Some thoughts on my new (to me) C2300

[Tom R.]

First, my brief audio history: when I was a kid, I saw The Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show. I've been buying records and listening to music ever since.

I bought my first high-end system in 1995--all Linn. All that remains of that system today is my LP12 TT and two pairs of Linn ICs I haven't replaced yet.

A few years ago, my Linn preamp broke down. Linn couldn't (or wouldn't) fix it. On a lark, I ordered a conrad-johnson Classic SE preamp. It wasn't the be-all and end-all of preamps, but it did ignite my love of tube amplification. No knock on cj--I'm sure I would love a GAT, if I could afford one.

Looking to build a new synergistic system I decided on Shindo and bought an Aurieges preamp for starters. My speakers and amp were pulled in second-hand from here and there, while I put away my pennies for a Shindo amp--which would also require a pair of much higher sensitivity speakers than my B&Ws. Having more will than wallet, as someone once said, time passed. An audiophile friend showed up at my door one day with his relatively new C22 and said, "Listen to this for a couple days, I bet you'll want one too." He left it with me for six months, during which time I came to love the tone controls, the mono switch, the looks of it, and the big, clean sound.

I subscribed to AA and began to see gear for sale. When a C2300 was put up for sale, I knew I was going to buy it, even though I dithered for a few days. And now it's here.

I promise not to post anything this long again, but before I say anything about my impressions, I want to share something unexpected that happened when I hooked it up and turned it on. For starters, I selected Sgt. Pepper on Tidal and sat down to listen. My fifteen year old son, who listens to music on his phone through ear buds, and who has never shown interest in the audio gear in the living room, came in to check it out. You can imagine my answers to his questions, but here are his questions and comments: "You got it, eh." "What are those blue things?" "I love those needles." "What are these green glowing things inside here?" "What do tubes do?" "What are tone controls?" "How do you turn it up?" "That knob is smooth." "The sound is smooth. Much smoother than your other one. The whole thing is smooth." He picked up a pair of headphones and we plugged them in. "Go to that song about when I get older." He listened for a couple minutes with a big grin on his face, then said, "I've never heard music sound so good. It's like a singer singing, instead of a recording of a singer, know what I mean?" I said, "You know, if we take care of this, you could still be listening to it when you're my age." He sat down in the listening chair, picked up the remote and said, "Yeah, we're not selling this." Looks like I'm going to have to fight him for the chair, the choice of music and the remote. Thanks, McIntosh!

My own early thoughts: the Shindo is obviously a fine piece of gear, and has its own charms. It is especially wonderful with jazz and other intimate forms of music--and that's what I found myself listening to mostly. For better or worse, the McIntosh doesn't favor any one type of music, and I am listening to rock and symphonic music again as well as jazz. I don't know if I will part with my Shindo preamp or not, but I know the McIntosh is here to stay in my main system, and for the first time in a long while, I know exactly how I want to build out the system. Unfortunately, I have to do it one component at a time, but that's fun too. Next up: an MC452!

Tom

[Mahalo]

Nice story. Put a smile on my face.

[vintage_tube]

Originally Posted by Tom R.

First, my brief audio history: when I was a kid, I saw The Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show. I've been buying records and listening to music ever since.

Next up: an MC452!

Tom

Enjoyed your post Tom -- and the way you told of your sons interest & enthusiasm.

BTW, Sir, there is a MC452 in the marketplace for a nice price & we like long posts.

Just

Best to you,

Bob

[Cohibaman]

Nice story. Congrats on the C2300 and your budding audiophile son.

[miketuason]

Your kid got good taste.

[jzzmusician]

Loved your story. I remember when my daughter's boyfriend, (hopefully future son in law) came to stay with us for a week. He saw my modest rig and asked about "those things." Those things were the tubes on my Primaluna HP integrated. I asked him what he would like to hear, put it on and watched him as he sat back on the couch and closed his eyes. When the song ended he said, "I've never heard music played like that before."

It was a good day. He and I have become friends for life.

- Bob

[crwilli]

Tom, It was fun to read your story. It makes me very happy to read of your appreciation for the C-2300! Craig

[80B]

Tom, great story and something to hold in common for years.

[PeterMusic]

Great post, Tom. We have similar taste--when it's time for something new between the C2300 and the 804s, I think you'd like the MC275. The warmth of the Mac tubes combined with the resolution of the B&Ws is a great match.

Agreed on Sgt Pepper too! You might also check out older Steely Dan.

Rock on!

[For The Love of Music]

You were able to get your teenager engaged with equipment and song, this is rare and very cool!