrats on the purchase Mark! Looking forward to your impressions when you finally get it. You still in PA or did you make the permanent move to CO? Hope all is well with you!

    -Al

    Hi Al. We’re still in PA. The permanent move will be sometime late next spring through late summer. Just taking care of a few loose ends here in PA for a few months before we permanently head west. I hope you and all of yours are all doing well.
    McIntosh MA252 Integrated Amp, LUMIN D2 Network Music Player, Yamaha Aventage RX-A840 receiver, Emotiva XPA Gen3 2 channel amp, Polk LSiM 703 speakers. Oppo UDP-203 Blu-Ray player, Polk LSiM 705 speakers. Polk Signature S20 speakers.
  • tophatjohnny
    tophatjohnny Posts: 4,182
    Congrats. Does look beautiful.
    "if it's not fun, it's not worth it & remember folks, "It's All About The Music"!!
    *****************************
  • There's a McIntosh in the house! And I know what you are going to say. :D Those speakers are too close together! I agree. But this is just a temporary set up. Half my gear is at our house in Colorado that we will be moving to in a matter of months and half is still here in PA. So this is the best I can do here in PA at the present time.


    So far I have only listened to a Norah Jones SACD played through my Oppo 203. It sounded awesome to my ancient ears! lol I'm working with @Dskip to get a Network Player and will stream Tidal lossless audio to the Mac once I have that piece of gear.

    88953h7xo4ni.jpg

    167mnzeshboe.jpg
    McIntosh MA252 Integrated Amp, LUMIN D2 Network Music Player, Yamaha Aventage RX-A840 receiver, Emotiva XPA Gen3 2 channel amp, Polk LSiM 703 speakers. Oppo UDP-203 Blu-Ray player, Polk LSiM 705 speakers. Polk Signature S20 speakers.
  • verb
    verb Posts: 10,176
    Man that is sweet! Congrats!
    Basement: Polk SDA SRS 1.2tl's, Cary SLP-05 Pre with ultimate upgrade,McIntosh MCD301 CD/SACD player, Northstar Designs Excelsio DAC, Cambridge 851N streamer, McIntosh MC300 Amp, Silnote Morpheus Ref2, Series2 Digital Cables, Silnote Morpheus Ref2 Series2 XLR's, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Pangea Power Cables, MIT Shotgun S3 IC's, MIT Shotgun S1 Bi-Wire speaker cables
    Office: PC, EAR Acute CD Player, EAR 834L Pre, Northstar Designs Intenso DAC, Antique Sound Labs AV8 Monoblocks, Denon UDR-F10 Cassette, Acoustic Technologies Classic FR Speakers, SVS SB12 Plus sub, MIT AVt2 speaker cables, IFI Purifier2, AQ Cinnamon USB cable, Groneberg Quatro Reference IC's
    Spare Room: Dayens Ampino Integrated Amp, Tjoeb 99 tube CD player (modified Marantz CD-38), Analysis Plus Oval 9's, Zu Jumpers, AudioEngine B1 Streamer, Klipsch RB-61 v2, SVS PB1000 sub, Blue Jeans RCA IC's, Shunyata Hydra 8 Power Conditioner
    Living Room: Peachtree Nova Integrated, Cambridge CXN v2 Streamer, Rotel RCD-1072 CD player, Furman 15PFi Power Conditioner, Polk RT265 In Wall Speakers, Polk DSW Pro 660wi sub
    Garage #1: Cambridge Audio 640A Integrated Amp, Project Box-E BT Streamer, Polk Tsi200 Bookies, Douglas Speaker Cables, Shunyata Power Conditioner
    Garage #2: Cambridge Audio EVO150 Integrated Amplifier, Polk L200's, Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 Speaker Cables, IC's TBD.
  • vcwatkins
    vcwatkins Posts: 1,993
    Beautiful. Grats!
    b]Beach Audio[/b]: Rega RP6 (mods) - AT33PTG/II - Parks Budgie SUT - PSAudio NPC * Eversolo DMP-A6 * Topping D90iii * Joule-Electra LA-100 mkIII * Pass Aleph 30 * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 2.3tl (mods) * PSAudio PPP3
    Beach Study: Pro-Ject Stream Box S2 Ultra & Pre Box S2 * Pass ACA * DH Labs SS Q10 * Brines Folded ML-TQWT RS 40-1354 * PSA Dectet
    Beach Master: WiiM Pro * Dayens Menuetto * Zu Libtec * Dynaudio Audience 50
    Beach Den: Bluesound Powernode 2i * DH Labs SS Q10 * Zu Omen DWII * Richard Gray RGPC
    Town Study: WiiM Pro * Chord Qute (Pardo) * Elekit TU-8600 * MIT S3 * Revel M22 * Beyer DT-990 * Shunyata Hydra 2
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    Town Porch: WiiM Pro Plus * Sunfire Sig II * Canare 4S11 * Magnepan 1.6 * Dectet
  • SIHAB
    SIHAB Posts: 4,958
    Nice setup!
    Hope you dig it. B)
    Speakers: Polk Lsim, ATC SCM19 v2, NHT SuperzeroSpeaker Cables: DH Labs, Transparent, Wireworld, Canare, Monster: Beer budget, Bose ears
  • DSkip wrote: »
    The amp may be nice, but man, look at those speakers!

