Accuphase C3850 Preamp with MC2301

[speeder]

Has anyone experienced this combo?

Will that be a good match?

[Masterlu]

speeder... Welcome to AA!

[Masterlu]

Personally, I have never cross matched any Accuphase gear. That said, I’m sure it would be awesome.

[speeder]

Actually I'm in the full gear of McIntosh (C1100 + MEN220 + MP1100 + MC2301) but due to space limitation, I am thinking if I should change my C1100 to a one-piece preamp to save space.

Someone has told me Mac and Accuphase don't mix together and I am unsure of that is true.

[substance]

Originally Posted by speeder

Actually I'm in the full gear of McIntosh (C1100 + MEN220 + MP1100 + MC2301) but due to space limitation, I am thinking if I should change my C1100 to a one-piece preamp to save space.

Someone has told me Mac and Accuphase don't mix together and I am unsure of that is true.

That’s ironic because the men220 is very likely based on accuphase gear.

[Charles]

Speeder, personally I wouldn't do it. The reasons are multiple: 1) Mac makes some great one piece preamps. The new C-70 comes to mind right away. 2) The C-70 is tube and is designed to be synergistic with the 2301. Years ago I mixed preamps and power amps from different manufacturers. When doing so you have to be very careful that the output impedance of the preamp is compatible with the input impedance of the power amp. There are many other issues I won't go into also. Also, for me personally if I am going with a tube preamp I am going with a tube power amp of the same manufacturer also. I don't like mixing tube and SS preamps or amps.

In regards to Accuphase you must realize it is at least two notches up the high end ladder from Mac. Accuphase is competitive with Dag, Boulder, AR etc. Also there are the aesthetics. The Accuphase might not look good in your rack.

Let me make a comment about Mac. I'm a Mac aficionado. Do I think Mac can match the sound of any of the above in a head to head? No. But Mac will come very close if the Mac pieces are carefully chosen. Notice my system. My D1100 is $7,500 and is designed to function as a digital preamp DAC. It is absolutely minimalist in design, dual mono, and fully balanced. Exactly what I am looking for in a preamp. Then there is the built in DAC thus combining 2 very expensive pieces of equipment (separate analog preamp and stand alone DAC and very importantly eliminating extremely expensive IC's, not to mention excessive weight and cabinet space). The small signal (the most important and delicate of all signals) remains digital until passed through an extremely well made analog preamp section. I have been very pleased with my 1.25KW's. They are by far and away the best amps I have ever heard from Mac. They are a great improvement over the 1.2's. Much smoother and more relaxed sound with all the detail one could ever want. I believe their sound to be synergistic with my D1100. At $12,500 a piece they are in my opinion the best amp for the money in the high end today. So for about the cost of one mono topline Accuphase amp you get a the whole kit and ka-bootle. This to me is true value and I like that.

Now as I said you get all this for many many thousands of dollars less than the cost of the equivalent Accuphase, Esoteric, AR, Dag, Vivaldi etc. rigs. But if a person wants the best and can afford it, IMO Mac is not my choice. Ultimately, you have to remember these companies exist because their equipment sounds the best. Then it becomes a matter of taste as to what house sound you choose. But for me, I'll stick with Mac.

____________________
Charles
Amps: McIntosh 1.25KW’s (3)
Preamp and DAC: McIntosh D1100
Sources: McIntosh MCD1100 SACD player, MVP881 BR player, MVP851 DVD player, MR87 tuner, Marantz 510LV Laser Disc player, ASUS laptop USB (JRiver Media Center 23)
Speakers: Wilson Audio Specialties Alexx
Sub-woofer: Wilson Audio Specialties Thor’s Hammer (1) and Wilson Watch Controller
Cables main system: Audioquest Wel Signature speaker cables and IC’s; Dragon power cords (8)
Sub-woofer system: Audioquest Redwood speaker cable; Wolf IC and Hurricane power cords (2)
Power conditioners: Audioquest Niagara 7000 (1) and Niagara 5000 (2); (4) 20-amp lines

[Weirdcuba]

I had the 2301’s combined with a c-3800. While the 2301s were magnificent with mac gear, the c-3800 went into hyperdrive when I added accuphase a-200s to the mix. The 2301s are stunning, but they need other mac gear around them to get the most out of them. If you go all the way to a c-3850, I would suggest you go to accuphase amps to get the best out of it.

Look at my signature - I’m all in on accuphase synergy, which I find stunning (and expensive). That is by no means a bash on the 2301s, which are awesome.

Of course, all of this is to my ear, in my system, on content that I like. YMMV.

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by substance

That’s ironic because the men220 is very likely based on accuphase gear.

With due respect the MEN220 is not at all based on the Accuphase DG58. In fact, they can’t even be compared; it’s Apples and Oranges.