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Amp and PreAmp, stick to the same brand?

Hi, I’ am new here.
 l have just bought an Amplifier : McItosh Mc8702. I’have bought it used.
Now, I’am tinking of a PreAmp replacement for my home cinema system.
McIntosh Mx122 has some featers that I do not need : streaming for example.
I already have a good streamer.
I was thinking about Krell Foundation 4k as a potential PreAmp.
It is not possible to try the Krell at home with my equipement.
Marantz or Anthem crossed my mind too but they are less highend audio than McIntosh.
A friend of mine told me to never have an Amp and a PreAmp of two different brands.
Any tought  about that ?

Thanks
zzrider
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,350 posts
 
For many years I had different combinations of amp and preamp from 2 different manufacturers. I have come full circle and now use a Mac tube preamp with a Mac power amp. Trust me when I say you will get more of the McIntosh sound this way. I have separate systems with McIntosh in both and I find I am listening to much more music now.
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Those that choose the same brand will say "Yes", those who do not will say "No".

After more than 40 years in this hobby, if you want to match aesthetics, then matching manufacturers makes lots of sense. As far as sonics go, it doesn't really matter, as long as certain impedance and gain matching is checked.
That is the another advantage of going with the same manufacturer, the impedance/gain matching is usually already done, so that you don't have to think about it.

zzrider OP
38 posts
 
Thanks for your help.
I am not much of an aesthetic person.I am rather a sound guy,
even tough ,I am far from being an expert.
It is like living with a woman:the temper finaly wins over the appearance. For me anyway.
My old PreAmp, an Rotel model ( RSP 1069 ) is coming back from repair this week, ounce again . I am going to put it for sale .

I will take your views into consideration.
Thanks again.



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