[McIntosh 2505/C-26 - any interest?]

Before I go to AGon with this I thought I would see if anyone is

interested a Mc combo of MC2505 power amp and C-26 pre. Both recently

back from check-up from local 40 year Mc dealer. Both with wood cases

and Pan-Loc system. 2505 and case would be 7/10, C-26 is an honest

9/10. The pre is actually so nice that all the sales people were called

over to have a look when I brought them in. Not looking to make

any money, just return my investment, asking $900 will split shipping.

Since I can only log on to the forum about 10% of the time, post a

reply and I can give you a call. Thanks

Rich

[Pre-amp of choice for 2a3 - kind of lost]

Thinking of taking the leap into the flea-powered world of 2a3 tubes

for my Belles and Corns. Found what appears to be a quality unit

in both design and parts. Solens, Blackgates, Teflon film caps, a

6C45Pi driver tube, 5AR4 rectifier, CLC filtered B+ supply, hum balance

pots, dual chokes and cathode biased tubes. Now, for those in the know,

what pre-amp will work best, tube or SS. With the 2a3, will a

tube pre put forth too much of or too soft a sound. Will SS give the

2a3 a bit more bite or ruin the whole SET effect. Kind of lost and out

of my realm.

Thanks

Rich

[Eating McIntosh crow - mm good]

When a great price turned into a good price after needing to tune up Mc

separates C26/2505, and then I wasn't too thrilled with the sound, I

was a bit bummed. Man have they grown on me. You MUST use the 26

tone controls to fine tune for just right sound. I have never

been a fan of tone controls, usually preferring integrateds with

volume only, straight in, straight out. When dialed in and using

the variable loudness control properly this set-up really shines

with Belles. Huge soundstage, deep controlled bass (yeah with Belles)

precise, non-fatiging highs. The loudness control seems to act much

like variable feedback or focus control on a tube amp. On some

settings there is a bit more hiss than I prefer but on the whole this

is a great sounding rig. My apologies to McIntosh Labs. Now I wonder,

how will much more expensive Mc's sound?!

Rich

[Decision made - SS power and Merlin pre]

I think I have narrowed my upgrade to SS power and a JM Merlin pre. Now

exactly what power I am not yet sure, but I have them narrowed.

Nackamichi P-5 STASIS (Pass/Threshold design) or Forte Model 4a 50WPC

pure Class A. I think either should be a great match with the Merlin.

All will be driving Belles with Corns thrown in on occasion. I feel

this will be great compromise system, quality designed SS for control

and punch and a tube pre for, well for my Belles. Been listening to my

newly acquired Mac 2505 and C-26, not impressed. Going on the block

this weekend.

Rich

[Pentode EL-84 w/ Belles]

What type of sound/slam/tight bass, upper extension can I expect with

about 10 watts of EL-84 Pentode power, driving Belles. This integrated

is made in Japan, now thats a change, by Almarro and seems like a fun,

inexpensive piece to play with. How does the Pentode design

compare to other tube designs for quaility of sound, reliability, etc.

Thanks, Rich

[Amp/pre-amp combos - mixing tube with SS]

What is general feeling on mixing and matching tube and SS

amps/pre-amps. I am considering a tube pre with a McIntosh SS power

amp. What problems can I run into? Is it the tube pre or tube power

that gives you the "tube" sound? Or a combination of both? Then again I

have always liked integrated amps, owned a Cayin TA-30 and it sounded

pretty fair but would like to make a considerable upgrade and looking

at seperates is in the plans.

[Midwest Audio Classic 2A3]

Anyone familier with Midwest Audio tube gear. With my minimal knowledge

of tubes it looks like a nice piece for reasonable on AGon. Seems to be

well put together, high grade components and tube rectified. Any

experiences? Really looks nice and may pull the trigger.

Same but differant, has anyone heard Pauls TAD - 60 integrated from

BizzyBee. I know, Chinese crap that has been constructed to Pauls specs

but for what paid for his Cayin TA-30 for my first tube experience a

couple years ago, it didn't sound too bad - for what I paid. The new 60

is built for Paul by Audcom and looks substantial. Do not know if it is

tube rectified as are monos. Comments on the TAD - 60?

