McIntosh’s Flagship C1100 Tube Preamplifier....

[Timobi]

Thx Tom! I appreciate your summary. Thank you for verifying this when you get home. TRULY appreciate it.

I like the sound of what I am hearing from XLR. But didn't want to be missing detail.

Last question...FOR NOW

is there any difference to increasing the gain on the input or just increasing the volume?

[W9TR]

is there any difference to increasing the gain on the input or just increasing the volume?

Hi Tim,
No difference, they both control the same master volume circuit in the preamp.

[Timobi]

[W9TR]

Hi Tim,
So I setup the C 1100 with my Audio Precision and measured the difference between the gain for the balanced input and the unbalanced input. I kept everything equal otherwise.

The gain of the unbalanced input was exactly 6.0 dB higher than the balanced input.

This matches the McIntosh published spec, although they expressed it in a slightly different way:
“Sensitivity (for rated output)
High Level 450mV Unbalanced, 900 mV Balanced”

The 2:1 gain difference is 6.02 dB.



The C 1100 is just off to the left and out of the picture.

The THD+N at 1 kHz wasn’t bad either at 0.00068 %.
Actually any distortion was well below the noise.

Now back to listening!

Tom

[Timobi]

Thank you Tom! Excellent. And truly appreciate you taking the time to perform this. Seriously thanks!

Tim

We've had some pretty bad storms the past few days so I've had the gear unhooked! But today, even with rain all day, I re-connected and listening to the XLRs as I type this.

[W9TR]

Happy to help out! Let us know what connection sounds best. I run XLR’s on everything except the tuner and the phono inputs, but have never compared XLR to RCA.

[keef]

Hey Mac owners I need some more input after reading this thread.

Considering a new preamp to mate with my 501's which I have owned for several years. I would use it primarily as a line stage, no real need for a phono stage as I have an excellent outboard phono pre, and could see myself ocasionally using a built in DAC. I find vinyl so far superior to digital so it is really my only medium.

I prefer tubes in the preamp stage, would it be smarter to baby step into a 2600 or go for an 1100? I have never owned a Mac preamp but love the 501's. Like the Fly said...help me!

[crwilli]

Having just moved from a C-2300 to a C-1100, I would not hesitate to suggest moving to the C-1100. It is a statement piece that among other things, has far better separation than the C-2300.

All depends on your budget.

[Timobi]

Originally Posted by crwilli

Having just moved from a C-2300 to a C-1100, I would not hesitate to suggest moving to the C-1100. It is a statement piece that among other things, has far better separation than the C-2300.

All depends on your budget.

I had the newer c2600 and it was terrific. But yea, the flagship C1100 is truly a wonderful preamp. Immediately the space was larger, detailed, and black black background.

No regrets. Worth the $$.

[keef]

Thanks for your reply crwilli. I did follow your journey, it was helpful. Did you say budget? Most audiophiles are like the Gov, we don't need no stinkin budget! LOL!