Thoughts on adding a McIntosh C12000 preamp to my AVM90 Home Theater Processor....


I currently use an Anthem AVM90 processor for my 2 channel music as well as my 5.1 Home Theater.  I know some people use a premium 2 channel preamps such as the beautiful McIntosh C1200 for 2 channel audio.  To be honest I'm very happy with the improvement in audio quality when I upgraded my home theater processor from an AVM60 to the AVM90, but I'm considering the C12000 route for music.  

Anyone have experience or thoughts on this - or is it just adding cost/complexity for minimal if any benefit?

Any advice appreciated!

128x128whitesarhara

The C12000 is an Analog Tube/Solid State balanced Preamp, I would connect my Turntable (Technics 1200G), my CD Player (McIntosh MCD12000) to it and connect that directly to my Power Amp MC462 using XLR's.... My Home theater would all connect to the AMV90, and my other digital inputs would connect to that as well, (game system, Roon Nucleus), and the L/R XLR output of the AVM90 would connect to the bypass inputs of the C12000

 

I use the MC462 for the Front L/R, which are Sonus Faber Olymica Nova III's.  The other 3 and the two subs are all powered.  3 x Paradigm Active Reference, and two powered sub's, a Paradigm Servo 15 and a JL audio (can't recall the model)

My opinion is that , with the quality speakers that you have , the sound improvment for your two channels  listening would not be subtil.

Home theater  processors and receivers are not the best for two channels listening.