Integrated amp for my Sonus Faber Guarneri

Thanks Jman. In the process of home-testing the Guarneris, I found that I like the McIntosh house sound with American Jazz recordings, of which I've got thousands. My present McIntosh is a humble MA6800, which I'd like to upgrade away from in stages. I like it's way of soft warmth with power underneath, but it lacks a bit of detail to me.

Right now I'm looking at a McIntosh C2200 Preamp, which is a tubed pre of Stereophile class A1, if that means anything, really. The price is about half of what it normally costs (I'm not as rich as the average GH owner, it seems), with exchange rates and discount, etc. It's new in the unopened box. If I got that or something else nice, I was thinking I'd then find a powerful SS amp. Do any of you have an opinion on the C2200 tube preamp for the GHs or otherwise?

I've also discovered that REL subs aren't available in Japan, so I'll have to try to get one sent over from Hong Kong or elsewhere. The sub I've got now is just a simple, lower-model Velodyne one bought on the great advice of Lloydelee21 as "proof-of-concept." I really don't enjoy the GH's without a sub. It'll be quite a while yet before my GHs do what I hope for in my home. Velodyne is available here but not REL, while it seems everyone in A'gon likes the REL.

Hi DILE,

I think as you no doubt know, there are many, many AGoners who favor McIntosh with SF Homage series. I cannot speak for the C2200 not knowing Mc myself, but it certainly seems like a very attractive proposition: you like Mc sound, many others who have no doubt had access to other products agree which can sometimes be comforting since few of us can try everything out there, and i agree with Jman that tube pre is a good idea here. GHs repond very well to tubes and having them in your pre lends you a little more flexibility to go with SS power if you choose to try the combination. As for REL v Velodyne, i cannot say since i have not listened to RELs much. i can say Velodyne DD series is extremely good for setting up in different rooms given its ability to fine tune...and do so in a very, very stratight forward manner. i got a good deal on Velodyne DD18 and also traded in my 10-yr old Velodyne as part of the deal. Take your time here. just like with the GH, get the right one...dial it in properly, and you wont regret it. good luck.

Hi D.I.L.E....glad that you are now considering keeping the GH's with a sub.
I do agree with Jman as well, when he says the GH's like tubes.( which is why I use a CAT preamp and swap in the ARC amp). If you can get your hands on a tube pre-amp or amp, then I think you will see what Jman and I are talking about.
BTW, I recently heard the GM's (ok not the GH's) with a Mac 275 reissue...worked very well. Some of the older Mac tube amps are great pieces and also work well with the SF's. However, I do think most of the Mac ss amps are a little cold and bright..
Remember, the GH's are highly resolving and will sound cold and bright with that kind of upstream gear.

DILE - i think Daveyf's words are wise. the GH's will "stiffen up" if exposed to brittle SS sound, even if the tube pre helps. if u go with SS, just watch for this when you audition. this is why i was fortunate to have a few people recommend Gryphon which i found s/hand. i remembering hearing older Mark Levinson, perhaps some of the cj SS...i compared their older line (before premier 350) directly to tube mv60...and mv60 won but the SS stuff was pretty good. i respected premier 350 a lot but did not A/B...if you can find one s/hand, these all might be worth auditioning.

on tube side, if you end up with cjmv60, that is a great combination...i have heard mv60se feels much more powerful...closer to 100 watts than its rated 60-70. i owned this combination for years. good luck!

How about a Balanced Audio Technol VK32SE tube preamp?
About the same price as the McIntosh C2200, said to be in excellent condition.