C500T change to the new C2700?
 

Anyone that have heard the new C2700? Is it a upgrade to trade my C500T in to the new C2700?

Not having directly compared it is difficult to say. I really like the fully balanced two box series and believe it is inherently superior to a one box preamp. I am sure McIntosh will eventually surpass its older two box units with newer one box preamplifiers. Whether the 2700 is that piece....

Please share your experiences.

Best of luck.

Mike S.

Are the specs better on the C2700? If not, I wouldn't do it... plus the C500 is cooler looking IMO.

C500T change to the new C2700?
 

Never heard the C2700. I owned the C500C/T at the same time as the C2300. No competition. The C2300, which I loved, sounded veiled in comparison to C500. Stick with the C500. This is my own opinion, not widely shared, but I believe the C500 is essentially a C1000 without the ability to switch on the fly between tube and solid state boxes, minus the awesome casework. Your C500 is a classic. I would not trade it for a one box Mcintosh preamp with dac built in.

The current upgrade path from the C500 would be the C 1100. I made the move a few years ago and never looked back. I have not heard the C 2700 but expect it would be a parallel move at best.

The C500 is a cost reduced version of the flagship C 1000 system, sharing the same internal architecture and most of the components.

Tom

I'll share j3brow's not widely shared opinion--you'd be trading down.

You didn't ask, but I notice from your signature that your (awesome) Mc electronics are a step above your (very good) CM10 speakers in terms of how most would allocate budget. If you have the bug to upgrade, maybe that would be the place to look?

After things return to normal, get your dealer to set up a comparison listening session for you. It would help a bit if we knew what your listening preferences are. My gut reaction is that the change may be a sideways move and I tend to agree with the thought offered above that speakers and (possibly) some room aberration may be a source of nagging dissatisfaction.

That said ...

Having actually listened to and purchased a C2700, permit me to offer a few thoughts. I had the opportunity to compare a C1100 and a C2700. The C2700 has significantly narrowed the sonic gap between the two chassis and one chassis Mac preamps. Much that was learned by McIntosh about topology in designing the C1100 was incorporated into the C2600 and carried over to the C2700. The C2700 is markedly improved in every way over the C2300 (and C2500) so making inferences by memory is a well-intended but tenuous exercise. Depending on what recordings you are listening to (or trying to listen to), the availability of tone controls could be the deciding factor for you. To be honest, I would not have a preamp without modern, clean tone controls (that can be bypassed) to deal with artistically important but sonically flawed recordings that no amount of cable upgrading, room tuning, etc. are likely to 'fix'. YMMV.

Have fun. Happy listening.

Respectfully,

Bob
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Sources: Koetsu Onyx Gold/Clearaudio Innovation Wood w/Universal Arm 9”; MCT500 CD/SACD transport; OPPO 205; NAD C446 Internet Tuner; Nakamichi 670ZX cassette deck. Electronics: MacIntosh C2700 preamp w/DA2 and MC462 power amp. Speakers: Wilson Yvettes Headphones: MacIntosh MHP 1000 Interconnects: Transparent G5 balanced and speaker cables; MCT - MCT500 -> C2700.Power cords: Transparent (on preamp, power amp and transport). Surge protected. Record cleaner: Kirmuss KA-RC-1.

Bob Bubeck: what preamp did you have befor the c2700?

What about the C70 compared to the C500T or C2700? Anyone lucky enough to hear a shootout of any of these?

The C70 would be my next choice after the C500T. I have never heard one, but it looks super cool!

A C2500, which is easily bested by the new C2700 in S/N, clarity of sound stage, apparent bass response, neutrality, modular DA2, etc. Hence, the upgrade. Hope this helps.

Respectfully,

Bob
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Sources: Koetsu Onyx Gold/Clearaudio Innovation Wood w/Universal Arm 9”; MCT500 CD/SACD transport; OPPO 205; NAD C446 Internet Tuner; Nakamichi 670ZX cassette deck. Electronics: MacIntosh C2700 preamp w/DA2 and MC462 power amp. Speakers: Wilson Yvettes Headphones: MacIntosh MHP 1000 Interconnects: Transparent G5 balanced and speaker cables; MCT - MCT500 -> C2700.Power cords: Transparent (on preamp, power amp and transport). Surge protected. Record cleaner: Kirmuss KA-RC-1 ultrasonic.