mcintosh mc402+c46 or mc402+c2200,2300

I have the mc402 and c46. A great pair. This combo has outstanding sound stage, incredible detail, and a lot of warmth. I think that is more due to the autoformers of the mc402. There is a lot of resolution between the speakers. You could buy the 2200 or 2300 for the tube sound but again the c46 with the mc402 have a tube sound to them.

theo, i have a mx132. what 2 chanell pre-amp is in mine?

I'll probably take a lot of heat for this. So please, just take it as my opinion and what had happened when I made the change. I had a C-46 pre and a MC-402 amp in my system for about 10 years. Just for a whim, I substituted a Rogue Audio Pharaoh hybrid integrated amp. This combination literally blew The Mac pre and power away. It totally amazed me at how a $3500 integrated could embarrass a 12k Mac system.....

Another vote for the C2300 here; it has one of the very best phono sections ever made and is especially good with LOMC cartridges.  Good luck & happy listening!