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Mc 240 vs. Prima Luna

Good morning all, hope everyone is well and ready for the holidays. 

I may need someone to talk me away from the ledge. (fairly normal state for me these days).

Story is this. I have been saving to add a second McIntosh 240 to my system. I have one now that does a fine job powering my Klipsch Heresy IV's. It was recently refurbished by Audio Classics in Vestal NY. (by the way, can't reccmomend them highly enough, especially Ryan).

Anyway, I'm getting close to being able to pony up for the second 240. Plan is to bridge them in mono and have 80 WPC effectivly. 

However.... I have been reading much about the Prima Luna's. Modern.. Warm... ability to roll several tube types.. sweet mid, good low end..

Do I stick with my original plan, get the second 240, (built in the US, tank like construction, known sound and cool factor).

Or do I chase the neat new shiny Prima Luna's ?

Any thoughts are welcome..

Doug

 

 

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tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,911 posts
 

here is a photo of the guts of a Mike Samra modified 240. The 240 has the best output transformers Mac ever built including to this day. Run it stereo. In fighting trim it always makes 50+ wpc, enough w Klipsch to deform your head. The Dead used 4 MC240 in mono for the early days PA.

Buy another, send best one to Mike in Michigan, get it back…break in those PIO caps…magic…..

 

 

tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,911 posts
 

and happy driving Vandersteen Treo CT at the Winter stopover…

 

 

dinov's avatar
dinov
831 posts
 

McIntosh, you have a highly sought after beautiful sounding amplifier that was made in the USA! Please this is a no brainer…..for the love of music. 

doyle3433's avatar
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doyle3433 OP
315 posts
 

Thank you everyone for the thoughtful comments, suggestions, advice..

I do completely enjoy my current set up, and I am feeling the additional 240 may not be the best use for my dollars. Perhaps I can split what I’ve saved and upgrade elsewhere. I wouldn’t mind upgrading my pre-amp. The old NAD seems out of place. Maybe I go for something more period correct like a MAC C 26 or 28..

Also found some great deals on some phono pre-amps I’ve been lusting after from Sutherland.

rbyington711's avatar
rbyington711
66 posts
 

Don’t think the Mac has the build quality of the PL also you see a ton of Mac gear for sale every day PL not so much. This would indicate to me the people who buy PL stay with them and the Mac people move on to something else. I don’t agree with the Person that said Mac hold more value than PL the Mac can be 2-3 times the price.

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