Rich

[Check out this price for McIntosh]

Thanks guys for all your input - there is a long time Mac dealer in

town who can have a look and from what eveyone has been saying it

sounds like there is a problem. I am going to mull it over tonight.

Gilbert, I'll let you know. Pisses me off when you think you have found

a decent deal on equipment you've been wanting to try and then,

problems. Course then again, my beautiful and described as "perfect"

Oak/Cane Belles were picked up with blown tweeters. Now I wouldn't

trade 'em for a million bucks, well, maybe a million and one!!!!!!!

Rich

[Check out this price for McIntosh]

Thanks Gary/Paul - I've got in narrowed down to the loudness control.

On the C-26 it is labeled flat to the left and max to the right. I have

not had a loudness control on any equipment for years but when I did it

would either be flat or off. Here where it gets funny, at the flat

setting is where there is most volume gain and the worst hum, at max

setting is the least volume gain and no hum. I am confused. As I turn

toward max nearly all the mids and highs are gone along with hum. At

full flat all frequency is as they should be but with a lot of hum.

Never seen a loudness control like this. Although once

everthing is adjusted just so, it sounds pretty good. This is all

connected to my second system, Corns, crappy wire and an older CD. But

hum is hum no matter what it will connected to. The seller said he

would take it back or pay for a tech but I am not sure it is worth the

trouble. Whats an ignorant Mac guy supposed to do.

[Check out this price for McIntosh]

Did not get a chance to preview, now I am not sure I got such a good

deal as I have never owned Mac before. I get quite a bit of hum when I

turn the L-R channel gains up to about one-third. Is this normal? Don't

sound right to me. My MOSFET integrated is stone cold silent. Hope I

did not buy a pig in a poke. Any ideas?

Thanks Rich

[Check out this price for McIntosh]

Have found a local sale for a pristine, hardly used Mac 2505 amp and

C-26 pre with perfect walnut cases, $700 for the pair. What do ya

think of the price and how will that pair with Belles?

Rich

[How do the Belles and Cornwalls differ?]

Much as I thought I had died and gone to heaven when I replaced my

Fortes with '76 Cornwalls, my Belles have put the Corns in the back

room with a lowly HK 430. For my ears Belles just do it for me. So

clean, crisp with real, taunt bass, much more precise than the Corns.

For example, pulled the Corns into the main system just a couple

weekends ago, listed for one evening, a very short session the next

morning and back they went. Even with new BEC "B" networks the

Corns sound veiled and lacked the absolute precision of the fully horn

loaded Belle sound. For my taste, Belles with BEC "A/AA" convertibles

run on the "A" side are the cats meow. For what its worth, my

significant other who loves (loved) the Corns agrees; the Corns won't

ever be sold but we listen to Belles.

[Best for the money - re-built Dynaco or Scott]

There are beautifully re-stored ST-70 and Mk.lll and IV on Agon and if

one can find a nice 299A/B and then let NOS do his magic, which provide

the best overall sound vs. value. Would the added expense of a pre for

the Dynaco make the Scott more appealing. I could see a like new Dynaco

paired with a Merlin making great sound for around $1500 vs. the

re-stored Scott for around $700. Worth the difference?

[When did Klipsch go post Heritage?]

What would have happened if Klipsch would have stuck to Heritage only?

You had the answer, they would have gone under, it was survival. Look

at the generic designs of todays speakers. Tall, thin with multiple

drivers or small cubes on stands. Much of this forced on designers for

HT applications and space issues. Like any other successful, consumer

driven company , they had to adapt. Looks like it worked.

[Do you ride?]

Plan to ride from KC. Not sure if we are starting the trek at Hope and

then on to the Blue Ridge Mtns or the reverse and catch Hope on the way

home. Either way, this is going to be several days of great riding.

Have planned on a ride to Hope for the past couple years and now

the Pilgrammage makes it a done deal.

