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connecting mono amps to pre amp

Newbie here. I'm 56 and this past year and a half, I've  gotten back into 2 channel. Various amps/pre amps and receivers. I would like to know how to properly connect (2) Mcintosh 2120's to a Mcintosh MA 6100. Have several mac pieces as well as others. But seems Mac is kind of like BMW/Mercedes -European cars with the fact of over engineering or over features, for a lack of better words. Can someone shed some light here with regards to the MONO bloc connection on these? Thank You in advance!!

2channeladdicted
2channeladdicted OP
14 posts
 
Thank you all!!! You guys are a plethora of knowledge!  never have had the opportunity to utilize mono application in my younger years,,,,LOL. have a couple of tube amps that I'm using with a mac c26, but using those to bi -amp a set of paradigms so  a little different than trying to do the MONO thing. Thanks again!

almarg's avatar
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
You're welcome, 2channeladdicted.  Just be sure to keep in mind the following statement in the 2120's manual:
Should the MODE SWITCH be left in the STEREO position and the output transformers be strapped for a monophonic load, one channel will attempt to drive the other and cause circulating currents and overheating. Be certain that the MC 2120 is never operated in the stereo mode with the outputs connected for monophonic operations.
Regards,
-- Al
 
2channeladdicted OP
14 posts
 
So it should be placed in the MONO mode that has MONO(L+R)  Correct??

2channeladdicted OP
14 posts
 
The 2120's in MONO switch in back, and the MA 6100 on the front side that has the mode switch and have it switched to MONO (L+R)
almarg's avatar
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
The switch on the rear of the 2120 that selects between stereo and mono should be set to mono, as has been said.

The mode selector switch on the front panel of the 6100 should be set to stereo, assuming you are listening to a stereo recording. Setting it to mono would result in both speakers putting out the same sound, corresponding to the sum of the two channels of the recording. Assuming you are playing a stereo recording, what you want is for the left speaker to play the left channel of the recording and the right speaker to play the right channel of the recording. No damage would result, though, regardless of which of those positions the switch is set to, and regardless of whether a stereo or a mono recording is being played. The result would just be that the sound and the imaging would not be right, if you were to play a stereo recording in mono mode.

If you are playing a mono recording though, it would be preferable to set the mode selector switch on the front panel of the 6100 to mono, although it might not make much difference if you leave it in stereo.

Regards,
-- Al
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