Newbie looking for Mac stuff

[djmaka7]

Hi,
New to the forum. Greetings!

Looking to meld old school 2 channel analog with the latest 7.1 HDMI etc digital stuff. Looking at Mac stuff (serious sticker shock on the MX 135 -6!!!). Then started looking at Outlaw 990 preamp.. just starting on this quest and far from desparate to buy. Love Mac. Had a 1900 back in the day and now run a C-28 with a Crown 300. Would love a MHT 100-200 or the latest MX but am not that flush. Separates rally appeal to me but again want a semi-reasonable pricetag.

 

[mazersteven]

A lot of good feedback from this new unit.

http://www.integrahometheater.com/model.cfm?m=DTC-9.8&class=Separates&p=i

$1600 bucks

Don't know if this is something that you would be looking for.

 

[highfihoney]

Buying brand new Mcintosh gear is not a good choice & this is comming from a guy who own's a boat load of Mac gear,if your going to go with Mac buying used is the only way to go & can save you around 50%,also buying ANY high end processor is not going to be a good value,not feature wise or in holding it's value.Home theater changes features like underwear making last year's models obsolete & with little value.

If you do not need to have the latest surround or connection features then you can score a killer Mac HT system for around $3,000,the C-39,MX-118 & MX 130 are excellent processors & even better 2 channel preamps,for amplification look at these models,Mc 7104,Mc 7106 & Mc 126.

Without knowing any of your system plans its going to be hard to get reccomendations,what are you shooting for in a system,3.1,5.1,7.1,what type speakers do you allready have & are you buying new/different speakers,room size ect.

If your set on buying Mac gear Audiogon is your freind

 

[djmaka7]

Thanks for the advice. Good call on new Mac stuff..........way too pricey. Even used is pretty steep. Going to the older technology, as you suggested looks to be more reasonable.

Regarding the ever-changing technology, it is mind boggling. My current line in the sand is digital audio. It is my understanding that in order to do this I would need one of the following: HDMI, fiber optic or coax interface. Seems to me that HDMI is MX136-120, new and latest and $$$$$. MX 135 -119 no HDMI but both fiber optic (square thing) and coax. This is where I'd like to be but it is still $$$. This is why I'm considering an Outlaw 990.

I had a Carver 880, Dolby 5.1 not Dolby digital, mid 90s technology which seems like it would have the same basic capabilities (minus of course the Mac quality, sound, low distortion, etc) as the 118, 130 C39. Is this right?

I have DCM 212s. They are 3 way speakers (2 - 12" woofers). Sound great with Crown 300 and C28. I used to run a DCM center and PSB dipole (bipole?)surrounds. My goal for home theater would be 5.1 My room is 12 X 24. In my mind going to 7.1 would be a waste. Do you agree?

Can anyone out there suggest comparable features and specs to the MX 135-6?

One responder suggested Integra. I've looked at those receivers and they are nice. I still lean toward separates, versus a receiver. Anyone have any ideas?

I think that one feature of the higher end 7.1 receivers and pre/pros that Ilike is the ability to bi-amp 2-channels.

Happy holidays,
Newbie looking to learn.

 

[Seth=L]

Thanks for the advice. Good call on new Mac stuff..........way too pricey. Even used is pretty steep. Going to the older technology, as you suggested looks to be more reasonable.

Regarding the ever-changing technology, it is mind boggling. My current line in the sand is digital audio. It is my understanding that in order to do this I would need one of the following: HDMI, fiber optic or coax interface. Seems to me that HDMI is MX136-120, new and latest and $$$$$. MX 135 -119 no HDMI but both fiber optic (square thing) and coax. This is where I'd like to be but it is still $$$. This is why I'm considering an Outlaw 990.

I had a Carver 880, Dolby 5.1 not Dolby digital, mid 90s technology which seems like it would have the same basic capabilities (minus of course the Mac quality, sound, low distortion, etc) as the 118, 130 C39. Is this right?

I have DCM 212s. They are 3 way speakers (2 - 12" woofers). Sound great with Crown 300 and C28. I used to run a DCM center and PSB dipole (bipole?)surrounds. My goal for home theater would be 5.1 My room is 12 X 24. In my mind going to 7.1 would be a waste. Do you agree?

Can anyone out there suggest comparable features and specs to the MX 135-6?

One responder suggested Integra. I've looked at those receivers and they are nice. I still lean toward separates, versus a receiver. Anyone have any ideas?

I think that one feature of the higher end 7.1 receivers and pre/pros that Ilike is the ability to bi-amp 2-channels.

Happy holidays,
Newbie looking to learn.

What kind of TV do you have (make and model)?

What are your sources or planned future sources (makes and models or ideas on what you plan to purchase).

Lastly, what speakers will you be driving or plan to buy? Speakers should almost always be chosen before any other audio product.

Don't get to hung up on Bi-amping, as it offers little advantage in real world applications.

 

[rcarlton]

I'm using an Outlaw 990 with a McIntosh MA6100, MC2100 and two MC250's. All purchased used. Works very well, all are used nearly daily.