[thebearded1]

i have a Mac c2300 tube pre amp which sounds just great. I presently have this matched with a Mac Mc252 ss amp.  I am considering getting a tube amp to bi amp with my Mc252 ss amp powering the bass.  the speaks are von schweikert unifield 3s....i have listened to a Mac mc275 and 2102 tube amps though not with my system...both are impressive.  does anyone have any experience with how tube amps from other manufacturers such as prima luna, audio space, moscode and nuforce match with a Mac tube pre...

thnx

[jon_010101]

My personal opinion is that the MC275 is a far better amp than Prima Luna or Audio Space.  I don't see any reason (except for price) not to make this decision simple and buy the Mc. 

[richidoo]

The Mac tube preamps all have solid state output stages, to work well with their solid state power amps. So don't worry about impedances, 2300 can easily drive any amp.

The MC252-402 stereo amps use big output transformers which smooth them out a bit. The amps on your list are more on the clear and fast side, great for midrange. When I tried to biamp with Manley Snappers and MC402, they clashed because my crossover was high at 250Hz. Either amp sounded great by itself, but they were very different from each other. The lower your bass/mid crossover the less of a problem this is. If you cross at 80Hz might not be a problem at all. 

If your crossover is up higher, then you have to use amps that are tonally similar. PrimaLuna house sound is kinda warm and tubey, due to the low budget output transformers, so it might be a good match with 252, but I'm just guessing - they're still very different animals. You don't want a gooey tube amp just to match the 252, cuz then you have to listen to it on your midrange! You could always get another 252 and have perfect tonal consistency top to bottom.  Or put a brighter amp in the bass which will match a great tube midrange like MC275 better.
Rich