McIntosh Wish List 2023

[piolaxo]

Pete, and didn't you buy a second one? My memory is failing me here. I thought
you bought a replacement to later finding out that the former could be fixed...

[Vintage Pete]

Originally Posted by cleeds

Wha - wha- what?!?
I thought I had followed your troubles closely on that matter and that it had been resolved, as in the update on AA here.

I've obviously missed something. Will you please update us, perhaps in your original thread?

I'm sorry to read this recent news. Best of luck to you!

I have updated the original thread...

[prepress]

Originally Posted by MarSanz

Nice review, thanks for pointing it out. I am only using one source input (vinyl) and a standalone phono preamp into my C2300; not sure it would make sense to upgrade.

Interesting. It took me a while to settle on the C2300, as I had to get over some aversion to tubes and a preference for line stages, as I had a separate phono preamp at the time; I continued to use that modest Aragon 47k for a few years after buying the 2300. I ditched the Aragon eventually, as I realized the 2300's built-in phono stage was pretty good. I do wish the ground terminals weren't so big, however. Does the Sutherland outperform the 2300's built-in, or do you simply prefer to have an outboard phono stage?

I am mildly surprised that McIntosh doesn't make line stage preamps; I'd have bought one, and sooner that the time it took to come around to the 2300 (over a year).

[Formerly YB-2]

Originally Posted by prepress

Interesting. It took me a while to settle on the C2300, as I had to get over some aversion to tubes and a preference for line stages, as I had a separate phono preamp at the time; I continued to use that modest Aragon 47k for a few years after buying the 2300. I ditched the Aragon eventually, as I realized the 2300's built-in phono stage was pretty good. I do wish the ground terminals weren't so big, however. Does the Sutherland outperform the 2300's built-in, or do you simply prefer to have an outboard phono stage?

I am mildly surprised that McIntosh doesn't make line stage preamps; I'd have bought one, and sooner that the time it took to come around to the 2300 (over a year).

Have you rolled in good NOS tubes? Was a nice upgrade over the stock tubes in my C22.

[MarSanz]

Originally Posted by prepress

Interesting. It took me a while to settle on the C2300, as I had to get over some aversion to tubes and a preference for line stages, as I had a separate phono preamp at the time; I continued to use that modest Aragon 47k for a few years after buying the 2300. I ditched the Aragon eventually, as I realized the 2300's built-in phono stage was pretty good. I do wish the ground terminals weren't so big, however. Does the Sutherland outperform the 2300's built-in, or do you simply prefer to have an outboard phono stage?

I am mildly surprised that McIntosh doesn't make line stage preamps; I'd have bought one, and sooner that the time it took to come around to the 2300 (over a year).

The C2300’s phono stage is sufficient, I didn’t realize how much it was holding back my vinyl playback until I switched to the Sutherland, that’s when all the magic happened, I was shocked at the difference, it made my Dynavector XX2
MKII sound like a cart three times it’s worth.

Originally Posted by Formerly YB-2

Have you rolled in good NOS tubes? Was a nice upgrade over the stock tubes in my C22.

This is the way, I have a lovely set of Fisher branded Telefunkens and they are glorious.

[Formerly YB-2]

Originally Posted by MarSanz

This is the way, I have a lovely set of Fisher branded Telefunkens and they are glorious.

Nice.
Am always amused by folks who think that McIntosh can do no wrong so much that they will not roll tubes and stick with McIntosh branded (as if McIntosh made tubes).

[brownbear]

Originally Posted by Formerly YB-2

Nice.
Am always amused by folks who think that McIntosh can do no wrong so much that they will not roll tubes and stick with McIntosh branded (as if McIntosh made tubes).

I went with new Gold Lions in my C22 and the results were spectacular. I will do the same in my MCD12000 soon enough.

[Formerly YB-2]

Originally Posted by brownbear

I went with new Gold Lions in my C22 and the results were spectacular. I will do the same in my MCD12000 soon enough.

Yes. I burn in the originals for about 200hr just to insure they are all good and then put them on the shelf for a rainy day.

[prepress]

Originally Posted by MarSanz

The C2300’s phono stage is sufficient, I didn’t realize how much it was holding back my vinyl playback until I switched to the Sutherland, that’s when all the magic happened, I was shocked at the difference, it made my Dynavector XX2
MKII sound like a cart three times it’s worth.



This is the way, I have a lovely set of Fisher branded Telefunkens and they are glorious.

Dangerous food for thought. I'd figured that to better the C2300's phono stage I'd have to spend around $1.5–2k, and compiled a list of phono stages around that price range. I have Telefunken Black diamond tubes (made by JJ) in the 2300's phono section now, and they sound good. But I haven't been playing records for a while now and decided I might be wasting money to go for a new phono stage, plus there are other things I'm taking a hard look at right now, like replacing my equipment racks. But I've begun buying records again, and figure I should get reacquainted with my current setup. If after doing that I think something's missing then I will revisit that phono stage list.

Meantime, I see McIntosh has a stand-alone graphic equalizer out. I have an issue with room modes (when I stand up, bass drops off), but don't think an equalizer is the answer. Am I wrong?

[prepress]

Originally Posted by Formerly YB-2

Have you rolled in good NOS tubes? Was a nice upgrade over the stock tubes in my C22.

I have Telefunken Black Diamond tubes (made by JJ) in the 2300's phono section now, but never tried the other tubes on hand in there (NP Mullards, Gold Lions, JJ Hi-Performance Gold Pins, NOS Amperex). It would be a lot of trouble, but MAYBE I'd do that before spending on a new phono stage.