2. amps-preamps
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McIntosh MC-501s; balanced and unbalanced preamps;

I started an earlier thread on preamps for the Mcintosh MC-402, and then something funny happened on the way to the listening room: I wound up with a set of MC-501s.

So, first of all, I'm just wondering what other MC-501 users have for premaps?

Also, I've read somewhere that the new Mc amps can actually sound or perform better using unbalanced preamp outputs rather than balanced. Looking over the Stereophile review, I suppose one reason for this is gain. Thoughts, comments?
highdudgeon
aball
2,018 posts
 
As a side note to Joe, TAS reviewers thought the phono stage in the C2200 was not nearly as good as the one in the C46.
onemug
784 posts
 
The direction I would head would be toward a C200. Your 501's are completely balanced and so is the 200, so with xlr's you would have a balanced signal from at least the input of the 200 to the output of the 501. Good luck.
highdudgeon OP
28 posts
 
I've gotten interested in the C-100, which is basically the same as the C-200 minus something to do with home theater (this according to Chuck Hinton) and can be had for around three grand. I've also thought about something along the lines of an ARC LS25.

I've never seen an Aesthetix piece, but I've been interested...
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