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post #1426 of 3462
12/29/12 at 5:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Magick Man View Post




Both of their convertibles are retractable hardtops.

 

 

Great Ill get a second hand one when Im  40 :P 
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post #1427 of 3462
12/30/12 at 12:34pm
Thread Starter 
Off the car stuff here, I'm going to talk about the McIntosh MX151:





In a word, EPIC. In HT, just about any receiver is okay, provided you don't have planar speakers, mass market gear has gotten to be just about bulletproof. This is about music. No, the menus weren't the greatest, yes it was a little clunky for navigation (it's a $12K pre/pro, c'mon), but the DACs and preamp output sections are to die for. No coloration, no audible compression quirks, just incredible dynamic range and imagery. I prefer coloration to come from my amps, not my sources or speakers, that way I have more control. That's a lot easier said than done, however, because most manufacturers like to fiddle and screw around with "their sound signature". Bollocks, just make something that's good, functional, and reliable. Please?

For years I've used an Integra RDC-7.1, hacking it with unofficial Japanese firmware, and components from ex-Integra employees, to stay current with modern formats (more or less), because its 2-ch sound is outstanding, and I'd gotten used to its quirks and minor bugs. I was about to send back the MX151 because it was just too funky and buggy, despite the SQ, but now I have the latest FW and it's fixed! It works as advertised! cool.gif Finally. I can have my stereo cake and eat it too.

For McIntosh getting off their butts and fixing it, without breaking sound quality, the MX151 gets my highest award:





So, you're thinking, "you're applauding them for doing what they're supposed to be doing in the first place?" Yeah, I am, because most companies don't. Oh, they'll get a bug fixed alright, but it's usually released with a new product. If you buy something and it doesn't meet expectations, you're SOL most of the time, unless you go through the hassle of sending it back, which isn't always possible if you bought it online. Too bad, so sad, thanks for all the fish!

Also you're likely thinking, "Magick, WTF? It's 12 grand!" Well, there's a way around that, buy the MX150 from AG or Ebay and the firmware path will take you all the way to the final MX151 release. Really? Yeah, really. They didn't leave MX150 owners out in the cold, they get to have it all too.

http://app.audiogon.com/listings/processors-mcintosh-mx-150-like-new-king-mcintosh-150-2012-12-17-home-theater-46220
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MCINTOSH-MX-150-HOME-THEATER-CONTROLLER-SURROUND-SOUND-PROCESSOR-S-O-T-A-/150968212615
Edited by Magick Man - 12/30/12 at 5:56pm
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post #1428 of 3462
12/30/12 at 12:34pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by veyrongatti View Post

Great Ill get a second hand one when Im  40 :P 

LOL! All things considered, I don't think they'll be less expensive, this is a big time classic in the making.
Edited by Magick Man - 12/30/12 at 12:36pm
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post #1429 of 3462
12/30/12 at 3:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Magick Man View Post


LOL! All things considered, I don't think they'll be less expensive, this is a big time classic in the making.

Its the earliest I can get one. full license at 25, then try to get a no claim bonus........ by that time should be around late 30s or early 40s....... insurance might cost more then the car :P 

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post #1430 of 3462
12/30/12 at 4:50pm
Magick - you need to apologize to Big Mac for insinuating that it was ever touched defiled by Harman. tongue_smile.gif

Nice unit, fine enough UI and controls, and I'm glad that they stopped at ONE Denon rebadge (the MX-130 or whatever it is, the cheaper one - and that should be the end of that; thanks to a nice Italian company). Personally their big boy stereo DtoA setup didn't do a lot for me over substantially less expensive/elaborate/complex components (and I have no problems admitting that), but it's still nice gear aesthetically and functionally, and you gotta respect the American build that goes into those pieces. Integra is...not even in the same category. redface.gif

Out of curiosity - you considered doing a separate 2ch/HT front-end yet? tongue.gif
Edited by obobskivich - 12/30/12 at 4:59pm
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post #1431 of 3462
12/30/12 at 5:33pm

what is that MX151? 


Edited by veyrongatti - 12/30/12 at 5:35pm
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post #1432 of 3462
12/30/12 at 8:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by veyrongatti View Post

what is that MX151? 

It's a surround sound processor/pre-amplifier. Based on pricing and build it's like one tier down from "absolute TOTL" for home theater (and honestly none of the "absolute TOTL" products are things you really want to deal with in your living room), and is really flagship grade equipment though.

See more here:
http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/us/Products/pages/ProductDetails.aspx?CatId=processors&ProductId=MX151
Edited by obobskivich - 12/30/12 at 8:33pm
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post #1433 of 3462
12/31/12 at 6:07pm
Thread Starter 
Indeed, that's what I like most about the MX151, its SQ with stereo. Now I'm just about satisfied with everything for music, just want a better turntable at some point. I like the Mac MT10, it's a rebadge of a Clearaudio but they're readily available used for <$4000.

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post #1434 of 3462
12/31/12 at 6:08pm
That is one of the few modern Macs I haven't tried out - looks purdy in pictures, but very pricey. You can get a nice Tech for less than $4k. smily_headphones1.gif
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post #1435 of 3462
12/31/12 at 8:23pm
I like turntables - they actually make all the typical snakeoil audio products really work. Heavyweight vibration & resonance dampers, anti-static devices, AC power fluctuation removers, special cleaning liquids and brushes - they all really do apply to turntables! biggrin.gif
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post #1436 of 3462
12/31/12 at 9:25pm
Thread Starter 
Happy New Year! Our best wishes to all.

Quote:
That is one of the few modern Macs I haven't tried out - looks purdy in pictures, but very pricey. You can get a nice Tech for less than $4k.

but won't match or have the glowing green platter. wink.gif
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post #1437 of 3462
12/31/12 at 10:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Magick Man View Post

Happy New Year! Our best wishes to all.

beerchug.gif
Quote:
but won't match or have the glowing green platter. wink.gif

You can swap the timing bulb and it'll glow whatever color you want. cool.gif
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post #1438 of 3462
12/31/12 at 10:39pm
Thread Starter 
You talked me into going with McIntosh, don't wimp out on me now. very_evil_smiley.gif
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post #1439 of 3462
12/31/12 at 10:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Magick Man View Post

You talked me into going with McIntosh, don't wimp out on me now. very_evil_smiley.gif

I talked you into the amplifiers, and *maybe* a preamp; I said nothing about their hilariously expensive source components. ph34r.gif

Speaking of - are all of your Mac amps hooked up with the 151? Got a nice family photo of that? cool.gif
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post #1440 of 3462
12/31/12 at 10:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Magick Man View Post

Happy New Year! Our best wishes to all.
 

And the same to you and the other regulars here.

 

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