AudioAficionado.org  

Go Back   AudioAficionado.org > Manufacturers Forums > McIntosh Audio

McIntosh Audio A Tradition of Excellence

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #11  
Old 05-30-2018, 06:16 PM
MisterBritt MisterBritt is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Santa Fe, NM
Posts: 708
Default

If you're planning on using an external DAC, I'd put the C-22 Commemorative Edition circa 1995 on my radar for consideration. It would be a sweet match for the Mc-60 amps. I've never owned one and it might pre-date the inclusion of XLRs if that is a consideration. But it would look great and I'd bet it performs like a champ!

http://www.roger-russell.com/preamps.htm
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 05-30-2018, 07:32 PM
Bones13's Avatar
Bones13 Bones13 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Lost in L. A. (Lower Alabama)
Posts: 60
Default

No XLR on my MC60s. At this point, if I get a McIntosh Pre, it will probably be the C2600, and eventually get a nice streamer for the internal DAC. The microRendu solution would be fine initially.

I looked again, my dad’s old pre-amp is a C30, a solid state pre-amp from that period, not a C20, I was mistaken. Partly why my tech recommended against it, as he recommends tubed pre with tubed amp.

Most people happy with the C52/C2600 DAC currently?
__________________
-Michael-
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 05-30-2018, 09:35 PM
62caddy's Avatar
62caddy 62caddy is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,069
Default

C30 is also very well regarded preamplifier and relatively rare. Extremely quiet phono stage and specs rank among the finest preamplifiers being manufactured today. Most switching is done electronically which is another plus.

So long as the amplifiers receive a quality input signal is what counts, not so much whether the amplifier is tube or SS.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 05-31-2018, 08:31 PM
PeterMusic PeterMusic is online now
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 636
Default

I just purchased a C22 a few months ago--it's been wonderful. To the specific question at hand, vs the C2600--my dealer told me the only internal difference between the two was the DAC. I already had a Schiit Yggdrasil, which I assumed (without testing) was superior to the Mac's internal.

One important point is that DACs are improving a lot faster than preamps. So I think you'd be best getting the C22 (at a clearance price?) or its replacement; and biting the bullet on a Yggdrasil or similar DAC now.
__________________
Clearaudio Ovation with Tracer Dynavector KARAT 17DX Naim Uniti Core Schiit Yggdrasil McIntosh C22/MC275 Wilson TuneTots B&W DB3D Nordost QKore/QBase/Frey 2 Transparent Super IsoAcoustics GAIA II
Stax SR-009S with SRM-700T
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 05-31-2018, 09:05 PM
GeAllan70's Avatar
GeAllan70 GeAllan70 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Toronto,On
Posts: 1,953
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by PeterMusic View Post
I just purchased a C22 a few months ago--it's been wonderful.


__________________
David St. Hubbins "I believe virtually everything I read"
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 05-31-2018, 10:19 PM
kubla36's Avatar
kubla36 kubla36 is offline
Senior Member

 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 127
Default Current production C22

The manual for the C22 says it uses 6 12AX7A tubes. The C2600 has 5 12AX7A and one 12AT7 (on line side). So there are some differences in the circuits. I only know cause I swapped out the line side to Gold Lion based on recommendations here.

I’ve not heard the C22. I enjoy my C2600. But use a Gumby for the DAC. The C2600 DAC seemed better than the D100, but I prefer the R2R sound from the Gumby.

Last edited by kubla36; 05-31-2018 at 10:25 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 06-01-2018, 12:28 AM
ismelllikepoop ismelllikepoop is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 149
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by PeterMusic View Post
I just purchased a C22 a few months ago--it's been wonderful. To the specific question at hand, vs the C2600--my dealer told me the only internal difference between the two was the DAC. I already had a Schiit Yggdrasil, which I assumed (without testing) was superior to the Mac's internal.

One important point is that DACs are improving a lot faster than preamps. So I think you'd be best getting the C22 (at a clearance price?) or its replacement; and biting the bullet on a Yggdrasil or similar DAC now.
where's a c22 for clearance?
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 06-01-2018, 03:05 PM
PeterMusic PeterMusic is online now
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 636
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by ismelllikepoop View Post
where's a c22 for clearance?
Assuming the earlier posts are correct that the C22 is discontinued--I assume that there are demo systems across the dealer network that are about to go on sale. Plus maybe some new units sitting in dealers' stockrooms.
__________________
Clearaudio Ovation with Tracer Dynavector KARAT 17DX Naim Uniti Core Schiit Yggdrasil McIntosh C22/MC275 Wilson TuneTots B&W DB3D Nordost QKore/QBase/Frey 2 Transparent Super IsoAcoustics GAIA II
Stax SR-009S with SRM-700T
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 06-06-2018, 09:28 PM
Bones13's Avatar
Bones13 Bones13 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Lost in L. A. (Lower Alabama)
Posts: 60
Default

My “local” Mac dealer (2 hours away) says the C22 is available to order. I assume there is still inventory to acquire. I am calling him tomorrow to discuss C22 vs C2600. I agree with the DAC changes still on an exponential curve, unlike the phono stage evolution.

I can totally see me with a C22 next, keeping the microRendu+BDA-3 for now, and saving up for Lumin X1, or most current, later on. I love my Roon, so Aurender is out, unless they add it at some point.
__________________
-Michael-
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 06-06-2018, 09:59 PM
Formerly YB-2's Avatar
Formerly YB-2 Formerly YB-2 is online now
Retired

 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: NJ Shore
Posts: 8,404
Default

Sales of the C22 are likely low enough that the cost of sourcing/inventory for a different switch plus the cost of redesign, no matter how small, including a different board layout, etc., are not a good investment.

I was also told that the new C22 is pretty much the same as the C2300. As such, it will not sound very much like the original C20 or C22. There was a "commemorative edition" C22 in the mid-90s that had 7 tubes. Perhaps you could find one of those as a middle-ground. Not being a fan of built-in DACs, I think the new C22 would be an excellent match for refurbished MC60s.
__________________
Glenn...
Clearaudio SM Pro Focal Bathys JLA 10" Dominion Kuzma Stabi S w/MC & MM Magnepan 1,7i McIntosh MA8950 Oppo 203 Roon Nucleus Rose Hifi RS150B Shunyata Gemini-4 Sony ST-A6B, TA-F6B & PS-X75 Sorane SA1.2 & TA-1L Stillpoints LP1v2 WW Pt, Au & Ag

Last edited by Formerly YB-2; 06-06-2018 at 10:03 PM.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Audioaficionado.org tested by Norton Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:07 PM.



Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.10
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
©Copyright 2009-2023 AudioAficionado.org.Privately owned, All Rights Reserved.
Audio Aficionado Sponsors
AudioAficionado Subscriber
AudioAficionado Subscriber
Inspire By Dennis Had
Inspire By Dennis Had
Harmonic Resolution Systems
Harmonic Resolution Systems
Wyred4Sound
Wyred4Sound
Dragonfire Acoustics
Dragonfire Acoustics
GIK Acoustics
GIK Acoustics
Esoteric
Esoteric
AC Infinity
AC Infinity
JL Audio
JL Audio
Add Powr
Add Powr
Accuphase - Soulution
Accuphase - Soulution
Audio by E
Audio by E
Canton
Canton
Bryston
Bryston
WireWorld Cables
WireWorld Cables
Stillpoints
Stillpoints
Bricasti Design
Bricasti Design
Furutech
Furutech
Shunyata Research
Shunyata Research
Legend Audio & Video
Legend Audio & Video