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Need help with first Mcintosh for turntable

Hey all,

Long time reader, first time question poster...
I need your assitance organizing my thoughts.

I decided to extend my digital rig with a turntable. I recently acquired technics 1210MK2, and I want to connect it to my setup.

Currently, I am using the Peachtree decco2 which is connected to my computer, and I am using it as an integrated. the Decoo2 doesn't have a phono stage, so my first thought was to buy a phono preamp, and connect to it.

As I was thinking about it, I thought that this might be my opporutnity to go vintage (we are talking turntable), so why not look at old integrated equipment.

I am currently researching few optiosn: Marantz, Fisher 500c, but high on my list has always been a Mcintosh.

What are your thoughts? Can I buy a Mcintosh 6200, connect my decco to it as a preamp (for digital sources) and the phono to it for the turntable?

Since I only have 1 pair of speakers at the moment, i thought that this might be the easiest option. Would that be my best option at ~$1,000?

Looking forward to hearing your toughts...
tk1212
tk1212 OP
6 posts
 
Any one can help me out here? Any idea what's likely to deliver better results?

1. 1200mk2 -> Vintage receiver (Marantz 2270 / Sansui 9090 / Mcintosh 6200 / mcintosh 4100)

2. 1200mk2 -> Bugle / Cambrige -> peachtree integrated dac/amp

3. 1200mk2 -> used preamp with great phono stage -> peachtree integrated.

For a lack of better terms, I am looking for a "romantic", sweet turntable sound.
nick_sr
263 posts
 
I can't speak to the benefits or characteristics of vintage sound but if your are looking for "Romance" then you probably should be looking into tubed phono pre-amp, so option 3. I am using an ARC sp16 with great results.
tk1212 OP
6 posts
 
Thanks Nick_sr for the help.

I think that you are right, and that a good tube preamp might be my best route.
The decco is 40W RMS, and given the size of the room, and the fact that I live in an apartment, it might be strong enough to satisfy my volume.

I am just trying to confirm that a good tube pre-amp with phono stage would yield a suprior audio experience when compared to an old receiver/integrated.
I don't want to spend $1,000 on a used pre, only to later discover that a vintage receiver/integraded amp would have sounded better.

As far as I am concerned the benefits of investing in a good pre are:

1. It would take less space.
2. it will integrate with my exisiting setup most naturaly.
3. If I'll need more power, i can always invest in the future in a seperate amp, and keep using the preamp with that.
4. I am spending my money on the only peice that I'm really missing - phono preamp.
5. I'll be able to "delete" this component from my future "upgrade" list, and focus next on better AMP/Speakers/Cartridge.

Any suggestions what I should keep my eyes on?
I heard that the EAR834P, Arc, Dynaco, mcintosh tube preamps.

Should I expect the above preamps to yield better phono stage compared with the one that is already part of a vintage receiver/integrated (Marantz / Fisher / Mcintosh 1900 / 4100 / 6200)? Any other suggestions. I am planning on buying used.
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