Current production C22

[Bones13]

Awaiting the renovation of my hand me down MC60 monoblocks. Evaluating new pre-amps. Looking at sorts of them. Came across the C22 which would match the retro vibe of these amps. I had previously mostly considered the C2600. (In the McIntosh thought line)

I can’t find much in the way of reviews of the newest iteration, just people reminiscing about back when I had one..., or how they just scored an old one. My dad had a C20, which was not recommended for restoration.

How do the internals - line stage and phono stage rate against the C2600, which is $1K more (I think) and has a DAC. I’m thinking my BDA-3 is a better DAC, and I might consider a streamer/DAC in the future.

Too many options, so delay and research.

Thoughts, advice?

[stereo_5]

The C22 was reviewed by The Absolute Sound when it first came out. Check their archives online.

[Bones13]

I also just read elsewhere that the most recent C22 production has ceased, but it’s still on their website.

[alkizz]

From my research, I understood that the C2600 phono stage was second only to the C1100T but the C22 was exceptional as well.

I didn't dig into the line stage but I imagine they are close in quality.

According to the local dealer here in S Florida the C22 was being discontinued because the knobs they used are no longer available?

[Stahle]

Originally Posted by alkizz

According to the local dealer here in S Florida the C22 was being discontinued because the knobs they used are no longer available?

I was told by one of the McIntosh reps when I went to a local McIntosh event that it was actually the rocker switches that are no longer being produced and thus McIntosh was forced to cease production of the C22. I heard rumor that they might have enough for another production run, but that is just hearsay.

[alkizz]

Yep! That's it. Knobs, rockers, whatever. Haha

Originally Posted by Stahle

I was told by one of the McIntosh reps when I went to a local McIntosh event that it was actually the rocker switches that are no longer being produced and thus McIntosh was forced to cease production of the C22. I heard rumor that they might have enough for another production run, but that is just hearsay.

[W9TR]

I understand that the current C22 is based off of the C2300. Makes sense as they were introduced close to the same time.

If the above statement is true, the C22 re-issue has an outstanding MM/MC phono stage and is otherwise a great performer.

I would not get an original C 22 due to age and really high resale prices.

The re-issue will have the sealed relay input switching and outstanding electronic volume and balance controls.

Tom

[Charles]

I think it's important to know that the current C22 is not completely faithful to the vintage C22. I know this because my father owned both a C20 and a C22 and as a kid very interested in hi fidelity I became very familiar with both. The vintage C22 had individual tone controls (both bass and treble) for the R, L channels. The C20 did not. The current version of the C22 is like the C20. I don't know if this makes any difference in your decision.

[62caddy]

Originally Posted by Bones13

My dad had a C20, which was not recommended for restoration.

I don't know about that as the C20 is absolutely a worthy candidate for refurbishment and often is. The complex 5-section volume control had a reputation for being troublesome but solutions have been developed which underscores how highly the C20 is regarded and the lengths owners will go to preserve them.

If you have a C20, my advice would be to send it out to Audio Classics. It's a classic unit that would be the perfect match to your MC60 amplifiers.

[Stahle]

I’m surprised that they can’t source another rocker switch.