[2006 Attendees]

I guess I could fly home to VA and ride

from there but comming from VA to AR and KS to AR don't meet up

anywhere[]. And I don't know if my Harley would want to be seen

ridin near a Yammerha.....................[] haha just kiddin,

if you on two wheels your cool to me.

Steve - here we go. I can

FORCE my BMWK1200RS to ride with Hardleys, I just ride VERY SLOW. And

to make it fair, I'll pull two plugs and ride blind-folded, now THAT

should make it even. See ya in Hope and on an HD, Hope you make

it!!!!!!!!!!

Steve

[2006 Attendees]

RichieB and Linda - ridin' the Bimmer from KC down through those great

Arkansas roads then on to Tennessee/Kentucky and the Blue Ridge Pkwy.

Should be a great early summer trip.

[What speakers did you own before becoming Klipschheads?]

Early 70's - first Infinity brand speaker issued

JBL LE-15A; JBL LE-85; LX-5 xover in custom built cabinets - selling was bad mistake

Mcintosh MC 1

Klipsch LaScalla

Phase Tech satellite system (in favor of LaScalla) ????????????

Klipsch Heresy

JBL 4312B

Mirage OM-7 - pretty damn nice

Magneplaner 1.6 QR - not bad

Triangle Celius EX - very nice - would consider brand again - all

inhouse design/manufacture of all components - and my college girl

friend was French - ooh la la !!!!!!!

Klipsch Forte

Klipsch Cornwall

Klipsch Forte ll - didn't like as well as forte 1

Klipsch Belle - the Queen of them all

[Cheap SET & PP Tube Amp Ripoffs]

edwinr - Are you familier with the Redgum line of SS amplifiers?

Handmade in your neck of the woods Down-under. Is Redgum a popular line

since it is locally made? I have had mine for well over a year

and have been totally staisfied with its performance and have no desire

to change. Beautiful to look at, great to listen.

[Belle Klipsch]

I know that in my system Belles have all the CORRECT bass I require. Is

it sometimes a bit shy on some recordings, yeah, but overall the sound

is so clean, crisp and right, a bit of shy bass now and then is a small

tradeoff. For my ears The Belles produce the right bass. And as one

poster says on his tag line, "all the bass worth hearing". A great line

I wish I had said.

[Price Jump Noted For Belle's]

Great observation Gilbert and for us proud Bells owners this is

obviously a good thing. That is why when last year I saw a pair of rare

Oak/Cane Belles in near perfect condition for $1300, after I nearly

fainted, I jumped all over 'em. With re-built tweeters and new

BEC A/AA xovers, they sound awesome. And the looks are classic

and as many have said, one of the most beautiful cabinet designs ever.

I would not consider parting with these for a penney under $2500 and

they are worth every bit of that. Being real honest, as nice as

mine are and with what I would have to spend to come close in looks and

sound performance, it would probably take closer to $3000. That may

seem extreme when you can buy KHorns for that and less but Belle owners

have to consider what it would take to replace these Classics.

[SS amplification: MOSFET power vs. Class A]

mosfet has nothing to do with class a operation ....

do you like the "mosfet mist" ..???

bi-polar devices rule ..........

"Mist" lifted long ago but I see grandstanding rules over constructive

comments. Observing the forum has become much more enjoyable than

posting.

[SS amplification: MOSFET power vs. Class A]

Have been toying with the idea of using pure Class A power with my

Belles/Corns. Currently using a MOSFET powered integrated with

excellent results; crystal clear, zero grain, smooth, detailed and

non-fatiguing. My question, do Class A and MFET mimic each other in the

way they operate in that both are non-switching? Am I correct that MFET

is non-switching? Will Class A give that almost tube-like sound that

MFET gives? I may buy the Class A and test one against the other, odd

man out.

[Chorus I for Sale/Trade]

It has been a while, where you been T 42. Good to hear from again.

Rich

[Jolida hybrid integrated]

Been there.

Done that.

Don't bother.