McIntosh MA 6100 Preamp/Amp question?

I've had a 6100 for the past 15 yrs. and though I have other Mac amps and preamps as well as a couple of other brands of tube preamps (NICE ones!) I can tell you the preamp section of the 6100 is GOOD and believe it or not,what I'm currently using with an MC2200 power amp. It's sooooooo smooth. If you have efficient speakers use the whole unit; Unclejeff is right...the unit IS matched and very sweet sounding when used as it was intended. Be careful with your choice of cables when connecting the preamp and power amp or better yet,contact McIntosh and get a pair of the original plug-in connectors.

The above response is right on target. While the two units were made to worke together and might be 'matched', you can bypass either one with no ill effects.

Hi, when you remove the jumpers you are essentialy disconnecting the preamp from the power amp on this unit. In this scenario you can now use the preamp outs of this unit on another external power amp. Or you can use the power amp ins with a different external preamp. As far as which section is better, the preamp or power amp section you would have to experiment. My guess having owned previous MAC gear, is I like their power amps better than their preamps. Try different brand of preamps.