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Used McIntosh Amp or better new options out there? - Amplifier or Integrated

A little about me, I am in the process of building my next step up 2-channel system for a listening room that is 17’x13’x12’. Current gear: LS50 and Paradigm Studio 20 v5 + Rotel RA-12 + SB2000 
For me new speakers I’m thinking in the $3-4k price range floor standing speakers. Some of the speakers I’m considering: Dynaudio Evoke 50, KEF R7, Focal Aria 936, Salk Song3 tower and my stretch budget option is the 805 D3s. 
I mostly listen to Jazz, orchestra/instrumental, Pop, some trance/electronic and Classic rock. I’m a fan of a clean but less harsh highs, non shouty mids and tight controlled bass. 

Now back to the topic at hand. I came across a used MC152 at a local high end audio store. The sales guy indicated this was originally a demo amp from their store that one of their regulars bought and recently traded it in for a large Mac amp. He indicated its from 2017, but no way for me to know for sure (not sure if the serial number will let me look it up?). I auditioned this amp on speakers they had in store and I really liked the sound it produced on my usual music tracks. However the left VU meter needle on this amp was not working. Apart from that looked in mint condition, not scratches, no marks on the screws that would indicate tampering. The dealer said he’ll get it serviced from a local third party McIntosh repair shop and can then sell it to me once fixed and I’m satisfied with its condition. They are asking $2.8k for this amp, which is what attracted me to it given how expensive they are normally. 

Now my question is, should I bother taking the plunge? Now that I found out the VU meter is broken, I’m a little turned off since someone is now going to open this thing up (probably for the first time). I’ve heard Macs are bullet proof and last for ever, but does anyone see any red flags here or anything I should look for?

Given the $3k ish price range, is there something else I could consider in this range (I prefer Class AB or Tube or Tube Hybrid). Is paying close to retail for a new MC152 from a dealer worth the extra money (warranty and less anxiety)?  This is the first time I’m buying in this price range, so I want to make sure. I’m open to both a good stereo power amp or an integrated as long as its a sizeable upgrade from my RA-12. If its only an amp, I intend to us the RA-12 as a preamp for now till I can budget for a good tube preamp (Rogue Audio perhaps) 

I ideally wanted to stay at about $6k for speaker + amp and was leaning towards one of the Dynaudio towers + a parasound Halo or Rotel RA-1592 / 1582 MkII type amp. I always dreamed of owning a McIntosh or Luxman but couldn’t stomach to full retail price on those beauties. Any help to reduce my anxiety or providing some suggestions would be much appreciated :) 

Thank you! 
sr20022002
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,291 posts
 
@noromance , it’s a solid state amp, not tube.


@sr20022002, I bought a second hand McIntosh Mc152 from Audio Classics and both meters worked perfectly for $2500.00. Two years later, I traded it in on a used McIntosh MC302 amp and got $3000.00 on trade in from The Music Room. Shop around, there are many MC152 amps for sale out there.
sr20022002 OP
15 posts
 
Appreciate the helpful responses from everyone. 

@spatialking The dealer said they would get it fixed through a known Mac repair shop in the air (I looked them up and they seem legit, but are third party and not Mac authorized I believe). The only thing is once its opened, I’m wondering if its resale value will drop. Not sure if it’s possible to lookup amp repair history or warranty history based on the serial number ?

@decooney I’m not set on upgrading everything all at once, but I also don’t want to end up with like 10-15k worth of equipment either. I want to keep it relatively lightweight so that its easier to offload if I need to. My plan is to get a solid state Amp and then preamp I ideally want to get a tube. Was looking at Rogue audio (under $2k budget), not sure if there’s any others in that price range. 

@noromance I highly doubt this dealer will throw in anything, this is the type of shop that caters people with lots of disposable income and just expect the dealer to build them a system. I asked them what speakers they have in the showroom under $5k and he could only show me 3-pairs, rest everything was above that. So its that kind of a store where they don’t exactly get bargain hunters. I normally would not buy from such a place, but there’s no other such store in the area. 

@stereo5 That sounds like a good deal! I’m going to look around. I found a couple of people on FB market place who said they could give me discount and an authorized dealer’s receipt made in my name, but they claim the item is open box and no disclosing dealer name. Sounds a little sketchy, but I’m wondering if certain dealers do such things to sell below MSRP and cut a deal for people. 

Anyone have experience with getting discount on new equipment? Should I be considering something like Luxman or Passlabs? I’m not quite sure how pure Class A works in terms of driving speakers given their small power output, are they only good for really efficient speakers ?
I definitely prefer Mac, but is there anything I’m overlooking that could give me more discounts buying new or save me money with equivalent performance? (No class-D ;) haha ) 
gdnrbob
4,422 posts
 
@OP,
I would recommend getting your speakers first, then choosing the remaining components. Some speakers work better with certain amp/preamps. 
If you buy your amps first, then you are locked into what speakers will work best with them.
And, 
I would add a pair of Vandersteen Treo's, used they would be in your budget.
Bob
gdnrbob
4,422 posts
 
@OP,
Getting discounts from a dealer means building a relationship with him/her-and, buying enough equipment to make it worth the while.
-As far as class A goes, they can drive anything within their power range, just like any other amplifier. A lot depends upon the design. A Pass Amp will probably have greater ability to drive difficult loads than most other manufacturers.
Mac is a well respected brand, but there are many others out there that give them a run for the money. Ayre (SS), and Atmasphere(tubes) are my choices. Both play extremely well with my Vandy Treo's and VLR's.
B
decooney
1,914 posts
 
How about a really nice integrated tube amplifier... instead of separates with added costs, cabling costs, gonna need a DAC if it’s not built in, etc.

Eventually after I’m done screwing around with separates in SS and tube the past 35 years, my end game system will likely go back to a super nice integrated tube amplifier. Another good place to start and end at. Good resale. 
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