2. amps-preamps
  3. 161014-148799

$7000 preamp vs $700 receiver - Is the difference THAT significant?

Current setup:
Marantz SR5005 (AV Receiver) + Peachtree Amp 500 + BluSound Node 2i + GoldenEar Trition 2+ = Current Setup

I'd like... no, want... no, desire... to add "Blue Meters" to my setup.  McIntosh haunts me.  For dozens of years.

My quandary:
Acquire a McIntosh C52/53, maybe C2600/2700... vs something like a Marantz AV7705 (or AV7706 appears it was just released).  Yes I know I'm comparing brie cheese and cheddar.  I'm more concerned with the notion that I can get "as good" sound out of that Marantz preamp, as I can from those McIntosh units... (ignore the multi-channel notions for the moment)

Is my sonic happiness "that much better served" by a McIntosh $7K unit vs a Marantz $2-3K unit?  How much difference can I expect?  
rabbottmke
rabbottmke OP
23 posts
 
Update: I have a piece of gear inbound.  I actually made a bid on a C52, and after talking with the dealer who was re-selling it, was introduced to some other ideas.  The one I settled on, PrimaLuna EVO 400... should arrive today.  

After digging in... and seeing that SandyG himself used that equipment to demo the speakers I have (Triton 2+'s) ... I figured: "how could I go wrong?"

From all I've read, I'm sure I'll be thrilled.
danvignau's avatar
danvignau
935 posts
 
Depends:  Are you running the $700 preamp into the $700 receiver?
limomangus's avatar
limomangus
1,428 posts
 
I would hope so .If there isn't I spent a ton of money. Dam.
emergingsoul
1,169 posts
 
Interesting comments.  Have bluesound node 2i and replaced it with a separate dac and roon nucleus.  Bluesound is a poor streamer/dac.

I may get the C1100 mcintosh preamp.  But I don’t plan to use the phonostage part of system, wasteful.  All this vs spending entire $14k on C1100 or using funds toward a preamp without a phonostage.  C1100 is very nice but it does use a lot of space.
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