2. amps-preamps
  3. 130893-102001

Inherited 21 piece of vintage McIntosh and need help building a system

Hello.  I was fortunate enough to inherit a huge collection of mac stuff from my uncle, but although an audiophile, I'm out of my element with vintage stuff.  Here is a list of what I have to work with:

C28 preamp

two C20, stereo tube preamp

two C8's mono tube preamp

MC2002, Solid state amp

MC2200, Solid state amp

MR67, FM Stereo Tube Tuner

MR 71, FM Stereo Tube Tuner

MR74, tuner

MX 112, tuner preamp

1700 tuner

1900 tuner

MA5100, integrated amp

two MC 60's, tube amp

MC 240, 40WPC amp

MC 250, 50WPC amp

Sansui 500A

Dynaco SCA-35

HK A220

 

Linn axis turn table

Technics SL-1950 turntable

Mac XL10 speakers

Utah A70-A speakers


Any suggestions on what the best pairing would be out of these?  I can't use all of it so some will be posted once I get a system built.

Thanks for the help,

Brent



128x128brenthardy
kalali's avatar
kalali
1,977 posts
 

As much as I’d like you put the MC2200 up for sale I recommend you consider keeping it. In all the components you have its the only piece that will come to your rescue if you ever decide to try power hungry speakers like Martin Logan or something else with a demanding impedance curve. A pair would even be better but one will be quite adequate. Put one of your tube preamps in front of it and you’ll be all set.

pokey77
1,269 posts
 
I have nothing to add since I do not know anything about vintage McIntosh. But...

I have been a very happy owner of an MA6500 SS integrated for over a decade now. I can tell you that it powers Martin Logan Vantages very well. And to the reason I posted, I've had Anthem in my system and it was not even a little bit close, the Mac is just better in all regards. Please take this as my humble opinion and not as an attack.

I'm truly sorry for your loss but obviously your uncle thought much of you. You've been blessed by his generous gift. I hope that it will be a tremendous blessing for you. And that you'll have a lot of fun along the way.

Do take Als post seriously. He is very well respected in these forums.
2channel8
758 posts
 
Condolences on the passing of your uncle. It sounds like he knew what he was doing. Don't you know what he was using in his main system?
elrod
252 posts
 
Thinking outside of the box, you mention that vintage gear isn't really your thing. So if your not sentimentally attached or feeling like you're betraying your uncle, you could just sell the gear and with the proceedings look around and get a more modern setup that's more tailored to your taste.  (Not to get into a discussion about vintage vs modern gear)...

In a perfect world you could find someone/business who would buy the whole lot from you for a fair price. This wouldn't be the best way to maximize the monetary potential of this, but it would save you a ton of time and possible frustration.

Just a thought...
erik_squires
16,412 posts
 
I kind of agree with Elrod. You have to REALLY like this gear to keep it. Requires care and feeding due to age.

That's why I was suggesting to stick with the integrated, and a tuner or streamer, and sell everything else, where it will go to some one who really DOES want it.

Also, your own tastes may get really excited by something more modern, or more home theater friendly.
More to discover