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Speakers to mate with Mac MC402 under $5k

I am in the process of wrapping up a renovation of space for dedicated HT/2 ch listenning. The room is 13.5' x 25'. We will be sitting facing the 13.5' wall.

Pieces of the 2 channel system I own and want to keep are a Naim CDX cd player and the MC402 amp. I have an order in for a Supratek Chardonnay to try out, but am open to other preamps also. Need to be tubed with HT bypass and a remote.

My current speakers are Dynaudio Audience 80's and home made Wilson CUB clones (Proteus) that I am looking to upgrade. I've had B&W 801s3's and 802N's in the past, but am not a big fan of the B&W sound.

Local dealers seem to only have B&W, Aerial, Dynaudio, Avalon, limited Revel, Dali, and Harbeth. Preference is for used to get the best value for my $$. The dealer who sells Mac has them paired with the Aerial 8b's and 9's, but I was not overly impressed.

Any help on what mates well with this amp is appreciated.

THX.
Frank
fpv
aball
2,018 posts
 
Great choice of amp. My suggestion would be to get an active preamp for it - Mc amps don't do well with passive pres in my experience (input sensitivity is a high 2.5V). McIntosh amps are magical when mated to a McIntosh preamp. The C2200 and C46 are both excellent.

For speakers, I find McIntosh to have special synergy with JM Lab speakers. For $5000 (I assume used), the Mezzo Utopia, 937 Be, or the Diva Utopia Be (provided your room is large) would all be excellent choices. McIntoshes can handle analytical and detail-oriented speakers very well - but do poorly with "soft" speakers, IMHO.

I have auditioned McIntosh with Naim sources before and really like the combo. I have thought about getting a Naim cdp for my Mcs in the past. Arthur
dsremer
210 posts
 
I currently have a mac 202 which works very with Tyler Acoustics Linbrook sig moniters, I would suggest his linbrook sig system for your room.
klipschfan
176 posts
 
Klipsch Heritage models sound great with McIntosh.
jaybo
4,478 posts
 
made-in-heaven would be your system with a mac2200 tube pre....check out the gradient revolutions/castle howards/totem forests.....all well under 5k...all great with mac from top to bottom
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,504 posts
 
Aball is right - get a good active pre for the Mac. Yes, great choice for an amp as the Mac 402 is the finest amp I have ever heard/owned.

I drove Dali Grand speakers and the sound was glorious! Go for Dali Hel 400's or 800's!

Bill
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