Downsize from C2200/MC275 to integrated SS

@glennewdick 

I am sure you are right about the sound quality.

I am not spending one Euro on McIntosh again, due to the local distributor.

When a young nephew of mine broke the C2200 front glass fascia by mistake , the distributor would not fix it because I had bought it used from abroad instead from him.

He would not even sell me the parts.

 I complained to McIntosh HQ in the USA, and they told me that I had to figure it all out with the local distributor.

I contacted McIntosh distributors in other European countries seeking help with the replacement part, and they refused to supply it due to the manufacturer’s policy not allowing them to sell into another distributor’s sales area.

A distributor outside Europe finally agreed to sell me the replacement part without letting McIntosh know.

It took me months to get my preamp fixed.

No more McIntosh for me, thank you.

Sorry to hear you had such a rotten experience with your McIntosh dealer.  I don’t think that’s the general experience but it was yours so I don’t blame you for wanting to look elsewhere.

@jastralfu 

This is the official importer of McIntosh in my country,  not just any dealer I could go around on.

I am an advocate of free trade, I resent protectionist policies which lead to monopolies, as such I am not spending one more Euro on said manufacturer.

@pzero5  Not really.  I was using Harbeth 40.3XDs which had a sensitivity of 85-86db if I remember correctly. My room is 18’x36’x8’ and they played as full and loud as I wanted.  For shits and giggles I upgraded to an Accuphase C-2900 pre-amp and A-80 power amp, but it was overkill and I would have been absolutely content with the E-800.  It is an amazing piece.  And never underestimate the simplicity of a one box solution.  

I too have downsized my system due to several factors including poor room setting and getting older and wanting something smaller.  Due to the living room configuration, I am forced to be seated a mere 6’ from the speakers.  My original system was a McIntosh MC252 amp and C2500 preamp, with Revel F208 speakers.  The system had a lovely full-bodied sound to it, but I could not get the pieces to perform as they should in that open floor plan room.  I traded the pieces in for a McIntosh MSA5500 integrated amp, Paradigm Founders 80 speakers, and picked up an Innuos Pulse streamer.  The new system sounds pretty good, but not of the caliber of the old one, missing that tube sound. But I was aware of the trade off going in. I also wanted to have the dac in the amp capable of providing resolution up to DSD.  While I was at it, I updated my old Linksys 1900 AC wireless router to a TP-Deco 6E Pro mesh system.  This gives me the ability to plug in an ethernet cable to the Pulse since it doesn’t have wireless. Overall, I’m happy with the outcome.  And while I was at it, I updated my power and USB cords.  I hope this will be my last time rebuilding, but one never knows with this hobby!