My first Audio Research!

[2fastdriving]

Originally Posted by SL1800

I have actually heard the Ref5 pre with a MC452 vs the C220 with the same MC452 and the Ref5 is way ahead of the C220. Is the C2300 way better than a C220? I don't know but I like it enough that I bought the C2300 that was Marc's. The Ref5 is just out of my budget.

I don't know anything about the c220 but the C2300 is a great preamp. The ref5 cost twice as much, but it certainly isn't twice as good. It's better, but it isn't night and day better. I suggest you start a new thread in the Mc forum or PM Dan aka jdandy for his very experienced opinion on that specific comparison.

[Lunchy]

I know I'm in the minority on this, but I for one didn't like the C2300 that I owned for several months and found the Ref5 (as well as the LS27) to be far superior in my system. After a while I began to doubt myself and had a friend bring over a C2500 that he was demoing and we both agreed we still did not like the Mac preamps. At the time I even had MC601s, which are gone now too.

And yes, I tried different tubes...Gold Lions, NOS RCA Blackplates and even NOS Bugle Boys...to no avail.

In my experience ARC preamps have great synergy with Mac amps. I'm not so sure the opposite would be true...

[2fastdriving]

Originally Posted by Lunchy

I know I'm in the minority on this, but I for one didn't like the C2300 that I owned for several months and found the Ref5 (as well as the LS27) to be far superior in my system. After a while I began to doubt myself and had a friend bring over a C2500 that he was demoing and we both agreed we still did not like the Mac preamps. At the time I even had MC601s, which are gone now too.

And yes, I tried different tubes...Gold Lions, NOS RCA Blackplates and even NOS Bugle Boys...to no avail.

In my experience ARC preamps have great synergy with Mac amps. I'm not so sure the opposite would be true...

Everyone has an opinion. I don't know if you are in the minority or not. I definitely think the Ref5SE is superior to the C2300, but after owning the C2300/MC452 combination and now the Ref5/Ref75 combination, I am impressed with the features, looks, build quality, and sound quality of the Mac stuff for the price. It's really priced competitively for what you get. But if you have the means, the Ref5/Ref75 is a nice upgrade...it's just the laws of diminishing returns that start to kick in.

[Lunchy]

I agree that the features and looks of the Mac gear are very nice. The downside of the looks in my opinion though, is all the light it casts into the listening room. I wish Mac gear had a dark mode....

[Baja Okla]

Originally Posted by 2fastdriving

Everyone has an opinion. I don't know if you are in the minority or not. I definitely think the Ref5SE is superior to the C2300, but after owning the C2300/MC452 combination and now the Ref5/Ref75 combination, I am impressed with the features, looks, build quality, and sound quality of the Mac stuff for the price. It's really priced competitively for what you get. But if you have the means, the Ref5/Ref75 is a nice upgrade...it's just the laws of diminishing returns that start to kick in.

Hi 2fast- I have Wilson Duettes. Glad to hear you liked Mac with Wilson speakers. I have long thought about going with Mac tubes, specifically the MC 275. it sounds like your experience with Mac preamps was encouraging. What
pre to use with the MC275 is what I am struggling with.