McIntosh's new Tube Pre-Amplifier!

Posts: 10,176
I guess I'm now on their mailing list. Just got this. Looks exquisite!
f905aae82naz.png
https://www.mcintoshlabs.com/products/preamplifiers/C2700
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.

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Comments

  • Posts: 3,453
    When I was younger I hated the looks of McIntosh gear...too boring and "old" looking. Now, I think they're beautiful. That's a great looking piece.
  • Posts: 10,084
    DSkip wrote: »
    I have five Mac pieces right now and although they aren't hooked up, they sure are pretty to look at.

    Look at Mr. Money Bags over here. ;)
    afterburnt wrote: »
    They didn't speak a word of English, they were from South Carolina.

    Village Idiot of Club Polk
  • Posts: 1,733
    I also received the email. Would love to give one a test drive.
    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
  • Posts: 33,059
    I see one glaring omission. While this is billed as a 2 channel pre amp, they threw in digital processing, but outdated digital processing for HT. Dolby and DTS....SERIOUSLY ?

    Is it trying to be a 2 channel pre, or a HT pre/pro ?
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
  • Posts: 8,121
    kharp1 wrote: »
    When I was younger I hated the looks of McIntosh gear...too boring and "old" looking. Now, I think they're beautiful. That's a great looking piece.

    kinda looks like emotiva on crack lol...definitely not boring!
    Living Room 2.2: Usher BE-718 "tiny dancers"; Dual DIY Dayton audio RSS210HF-4 Subs with Dayton SPA-250 amps; Arcam SA30; Musical Fidelity A308; Sony UBP-x1000es
    Game Room 5.1.4:
    Denon AVR-X4200w; Sony UBP-x700; Definitive Technology Power Monitor 900 mains, CLR-3000 center, StudioMonitor 350 surrounds, ProMonitor 800 atmos x4; Sub - Monoprice Monolith 15in THX Ultra

    Bedroom 2.1
    Harmon Kardon HK3490; Bluesounds Node N130; Polk RT25i; ACI Titan Subwoofer
  • Posts: 34,185
    edited August 2019
    rooftop59 wrote: »

    kinda looks like emotiva on crack lol...definitely not boring!

    Looks like every other Mac made for the last 30 years or so (except the MC275, of course).
    ... with callous, if not laughable, disregard for the actual identity of the component in question.

    fyex5tsl28nx.png
    i1hk1spc0cey.png

    Does a stereo preamp need two big blue meters? :|
    tonyb wrote: »
    I see one glaring omission. While this is billed as a 2 channel pre amp, they threw in digital processing, but outdated digital processing for HT. Dolby and DTS....SERIOUSLY ?

    Is it trying to be a 2 channel pre, or a HT pre/pro ?

    Bringing you Yesterday's Products Tomorrow.

    :/

    kix75yefidy6.png


    Mac jumped the shark a long time ago (IMO, of course, YMMV -- I do get that!)

    :(

  • Posts: 7,242
    I just bought one a few weeks ago. I have been using it in my 2-channel rig and I REFUSE to review it. B)>:)
  • Posts: 10,176
    Viking64 wrote: »
    I just bought one a few weeks ago. I have been using it in my 2-channel rig and I REFUSE to review it. B)>:)

    Pics or it didn't happen! :)
    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.
  • Posts: 3,453
    mhardy6647 wrote: »

    In a word...YES :)
  • Posts: 7,242
    verb wrote: »

    Pics or it didn't happen! :)

    gbqk6mbuatwa.jpg
  • Posts: 2,185
    Does a stereo preamp need two big blue meters? :|


    No sir they don't; Amps don't need em either but behind that half inch thick glass they sure do look nice don't they :)
    d4iwjhx6132b.jpg
  • Posts: 34,185
    edited August 2019
    Does a stereo preamp need two big blue meters? :|


    No sir they don't; Amps don't need em either but behind that half inch thick glass they sure do look nice don't they :)
    d4iwjhx6132b.jpg

    Well, certainly more discreetly understated than, say...


    9wz4zl38y79r.png

    or

    hds6tmo0jffc.png


    or

    63ag5xxm0uwz.png

    :|

    (actually, the Electronluv amplifiers sound pretty good)
  • Posts: 7,242
    verb wrote: »

    Pics or it didn't happen! :)

    You wanna know what didn't happen? MY REVIEW!!!!

    BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
  • Posts: 1,733
    Viking64 wrote: »

    You wanna know what didn't happen? MY REVIEW!!!!

    BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

    Everyone has an opinion about McIntosh. Good bad..... But I would be real interested in yours if you did pick up the pre. Please share.
    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
  • Posts: 15,251
    I have never owned any McIntosh gear, but have read/seen it for decades. While it might sound great, all those freaking lights are just unacceptable for me.
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
  • Posts: 7,242
    edited August 2019
  • Posts: 7,242
    tratliff wrote: »

    Everyone has an opinion about McIntosh. Good bad..... But I would be real interested in yours if you did pick up the pre. Please share.

