C2300 phono stage revisted

[miner]

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.

[W9TR]

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!

[edkoz]

Been using my C2300 for years for listening to my vinyl and have been more than happy.
Ed

[1KW]

I also have been very happy with the C2300 phono stage

[leftside]

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.

[1KW]

Originally Posted by leftside

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.

Can't go wrong with a C500T

[j3brow]

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.

[NZ421291]

Im also very happy with the phono on my C2300- use British Military grade 12AX7s- fab sound.

[Jdsmoke]

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.

[audioguy3107]

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