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Used McIntosh MX135 or Marantz 8802

Hi All,

First I'd like to Thank everyone for such a great and informative site! Thank You!

I'm looking to upgrade my Preamp/ HT. Currently I'm running a Rotel RSP1068 thru a Parasound Halo A31 (front channels) I have the ceiling mounted rear speakers running thru a Rotel 1070. Front Speakers are B&W 604 S3 and the Center is also a B&W... I also have an old JVC QL5 Record player running thru an old Beta 2 preamp...

The set was a trade for a nice Gibson SG I didn't play... So now I've got the Audio bug and I really am enjoying the sweet music. I listen to mostly music but do watch Movies as well...

I've seen a couple preamps that look promising for the 1000.00 to 1200.00 range...

I'm not worried about having HDMI ports as I currently send the Video signal straight to the TV and it seems just fine... Sound is more important to me...

Any thoughts or suggestions? Speakers would be the next thing on the list... I must say though it sound great to me now but I've not heard a great high-end system so I don't know if it would be a good move?

Any thoughts?

Please and Thanks!!!


toecutter
toecutter OP
4 posts
 
Thank You Yakbob!
I'm leaning towards the MX mostly because of the history but I've not heard one so nice to hear from a happy owner... Thank You for the info and suggestions I really appreciate the food for thought!!!
yakbob
468 posts
 
You're welcome, I'm happy to help.A couple notes on the McIntosh unit. Be sure the seller/shipper  uses the oem boxes and packaging.  The glass face is prone to breakage by carriers. Make sure it's insured and never chuck a McIntosh box in the trash.😁

Also, you'll need to send a video signal to your tv via composite, s-video, or RCA connection strictly for the on screen display menus. I only mention this as newer televisions are mainly equipped with HDMI inputs. It's easy enough to use a converter box if needed.



toecutter OP
4 posts
 
Thank You again Sir! much appreciated and great advise! Cheers!
theo's avatar
theo
2,684 posts
 
I had an MX135 and it was a good piece but doesn’t decode the current DTS and Dolby surround found on Blu-ray. also pretty sure it won’t share the codec with a smart Tv. It really depends  on what your needs are.
i will tell you the new MX122 uses the 8802 as its core processor.
michelzay
114 posts
 
I used MX-135 for a while in my second system (B&W804s).
It has an excellent preamp (with Phono) that could work with any amplifier for surround system or two channel. I was told by a dealer that it uses the same circuitry of Mcintosh c46. I switched to VIVA Linea, and in term of sound quality comparison, VIVA Linea was just 5-10% superior.
As for DTS decoding on blue-ray player, it depends, is it DTS-trueHD which is lossless (and much more expensive) or just DTS-HD as lossy compression. Mx-135 has DTS-ES which could work with most Blueray players.
It has also Dolby digital and Dolby Digital EX which could work fine with most of the blue ray players too.

After all, the built-in quality and choice of internal electronic components of Mcintosh (built in US) is far superior to MArantz product(built in China).
I thought to have sold my MX-135, but buyer pulled out of the deal without paying it. It is still packed in original double boxes.

BTW, better power cord on MX-135, could greatly enhance its capability. I am not saying to use insanely expensive power cords! 

cheers...
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