    I know what you mean! I bought them off of a guy that has a high end audio shop in the Arlington, TX area. He's been good at getting me back on track after I go off on a tangent sometimes! :D
    McIntosh MA252 Integrated Amp, LUMIN D2 Network Music Player, Yamaha Aventage RX-A840 receiver, Emotiva XPA Gen3 2 channel amp, Polk LSiM 703 speakers. Oppo UDP-203 Blu-Ray player, Polk LSiM 705 speakers. Polk Signature S20 speakers.
  • joecoulson
    joecoulson Posts: 4,943
    Beautiful gear. Congrats
  • Nice set up, love that amp.
    Living Room
    Parasound HINT 6, Yamaha Aventage RX-A 1060, Oppo 103D, Cambridge Audio Azur 851N, KLH Model 5s, Polk CSi A6, Samsung 65" LED

    Office
    Yamaha A-S501, Auralic Aries Mini, LSiM 703s

    Douglas Connection ICs and Cables
  • mpitogo
    mpitogo Posts: 504
    edited November 2018
    Very nice! I’m a huge fan of the Polk and McIntosh combo. I know of at least one other here who also agrees. I dabble in a bit of the same with an LSi25 with an MA5200 and an LSiM 707 with a C47/MC452.

    I previously had the LSiM 707 powered by a Rotel RB-1590 but swapped it for a McIntosh MC452, no comparison, hands down the Mac is so much better. The RB-1590 was not struggling, it’s no slouch in the power dept but there was just something in the McIntosh presentation that made songs like Kim Petras’ TRANSylvania play with authority yet smooth and non fatiguing.

    Those two companies could have been sisters, at one point McIntosh was owned by D&M Holdings but later sold McIntosh to Fine Sounds and recently Sound United parent of Polk acquires D+M Group (formerly D&M Holdings former owner of McIntosh).
    • Living Room Music-2.1 Polk Legend L800 | SVS SB1000Pro | McIntosh C70 | McIntosh MA5200 (Treble) | McIntosh MC452 (Bass) | Sublimeacoustic K231 Active xover | Denon DP-2500A | Denafrips Ares II | Marantz HD-CD1 | Belkin Soundform Connect | iPad Pro USB to DAC
    • Home Theater-9.7.6/15.1 (Atmos/Auro-3D) Polk LSiM707, LSiM706c, LSiM702 F/X [x6], Height LSiM703 [x6], HSU ULS-15Mk2x4, VTF-15HMk2x2, VTF-TN1 | Trinnov Altitude 16+4 (2024) | Rotel RB-1590 (L/R) | Appollon NC500 11ch | Martin Logan MP500x2 | Topping DX7s, E50 | AppleTV 4K | Zidoo Z9X | JVC RS2100 | 150” Elite Screen Acoustic Pro UHD
    • Game Room-5.1 Polk LSi25, LSiC, LSiF/X | Marantz SR7009 | AppleTV 4K | Sony UBP-X800 | Xbox One S | Sony PS2, PS3 | Nintendo Wii | Gaming PC | Sony 75" LCD
    • Master Bedroom Music-2.0 Totem Hawk | Marantz PM-10 | Marantz SA-10 | SONY PS-HX500
    • Office-2.1 B&W Formation Duo and Bass
    • Orphans Ascend Acoustics Sierra LX | DSW microPRO3000x2 | Rotel RA-1570 | Marantz AV8805A
    • Daughter's Bedroom 1-2.0 TBD Martin Logan Forte | Roku TV
    • Guest Room 2-2.0 Klipsch RP-600M | SMSL DO100 Pro 2 | Pass ACA v1.6 Monoblocks
    • Guest Room 3-3.0 Martin Logan Motion 40, 50XT | Onkyo TX-SR705 | Apple TV | Samsung 55" TV
    • Guest Room 4-2.0 QAcoustics 3030i | Sansui AU-6900 | Sansui FR-1080 | Fire TV
    • Maintenance: Pro-Ject VC-S Record Cleaning Machine
  • mpitogo wrote: »
    Very nice! I’m a huge fan of the Polk and McIntosh combo. I know of at least one other here who also agrees. I dabble in a bit of the same with an LSi25 with an MA5200 and an LSiM 707 with a C47/MC452.

    I previously had the LSiM 707 powered by a Rotel RB-1590 but swapped it for a McIntosh MC452, no comparison, hands down the Mac is so much better. The RB-1590 was not struggling, it’s no slouch in the power dept but there was just something in the McIntosh presentation that made songs like Kim Petras’ TRANSylvania play with authority yet smooth and non fatiguing.

    Those two companies could have been sisters, at one point McIntosh was owned by D&M Holdings but later sold McIntosh to Fine Sounds and recently Sound United parent of Polk acquires D+M Group (formerly D&M Holdings former owner of McIntosh).

    Very interesting. Thanks for sharing your experience and the company info.

    McIntosh MA252 Integrated Amp, LUMIN D2 Network Music Player, Yamaha Aventage RX-A840 receiver, Emotiva XPA Gen3 2 channel amp, Polk LSiM 703 speakers. Oppo UDP-203 Blu-Ray player, Polk LSiM 705 speakers. Polk Signature S20 speakers.
  • miner
    miner Posts: 1,305
    Didn't Sound United acquire Classe'?
    [