Soooooooo many possibilities...!

Thanks techno_dude.  Just watched the UTube vid you suggested.  It has merits.  Especially its digital (when that time comes) and MM/MC features.  That said.  Have heard the C52 with Mac 601's in combo with both b&w 800 series and sonus faber speakers.  Found the soundstage lacking.  Would the MC1000 change that?  Also, thinking maybe a tube preamp would warm up some of the coolness of the SS Mac amps...
Eric, the room is in fairly good shape, but have been looking into getting it "tuned".
Thanks!

I use a Manley labs front end (Jumbo Shrimp/Chinook) with my Mac MC352 and I love the combo. Very palpable with lots of rise and decay excellent high freq extension with incredible mid range and very good low taught bass extension. I imagine a Stingray or a 300B classic would be very nice indeed.

https://www.manley.com/hifi

Matt M

I bought a McIntosh C2500 preamp in almost new condition from Audio Classics for 4300.00.  It is a great tube preamp and sounds wonderful with the McIntosh MC152 solid state amp.  I have had many tube preamps and this reminds me most of my former Audible Illusions Modulus 3B but with tone controls and other nicety's.  If you like the lush tube sound (which I do) this may float your boat.

Hello Matt and thanks for the heads up.  Just spent 45 minutes checking out Manley gear.  That Steelhead phono is something that needs a lot more looking into.  Going to find a place that demo's that and give a serious listen.  Not really big on the looks, but, it's not the looks we listen to :)
Thanks!

In going the Mac preamp route I'd maybe go with the C52, but, it's ss... so kind of exploring other directions.  Trying to avoid ss for the time being.
At Audio Classics they set up a comparison demo for me.  Mac tube preamp vs Mac ss preamp.  While both sounded great, there was definitely that "warm" sound you hear about when they demo'd the tube preamp.  Which I did like.  Exploring for very strong phono... with that warmth...
Thanks stereo5 :)