The MC452 is a very good amp, but its input impedence is 22K Ohms, and it does not mate well with ever tube pre. Our CJ Act 2.2 (output impedence 500 Ohms) sounded flat and lacked bass with the 452. We fixed it by inserting a with Pass XVR-1 external cross-over (which I was looking to add anyway to split the signal in a monitor/sub speaker configuration). That combo now sounds really nice.
mcintosh 452 amp
hi audiogoners. i just purchased a mcintosh 452 power amp locally (traded in a b.a.t. vk250 power amp). my question is this: i'm pairing the mac with a b.a.t vk3i tube preamp. does this combination work well? would it be worth, down the line, to invest in a mac pre amp? my system so far is as follows: kef 205/2 speakers, marantz reference cd/sacd player, vpi turntable, purist audio spkr cables, jps labs interconnects and powerchords, and a running springs power conditioner. that being said, i think i've pretty much completed my system. hopefully the mac amp is the last piece of the puzzle. any feedback would be appreciated. thanks.