The turntable is a VPI extended Aries which I have owned since the end of 2001. I have a new Dynavector cartridge . I just got the new amplifiers a few days ago. I had to move the turntable back up on the cabinet and get rid of the turntable stand to make room for the new mono block amplifiers. This is a major upgrade from my older MC 402 stereo amplifier. Most of this equipment was purchased within the last six months, including the speakers. They are Focal maestro utopias. The Martin Logan speakers you see in this photo were moved to a different room.
The McIntosh equipment includes C12000 preamp, MCD12000 SACD player, MC1.25 amps, an EAR834p phono preamp, and a McIntosh Bluetooth receiver which is ok, but not great. This will be replaced with a good streaming device. The speakers are Focal maestro utopias.
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Thanks for the post. You sent me down a lovely journey down memory lane!
Back in the 70s I had the privilege of working for a McIntosh retailer while I was going to University . A trip down to Binghamton from Ottawa to see their facility and meet Gordon Gow is still one of my audiophile highlights!
Their philosophy and equipment at that time was in so many ways ahead of its time. You wouldn't believe how forward thinking they were, to far ahead as it turned out. Still while their tube products were respected the solid state was never an audiophile favourite. It was and still is a rock solid and dependable product and after all these years it is still around! How many of the bright and shiny products of today will have the same longevity.
Recently a friend who dabbles in reselling had a McIntosh tube power amp come through and he put it in his system. It sounded great! There is still some magic there in the right system.
Back in the 70s I had the privilege of working for a McIntosh retailer while I was going to University . A trip down to Binghamton from Ottawa to see their facility and meet Gordon Gow is still one of my audiophile highlights!
Their philosophy and equipment at that time was in so many ways ahead of its time. You wouldn't believe how forward thinking they were, to far ahead as it turned out. Still while their tube products were respected the solid state was never an audiophile favourite. It was and still is a rock solid and dependable product and after all these years it is still around! How many of the bright and shiny products of today will have the same longevity.
Recently a friend who dabbles in reselling had a McIntosh tube power amp come through and he put it in his system. It sounded great! There is still some magic there in the right system.
No thanks to tube amps. I’ve done it before and never again will I have that. My new mono locks are a huge improvement over my older stereo amp.
Glad you are enjoying the mono blocks!
Obviously you have had a bad experience with tubes. Sorry to hear that, I have had a few hiccups with tube reliability but I do like the sound that tubes can offer.
Solid state is usually more robust and McIntosh is know for its reliability and serviceability should the unexpected happen.
I had Jadis ja200 monoblocks and they sounded great, but very unstable. Preamp tubes are fine. Also the bass is softer on a tube amp. I want deep powerful focused bass, not the muddier base you get with a tube amp
Republicoftexas69
Well-Known Member
evidently he is no longer a member (under that name anyway).
Republicoftexas69
Well-Known Member
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