Upgrade to McIntosh


Hello everyone,

I am looking to upgrade my hi-fi sytem.I demod MC 275 recently and loved the tuby,warm house sound of Mcintosh.

I will be pairing them with Sonus Faber Olympica 1.

I am torn between MA352 integrated and MC275+C8 separates. The latter is obviously more costly but I am willing to go for it if there are advantages.

How would the sound differ? What would be the most notable distinction between the two system in your opinion?

Thanks in advance

I have the 352 running through some A4’s, and an MT5 with a clear audio charisma v2 cart, it sounds incredible and looks amazing. 

@icehawks18  I heard the A4s. They are pleasing speakers.I think the room size/speaker choice is crucial in achieving an optimum sound. I am trying to pair bookshelves with a good sub which takes a lot of trial. Some brands integrate better. REL,SVS micro 3000,Rythmik F12SE... Still hard to make a choice.

How is the low end response with the MA352? Since its SS on the output, I guess youa re satisfied with the bass?

 

@femoore12 I have my reservations about the internal DAC2 installation. You see the DACs keep improving so do the connection types that come with them. Is it really worth the extra $1000 McIntosh internal DAC2 rather than trying out different external DACs giving you more freedom and opportunities.That is a dilemma.

All tubes here. I have the MC275 VI paired up with a C2300. Listen to it most everyday in my office. I added a RME DAC so I could hook up my streamer. I have a 10x10 room and while I don't listen at reference levels (more in the 70-80dB range ), the MC275 has plenty of power and low end for my Paradigm Studio 20V5s. Whatever you pair with the MC275, the MC275 will not be the weakest link in the chain and is an amp you can keep and enjoy for years. 

@wolfgangamadeusaudiophiliac I haven't compared that DA2 module to other higher end (above $1000) DACs. I've only owned a couple of the Schiit Audio DACs (Modi and Modius) and the module in the C2700 is certainly better. 

This will certainly be a personal choice and I do understand the dilemma. McIntosh does sell the C22 tube preamp without a DAC if a McIntosh tube preamp is your interest. Then you are not tied to a built in if you want to try out others. I might eventually switch to another DAC, but the DA2 was a big improvement for me over what I currently owned.