Are Mcintosh solid state amps good performers? I know alot of "hifiers" wanting or needing tube amps will go with Macs, but do their solid state amps also have that coveted status?
Are Mcintosh solid state amps good performers? I know alot of "hifiers" wanting or needing tube amps will go with Macs, but do their solid state amps also have that coveted status?
Absolutely. They are over built! Most sell for more now than they did originaly!
Mine is absolutely the best sounding amp I've ever owned. That being said, I made kind of a big jump from mid-fi (at best) integrateds and receivers to the McIntosh without much in between, so depending on what you're used to, YMMV.
I'm auditioning a Mac MC2200, 200wpc vintage solid state. So far so good, but it has an input sensitivity switch on the back, one position 2.50 the other .75. I will have to assume this has to do with the preamps main output. I have it at the 2.50 setting as I believe I read in the Crown (SL2 preamp) online vintage spec sheets that this is what the SL2 expects to see. Any thoughts from those who know? I'd flip it between the two but its hard to get at the way I got the stuff stacked.
WELL, interesting audition results: I'm hearing very slight short duration "pops", almost to where I think its my imagination or maybe something on a shelf rattling. And a little later it seems like the output is diminishing, but I'm playing at a pretty low level, so again I dismiss it. So when I want to change cd and approach the stereo (my temporary setup has the spkrs close to the rack) I now realize the left channel is very weak. I turn the preamp balance to left only and apply more volume and the speaker cuts in and out while only playing when I pour too much volume. Switched the speaker hook ups and the problem stays on the left channel. The preamp has a stereo reverse so I use it and the problem stays left. Put the tuner on and do the same routine to have the left channel still screwed up. Whats goin' on (or off)
You won't be able to sat one way or the other until you swap out the preamp. I have a Mcintosh amp that I just got. I hooked it up to a preamp I had sitting around a C2 Yamaha. I had a similiar situation. I then put in the Adcom and no problem. You'll just have to try another preamp unless you know that preamp had no problems. Also set your sensitivity to the lowest setting. Shoot some contact cleaner on both pots and rotate it back and forth briskly then give it a go.
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