Used Integrated Amp

[mulester7]

.....Gentlemen, a valued friend here at this site is interested in an integrated amp at used prices for a 2.0 set-up....I suggested by PM that he search for a McIntosh integrated amp to try to get the sound quality that only Mac has....he did some checking, and found used Mc to be out of his price range....I ask you guys to come to the rescue here, and suggest some integrated amps other than Mc you have possessed that seemed to rival Mc sound quality....

 

[JoeE SP9]

A couple of questions mulester. Just what is his price range? How about separate power and preamp? If separates will work for him, I suggest an Adcom GTP450 and GFA 535, or 545. This way you get a tuner preamp with remote and power amp for around $500 or less. Nothing much will sound like a Mac. However you can get some of that Mac sound by using output transformers on your SS gear like Mac does. I know Mac doesn't call them that but thats what they are.

 

[mulester7]

A couple of questions mulester. Just what is his price range? How about separate power and preamp? If separates will work for him, I suggest an Adcom GTP450 and GFA 535, or 545. This way you get a tuner preamp with remote and power amp for around $500 or less. Nothing much will sound like a Mac. However you can get some of that Mac sound by using output transformers on your SS gear like Mac does. I know Mac doesn't call them that but thats what they are.

.....thanks, Joe....you said things that make me know you know what you're talking about....let's bring in the valued member I referred to, he handles himself quite well....would the real, RJBudz, please stand up....what's your budget, RJ?.....

 

[mulester7]

.....RJ, sorry if I dropped you in the grease....think about it.....

 

[mulester7]

.....well, after PM'ing some more with RJ, we've decided to keep it at PM level....thanks, Joe, for the most worthy suggestions....

 

[Zekeman]

One word (if all he wants is two-channel)...Sansui...

AU-9500
AU-9900
AU-717
.........

 

[pearsall001]

According to other posters here everything that has a plug on it sounds the same. Tell him to stick with a clock radio, he'll be more than happy with it's 2 channel sound-LOL. All kidding aside I had a Jolida 502B int amp that I was very impressed with for 2 channel listening. I tried to incorporate it into HT also but it just didn't have enough oomph to suit my needs. It sounded superb for 2 channel & is reasonably priced on the used market. How it compares to Mac sound I can't offer my opinion because I've never heard Mac gear. But boy I sure would like to.

 

[Tomorrow]

Hi guys. And t'anx mulester7 for info hunting for me! For some reason I hadn't seen any but the first two posts on this thread until just now. (My computer has Alzeimers. )

My intention, originally was to come up with a second system, stereo, for my office. I wanted some real sounds instead of these Logitech offerings from my sound card. So I thought vintage, small Infinity 2-ways (which I just purchased...got screwed on the condition by the ebay seller), and almost bought a vintage Pioneer receiver...$20. I dig all those old fashioned, lighted analog meters. Then the missus...uh, er...encouraged (yeah, that's the word)..encouraged me to use our currently owned Yamaha Zone 2 output to light up the Infinities. Extra bucks are difficult to come by in my family.

Well....I decided again that it's the Mac sound I wanted, and I just went off-track with the vintage other stuff. So....until a rich uncle dies, no Mac amp will grace my listening/office area...just a Zone 2 output from a YRX-V. Oh how simply 'acronymed'....when I want the passion of tubes. My original idea turned out to be way too rich for us'ns blood. And as you stated, if only a Mac sounds like a Mac, then I'm kinda stuck. Tho' I will take a look at Sansui (thanks for that idea, Zekeman).

But thanks, everyone, for your input.

 

[JoeE SP9]

Please don't put everyone in the it all sounds the same catagory. Although a lot of posters here feel that most things sound the same I am not one of them. Mac gear is very nice. I have heard a lot of it over the years. Their speakers are another thing. I have never been impressed with their speakers. ESl's are my speakers of choice.
For a straight stereo set up I still recommend the Adcom gear. It's reasonably priced on the used market. It's bullet proof and if you don't like it you can sell it very easily. As for speakers I recommend listening to as many kinds as you can before buying. I can't comment on receivers since I've never owned one.

 

[zildjian]

How it compares to Mac sound I can't offer my opinion because I've never heard Mac gear. But boy I sure would like to.

Find a dealer close to you and go check them out. It'd be worth the trip if you find a good dealer who doesn't mind you listening all afternoon (Nicholson's HiFi in Nashville is where I do that). I'm a fan of McIntosh amps, and with the high resale value of Mc gear, looks like a lot of people are.
Brad

 

[Tomorrow]

Please don't put everyone in the it all sounds the same catagory. Although a lot of posters here feel that most things sound the same I am not one of them. Mac gear is very nice. I have heard a lot of it over the years. Their speakers are another thing. I have never been impressed with their speakers. ESl's are my speakers of choice.
For a straight stereo set up I still recommend the Adcom gear. It's reasonably priced on the used market. It's bullet proof and if you don't like it you can sell it very easily. As for speakers I recommend listening to as many kinds as you can before buying. I can't comment on receivers since I've never owned one.

Would you provide a little more detail on the ESL's? (And thanks for the Adcom tip.)

LOL, I've never weighed in on the issue of subjective amp audio experience vs. testing and the relevant dbt's. Nor do I wish to open THAT can of worms, here. But I can tell you that a good* amp makes a big difference over a bad* amp. And further, Mac amps are way more than good looks.

* Pardon the subjective references. I wish not to explain my definitions at this time.