I own preamps from Conrad Johnson, Modwright, McIntosh, Dynaco, and have owned Audio Research, etc.
Many years ago I owned mint McIntosh gear in their walnut cabinets, a C22, MR67 and MC240, purchased from the original owner. The tubes were all checked and I compared them to my Dynaco PAS3x and Mark 3 power amps (tube). The Mc gear did have less air and acoustic space than the Dynaco gear and I eventually sold it. The McIntosh value has escalated dramatically and the Dynaco gear is still at about the same value that I bought it for. In hindsight, I of course wish I had kept the McIntosh gear. As I repair and maintain my gear as a hobby, I can assure you both stereos were in top working condition.
My more recent McIntosh gear is actually pretty good and feature rich. It can take a lot of inputs, control tone, and works well. My Modwright preamp has more detail and air but poor recordings really sound poor on it and the McIntosh, for what ever reason, is far more forgiving of average recordings. If you sit and listen to the music, the Mc gear is great and you are simply not aware of the gear. This is very true with classical or jazz recording. If you enjoy sitting and criticizing the music go with Modwright as you will hear every thing that is good or bad in the recording. Be aware that this can drive you nuts. In closing my favorite preamps are the Conrad Johnson preamps. Decades ago they removed all electrolytic from the power supply and signal path and they produce incredible detail, a broad and deep sound stage with no drama or harshness.
Many years ago I owned mint McIntosh gear in their walnut cabinets, a C22, MR67 and MC240, purchased from the original owner. The tubes were all checked and I compared them to my Dynaco PAS3x and Mark 3 power amps (tube). The Mc gear did have less air and acoustic space than the Dynaco gear and I eventually sold it. The McIntosh value has escalated dramatically and the Dynaco gear is still at about the same value that I bought it for. In hindsight, I of course wish I had kept the McIntosh gear. As I repair and maintain my gear as a hobby, I can assure you both stereos were in top working condition.
My more recent McIntosh gear is actually pretty good and feature rich. It can take a lot of inputs, control tone, and works well. My Modwright preamp has more detail and air but poor recordings really sound poor on it and the McIntosh, for what ever reason, is far more forgiving of average recordings. If you sit and listen to the music, the Mc gear is great and you are simply not aware of the gear. This is very true with classical or jazz recording. If you enjoy sitting and criticizing the music go with Modwright as you will hear every thing that is good or bad in the recording. Be aware that this can drive you nuts. In closing my favorite preamps are the Conrad Johnson preamps. Decades ago they removed all electrolytic from the power supply and signal path and they produce incredible detail, a broad and deep sound stage with no drama or harshness.