2. amps-preamps
  3. 175809-166561

Best upgrade: amp or pre-amp?

Of course, it depends...

So here is my setup:

  • Amp: McIntosh MC7100
  • Pre-amp: McIntosh C712
  • Others: Focal Sopra 1 and Bluesound Node

I was thinking to upgrade to an integrated (McIntosh, Hegel or Pass Labs are on top of my list), but I might decide to go for the long game: get the best amp/pre-amp for the same budget as the integrated (max 10k CAD) and update the other half later, in 5 years-ish..

So I'm open to suggestion! But remember a suggested a pre-amp, must match the MC7100 and an amp must match the C712 as I plan you have them together for a little while.

Thanks for the hive mind. I realize this is a tricky question!

papyneau

Showing 3 responses by overthemoon

overthemoon
402 posts
 

My initial impression is first step if preamp or amp is the amp.  And depending on your budget there are some excellent integrated amps

The second thought I have is if you can listen to different manufacturers.  All pieces are slightly different.  I've owned and love McIntosh.  I also appreciate other brands both SS and tubes. 

overthemoon
402 posts
 

@papyneau If you are in Quebec.  I highly suggest you include Moon by Simaudio in your comparison.  

I have owned Mc amplification and when it was time to get more power I compared McIntosh & Moon - I was comparing MC 462 to Moon 330A.

I went with Moon because I thought the sound was more dynamic and detail presentation was better. 

overthemoon
402 posts
 

@papyneau I think you will notice a ’change’ regardless of your decision to go to components or an integrated because you will be acquiring ’newer’ gear. McIntosh doesn’t make it anymore and they have (and will) continue to evolve their products.

Also I’m not suggesting ’change is good or bad’ - it is just different.

Manufacturers will have different sounds - McIntosh, Pass Labs, Hegel, Luxman and so on.

The difference is personal taste - I have a friend who has Magnapan speakers and I have Sonus fabers - very different sounding. And I enjoy listening to music and having a beverage with him in either place. He played Phantom of the Opera - I never heard it before and it’s presentation was so good.

There’s a few things to note about some manufacturers products.

  • McIntosh makes very full featured integrated amps (DAC, phono stage) versus Pass Labs
  • Pre-amp is a source item in my experience. Brand matching isn’t a requirement. During my upgrade journey I’ve upgraded preamp twice with the amp following a few months later. (once using a NAD integrated as the amp and another time using McIntosh MC302 as the amp) and experienced an improvement in the sound from the preamp alone.
  • Finally, I am wondering personally how much our experience in audio impacts our tastes and desires when upgrading - it’s why I am encourage you to listen to the units you are interested as well as some things you aren’t interested or just curious about. Why I say this - when I bought my NAD system is was a drastic improvement for me. I upgraded to McIntosh buying demo gear in the beginning of 2020 and the sound was awesome and wonderful. 

Lastly, when I was looking to upgrade based on wanting more power - I listened to a lot of manufacturers - ARC, Boulder, Linn, Luxman, Moon, McIntosh, Rega and Rogue.  It wasn't that I was thinking about buying them all - it was about learning about different philosophies in reproduction.  For me, it was a 3 manufacturer race for me ARC, McIntosh and Moon. And in reality, I love the sound of ARC but I'm not sure I want the hassle of tube maintenance or the space required for a separate phono stage.  Again these are my experiences with biases and personal constraints.

Enjoy the journey and let us know what you decided and how it turns out.

More to discover