Mcintosh C220 vs CJ ET-2

Don't you have to use the balanced ins on the Monarchy amps for them to run in mono?

Thanks everyone for your responses. Ironically, this dealer was both a McIntosh as well as a Conrad Johnson dealer. He did say that it was "easier" for him to get a Conrad Johnson. He also said that the phono stage on the C220 was very basic and that the CJ provides more options.

The Monarchy amps are single ended (SE-100) the SE stands for single ended, so it actually does not need balanced input. I do not know if they need it to run in mono....

Give the dealer a break, there are many audiophiles that feel that Mcintosh products are good but not leading the field in terms of ultimate transparency.

If you look at the ET 2 parts quality and design topology it is an impressive piece of hardware. CJ feels that balanced circuits cost more and complicate the design with very little real improvement for home environments.

Also the CJ is a purist design without any embellishments which are usually found in a Mcintosh design.

Personally I would take a CJ any day of the week over a Mcintosh, I would take a CJ, BAt, or Audio Research tube amp over a Mcintosh tube amp, and I would take a Balanced Audio, or Mark Levinson solid state amplifier over a Mcintosh.

If you look at the design topology of most solid state amplifiers they are direct coupled designs, where most Mcintosh amplifiers use an auto transformer which gives the amplifier the ability to easily push power into any load however an auto transformer is not necessary if you use a big enough power supply. The upshot much a direct coupled amplifier has much greater clarity.

Audiofreakgeek: Interesting statements. At the $3.5-$4k price point, in your opinion how does the Mc 275 compare to CJ, BAT, and Audio Research? Not much embellishment going on for the 275.

I did read somewhere the LS26 sounded much better in someone's system than a C220 he had, but then again synergy is important. C220+MC275 is a very nice combo. Likely the LS26 + an Audio Research amp would also be better than combining pre and amp from these two different brands. Then taste is also important.

Now which of these preamps sounds better with your Monarchy amp is just a guess on everybody's part unless they have tried it. Can you ask your dealer for an in-home audition of the two products you are considering??

Enjoy the search!

I am an audiophile (at least that is what my wife says as she looks at the Big Rig)--and I use a Mac c2300 and MC 501 mono power amps. I am neither a doctor nor a lawyer (that is what your dealer may be referring to--mac was branded many years ago as hi-fi gear that only people in those professions could afford and thus was not audiophile grade but more "look what I can afford" gear).