#1
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C2300 phono stage revisted
I have recently been pairing down some of my gear, with limited success. One piece I did unload was the Manley Chinook SE phono stage. I thought it would take me some time to readjust to being without it. Once I 're-energized' the C2300 MC stage, I found out I did not know what I really had in the C2300. I was so focused on getting an outboard phono stage in the budget I had set myself to stay in, I have discovered I did not really improve my vinyl listening pleasure, via my ears - it changed but was more of a lateral move. By removing a couple of sets of ICs (phono stage > KAB RF-1 > C2300) and shortening the signal path, the MC/MM stage in the C2300 is very good as is. I am only putting this info out there so others may take the time to enjoy what you have before trying to 'improve' upon what is in your possession - many times it is a lateral move, at best (akin to a second marriage I am told). I am sure if I had set my budget to $4K and greater I may have had a more obvious improvement. That wasn't in the cards at that moment in time. As always, YMMV, but audio opinions are always welcomed on this site, and I have just posted mine.
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“Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans” |
#2
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I’ve always thought the MC stage in the C 2300 is exceptional. It’s a SS/tube hybrid so it is very quiet. Glad to see you’re enjoying your C 2300!
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Main System: Amati Futura Mains Amati Homage VOX Center, Proac Response 1sc Rears, Three MC2301's for L,C,R MC 602 for the rears C 1100, MX 151, MCD 1100, MR 80 Nottingham Dais with Wave Mechanic Sumiko Palo Santos Presentation SurfacePro 3, RPi 4, ROON, WW Starlight Platinum USB, Schiit Yggdrasil, Benchmark DAC3 HGC MX 151, OppO BDP-95, JVC RS-500 DILA projector, 106" diagonal Stewart Luxus Screenwall Deluxe with Studiotek 130 G3 material. Lake House: Ohm F, MC 275V, C2300, MR 77, Rega P3 OnDeck: McIntosh MAC 4300v |
#3
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Been using my C2300 for years for listening to my vinyl and have been more than happy.
Ed
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2 Channel - Esoteric KO3, VPI Classic, C2300, MS300, MEN220, Bryston 7b SST, B&W 802D, JL F113 (2), MDA 1000, Olive 4HD, Sonos w/Remedy, WW Silver Eclipse ICs , Stillpoints Ultra mini, MR85 tuner, Aurender A10 server Headphone listening - Audeze LCD3 with Moon Audio Black Dragon Balanced cables, Sennheiser HD650, WW silver Eclipse Nano cable, Bryston BHA-1 amp HT - MX135, OPPO 103D, B&W CDM7, B&W center, Sony 65" LCD |
#4
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I also have been very happy with the C2300 phono stage
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#5
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Agreed it's very good. I figured you'd indeed need to spend around $3k - $4k to beat it. I sold the C2300 and used the extra money to purchase a used C500T instead.
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Turntable: VPI Prime Signature Cart: Benz Micro LP-S DAC: Lampizator Golden Atlantic Preamp: Mac C500T, Mac MX121 Amps: Mac MC75 * 2 60th Anniv., Mac MC205 Speakers: Dynaudio C1 Platinum, B&W 804S, Totems Headphone amp: Glenn 300B Headphones: LCD-4 |
#6
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Can't go wrong with a C500T
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#7
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C2300 phono stage revisted
I have always been happy with the phono stage inside of the McIntosh preamps that I have owned including the C2300, C500T, C500P, and now the C1100. Comparing to other phono stages, I have also owned Zesto Audio Andros and Esoteric E-03 phono stages. Each time, I sold the out board phono and went back to the McIntosh. The McIntosh phono circuit is not an afterthought, thrown into the preamp as lagniappe. I remember once reading where Ron-C described how some customers viewed the C2300 as an excellent $6000 phono preamp with line level preamp thrown in for good measure. These days, I would love to hear the Ron Evans designed MP1100 phono stage and compare it to my C1100.
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Preamp: McIntosh C1100T/C1100C, McIntosh MX180 Amp: McIntosh MC611 (2), MC601 (3), MI254 Digital: McIntosh D1100, McIntosh MCT450, Meridian 808v6, Aurender N20, Aurender ACS10, Oppo 203 Analog: McIntosh MT10, Hana Umami Red Phono preamp: Simaudio Moon 610LP, 820S Signal cables: WW Gold Eclipse 7 speaker cables; Shunyata Sigma v2 XLR (2); Sigma v1 XLR (2), Transparent Ref XL (MM2) XLR; WW Silver Eclipse 7 (4) Digital cables: Shunyata Omega USB, Omega Ethernet, Sigma Ethernet; WW Platinum 7 Coax, AES/EBU Switch: Innuos PhoenixNet Power: Audioquest Niagara 7000, Audioquest 5000, Audioquest Dragon, Hurricane PC, Shunyata Alpha HC, AQ NRG Edison outlets, (8) 20 amp dedicated lines, 125 amp subpanel Speakers: Wilson Sasha DAW, Dynaudio Contour 30, Dynaudio Contour 25C Subs: REL s/812 (6), REL s/510 (3) Accessories: HRS M3X2 shelf (MT10), Stillpoints Ultra II v2 w/ bases (21), Ultra SS (12), Mini (12), LPi v1 Sound treaments: Artnovion Last edited by j3brow; 06-12-2019 at 08:11 AM. |
#8
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Im also very happy with the phono on my C2300- use British Military grade 12AX7s- fab sound.
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#9
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I love the phono stage in my C1100. It’s making it hard to swap out to an ARC Ref 6 as I would need to also purchase a decent phono stage.
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#10
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When I owned my C2300, I though the phono stage was very good. I actually tried some A/B comparisons with two other phono pres, the highly regarded Manley Labs Chinook and then a second comparison when I got my ARC Reference Phono 2 SE. The C2300's phono section was very very close to the Manley. I could hear a slight difference but it definitely wasn't night and day. When I compared the two when the ARC piece came, there it became apparent which was the better phono stage. The ARC bested both by quite a big margin as well it should for the price. You could live quite happily with the phono section in the 2300 and never look back.
- Buck
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Library: Speakers: Avalon Acoustics Isis, Subwoofers: (2) REL Acoustics 212SE Amplification: D’agostino Momentum preamplifier, D’agostino S250 stereo amplifier Digital: dCS Rossini CD/SACD transport, dCS Rossini DAC/streamer/master clock. Analog: Brinkmann Taurus table, Lyra Etna Lambda, Audio Research Ref. Phono 3 |
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