2. amps-preamps
  3. 1064805490

Where to go from here? upping the tube ante

I have a Macintosh C2200 tube preamp and MC2102 tube amp (KT88). They are fine components and I'm very pleased with them. However, just in the interest of curiosity I'm wondering where one can go from here? In other words, what components would give me more than what I'm getting with the Macintosh pair? (I've upgraded the 12AX7 tubes in the preamp which led to a nice improvement.)

More of what you say! More music! OK, truthly more naturalness and ease. Not more sounding live, because that's not the point here, but having a violin or piano sound more like the real thing. But musicality is key.

I have an Audio Note balanced DAC and adding it to my system was a revelation over my EMC-1. I guess I would say I'd someday like to look forward to the same improvement with the amp/preamp. But, if the Macintosh are hard to beat please state your opinion.

Additional components:
Electrocompaniet EMC-1 UP used as transport
Tannoy D500 speakers
Audience Au24 interconnects and speaker cables
Acoustic Zen MC2 digital cable
Blue Circle Music Ring
BC and Audience power cords

Looking forward to your thoughts. Thanks.
budrew

Showing 1 response by unclejeff

unclejeff
1,313 posts
 
The Tannoy speakers are a great match for your 2102. I own the 2102 and it was a real toss-up between the tannoys and Kef Referance 205s. I finally opted for the Kefs and I am happy. It is interesting what you folks say about the tubes. Perhaps i will try something different just for fun. This will probably happen when it gets time to replace tubes, anyway.

I would not deviate from your McIntosh equipment. It is well matched and more than a few folks around here are probably shaking their heads in envy.
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