HOW DOES MC402 SOUND WITHOUT PREAMP?

Plenty of McIntosh users-ask here http://www.audioaficionado.org/

I use a MC602 with the MDA1000 direct-sounds great!.
Enjoy that MC402.

Make sure that your CD player can output at least 4 volts (double the Phillips red book CD standard), because the Mc402s sensitivity for full output swing is 4 V.
I have had great results with Wadia and Audio Aero Capitole CD players.
A regular 2 V output CD player will cripple your Mc 402 to 200W/channel.
If you match properly, it is a killer combination, one less box to worry about, one less power cord and interconnect.
Good luck

The Marantz SA11-S1 does not have volume control. The volume control buttons on the remote are not for controlling its output volume.

Thanks for great inputs. My MC402 is with me now but my cdp does not have volume control, So I will sell it and find a used MCD301. Hope they will work well together.

Why not pick up a cheap passive for the time being? I actually prefer passive with my MC-7270.