    It was all a joke in regards to how some members here think that anyone who acquires a new piece of audio gear is obligated to write a review about it.
  • Posts: 1,733
    As stated. Everyone has an opinion...
    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
  • Posts: 2,185
    BlueFox wrote: »
    I have never owned any McIntosh gear, but have read/seen it for decades. While it might sound great, all those freaking lights are just unacceptable for me.

    Comeon now lets be truthful here; it's the entry cost that's unacceptable :) . Surely you realize there is plenty of Mcintosh gear both new and vintage and both tubed and ss that do not have those offensive blue meters. It's also a fact that there's more Mcintosh units without those "freaking lights" than there are with them.
    Imo everyone in this hobby should at one time or another afford themselves the luxury of owning at least one piece of Mac gear during their journey. The only problem with bringing one piece home though is it normally leads to many more.
  • Posts: 34,185
    edited August 2019
    BlueFox wrote: »
    I have never owned any McIntosh gear, but have read/seen it for decades. While it might sound great, all those freaking lights are just unacceptable for me.

    On balance, and to me(!), Mac hardware sounds -- OK. Their products have long had an -- interesting -- house sound that really floats some folks' boats, but leaves others shaking their heads.

    I'd opine that Mac hardware, by and large, does not represent good value in terms of price/performance, although it is a good value for bragging rights (especially on the periphery of the hifi crowd). When I was a lad, MDs almost always had Mac equipment (and they usually drove Cadillacs... 'til they switched to Mercedes). It was just what was "done". (My mother was a nurse, so we knew a lotta MDs in those days)

    They're definitely aiming at an even more upscale, 21st Century "one percent-er" market nowadays, thus the obsessive focus (I would suggest) on the iconic (since the early/mid 1970s) cosmetics.

    The MC-225 was/is a fine amplifier (still one of my favorite "store bought" amps) Their tuners were always pretty good -- and some were great. I do not care for the sound of ss Mac amplifiers or preamps. I have zero experience with their "digital" components, in full disclosure.

    I say all of this as a McIntosh owner (three pieces, one in regular use) -- draw your own conclusions ;)

  • Posts: 5,005
    wnplr7q6958i.jpeg
    Speakers: Polk Lsim, ATC SCM19 v2, NHT SuperzeroSpeaker Cables: DH Labs, Transparent, Wireworld, Canare, Monster: Beer budget, Bose ears
  • Posts: 10,176
    Viking64 wrote: »

    It was all a joke in regards to how some members here think that anyone who acquires a new piece of audio gear is obligated to write a review about it.

    Lord knows I’m in arrears when reviewing my newly acquired gear. I’m still acquiring my audio vernacular, other than it sounds great! Or, I love it! Newbies, I tell ya! :)
    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.
  • Posts: 7,242
    edited August 2019
  • Posts: 7,242
    verb wrote: »
    Lord knows I’m in arrears when reviewing my newly acquired gear. I’m still acquiring my audio vernacular, other than it sounds great! Or, I love it! Newbies, I tell ya! :)

    Here's a list of words you can use in your audio reviews to make yourself sound smart. :p

    1) polite

    2) darkened

    3) serendipitous

    4) verklempt

    5) adorable

    6) muscular

    7) chillax

    8) meatless

    9) insecure

    10) forfeited
  • Posts: 34,185
    edited August 2019
    don't forget jaw dropping.

    My jaw, interestingly, is still firmly affixed to... umm... the rest of my skull.

    Hmm... I wonder if the epidemic of TMJ problems in the US was connected to the rise of the subjective hifi audio publications?

    Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some soundstages to throw, after which I shall literally mop the floor with some less capable audio components.



  • Posts: 1,619
    Yes, yes. Don’t forget to use mellifluous, too. One of HP’s overworked terms.
  • Posts: 34,185
    I like beguiling.

    Altecs and SETs are beguiling.

  • Posts: 7,242
    mhardy6647 wrote: »
    I like beguiling.

    Altecs and SETs are beguiling.

    Those horn-loaded tweeters failed to show repentance.
  • Posts: 34,185
    On the other hand, there are reentrant horns.

    1s2qfjn1zamm.png

    they're unrepentant.
  • Posts: 26,010
    edited August 2019
    Viking64 wrote: »

    Those horn-loaded tweeters failed to show repentance.

    more than a few are repugnant



    verb wrote: »
    Lord knows I’m in arrears when reviewing my newly acquired gear. I’m still acquiring my audio vernacular, other than it sounds great! Or, I love it! Newbies, I tell ya! :)

    Wait let me get this correct...

    You've designed rockets, jet engines and automobiles yet you cannot design words on paper?
    What kind of one trick pony are you?

    :D:D:D

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