Speakers for Mc240
I have not posted for many a long year but have started to get dragged back into this ruinous hobby. I am based in the United Kingdom and have just come into possession of a Mc240 and a MR67 tuner. They are both boxed and have been only owned by 2 people since new, I know one of them, they even have the instructions and the service guarantees unfilled. I have decided to build a system around them. My vinyl front end is sorted so looking for suggestions on preamps and loudspeakers. 90% of my listening is jazz with the rest opera and 70's rock, soul etc. Any suggestions pleased.
Line Preamplifier - Freya+ F. No Forkbeard Now for the speakers your MC240 means you need a speaker with controlled phase/ electrical impedance swings. This is the ideal speaker with easy to drive impedance and voltage demands that fit the McIntosh amp @zola1970. They sound phenomenal too with virtually ever genre |
@zola1970 Based upon personal experience as a MAC amp owner, I would recommend that you do some serious listening to Revel and Sonus Faber. Many reviewers have commented that Sonus Faber and MAC seem to have been made for each other. Depending upon your mix & match, room dimensions & acoustics and budget, I'm relatively certain one of these will have an offering that will sing AND dance together for you. |
I’m a fan of my McIntosh MX110z as a preamp (I only use the line level of the pre as I have a separate phono and MR67) - it was designed for the 240 so synergy is good. Devore Fidelity speakers pair well also pretty much any Klipsch heritage series. You could get some vintage heresy’s and upgrade the crossovers and the tweeters (Crites are drop-ins) and you would have a fabulous sounding system. |
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positive feedback re: vintage McIntosh tube equipment That is why I tried an mx110z tube tuner preamp. After a year I had it overhauled by Audio Classics here in USA. New gold plated RCA jacks my favorite upgrade. a few McIntosh classic tube preamps had tuners, it is a terrific sounding tuner, you will want a dedicated FM antenna (IF you want to use the tuner). If you get a model with a tuner, it allows you to sell the MR67 Tuner (or use it elsewhere), and eliminates a component and pair of interconnects. The McIntosh Mode switch and features are wonderful. https://www.audiogon.com/systems/11422
You say you have phono solved, however when you compare, you might love the MM Phono in the mx110z (it has two), (or other vintage tube preamp). I use a SUT for my MC with PASS for MM so I can continue to use the mx110z's MM RIAA. You may have seen it, I run 3 tonearms into a SUT with 3 inputs, only 1 cable needed out to the mx110z. I just changed 2 of the 3 arms
I add a Chase RLC-1 Remote Line Controller to keep Vintage Tube sound and features, but have remote volume and remote balance to refine the imaging of any track. You need the remote control for the Chase, there are no controls on the unit. I like to keep things minimum, but no one can tell if it is in or out of line, and I am not living without remote volume or remote balance just to satisfy the idea of simple. You can always use it thru an optional tape or processor loop, that's how I use it in this legacy component's system |
Speakers you say, I missed that, I went straight to what preamp. I find 40 wpc not enough for 90 db sensitivity for a main system, so you might get a lot of people recommending Klipsch Horns, Cornwall, ..... however if a secondary, like my office, or never going for big powerful bass, I’m actually quite happy using a small tube luxman SQ-N150 (it delivers beyond it’s 10 wpc/6 ohm rating) to drive a pair of restored AR-2ax which are 90 db, 3 way, 10" woofer, enough that I don’t add a sub. I highly recommend AR-2ax, they have no vents, and actually fit on a bookshelf, and have a pair of level controls to adjust in any listening space. https://www.audiogon.com/systems/10092 In my case, for Phono, the Luxman has built-in Phono, MM or MC, (single 0.33mv/100 ohm setting), So far, I have only used MM in my office. |
for speakers, we need a better idea of the size and use of the space, (and prior speakers you have liked). i.e. small space, my prior office setup was a small pair of Wharfedale 225 speakers with 6.5" driver and a single self-powered sub, just enough from the sub that the small mains (like the Fritz mentioned) didn’t sound small or the amp need to try too hard. Larger space, I would prefer larger speakers, like my change to the AR-2ax, OR, a stereo pair of self-powered subs located near the stand mounted small mains. |
Listening to a hot rod MC240 as i peck out a somewhat informed reply…. i vividly remember it coming in the door in 1965…. I’m currently running some TAD ME-1K with a JL sub but the amp is capable of a lot…you can see it paired w all sorts of speakers from ESL-63, Cornwalls, etc in my virtual systems pages. Since you are UK based, i would get the best NEAT you can afford keeping in mind a well sorted MC240 will typically make 52wpc , or any of the 200 ish mm BBC spec speakers. you also might be shocked how good a NAIM preamp might sound w 240 ( i actually know…vs just reading about it… ditto the 110Z also do not be afraid to use Mullard in the front end of the 240. Do absolutely make sure the filter caps are in good shape… the power transformer is… rare…and near unobtanium…. have fun. enjoy the music |