Quote:
Originally Posted by Jerome W
As I said I lost completely my interest in McIntosh tube preamps. They are just too far from the other manufacturers.
The C1100 may be wonderful though. They might have learned finally how to make a stunning tube preamp. It just took too much time to keep my curiosity lighted.
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Historically speaking and you probably recall the shootout I did between the C500T and my friends ARC REF 3 a number of years back. In the end, the C500T took honors.
Fast forward a few years after that, I sold the C500T combo and purchased a highly raved VAC Signature MK IIa. After a month or two & the dust was settling on the unit (newness wore off is what I'm alluding to), everyday I played digital or analog, in the back of my small cranium, I knew something wasn't right. It sounded good; but, not as great as with the C500T. I lived with that thought for 4 years of more. It got to the point, with my love for good music and micro details, dynamics, It became more of a "okay, I'll turn the rig on, because I've got this beast of a system in my living room, may as well use it." I wasn't happy and content as one would expect.
I began looking around for a used C500T or a 1000T series. Then as if the late Frank McIntosh heard my internal screams, the C1100 came to market.
Enough said. The VAC went out, the C1100 came in. I'm back in audio heaven -- everything I missed with the C500T was back but better with the updated & current C1100 combo.
I can't explain it other than the fact when the VAC was connected, the balanced symmetry I was expecting and in which it received very high audio press praise was AWOL.
So, for me and my experience, I'll never try another brand preamp with McIntosh MC2301's. It's just too expensive & I don't want to relive the feelings I had when the VAC was in the system. Too painful.
Best Sir,
Bob