Mcintosh C-33 Preamp

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by Dj_AmTraX

I like C40 and C42. C42 is best bang for the buck.

DJ.......My opinion is just the opposite. I have owned both the C40 and the C42 preamps. The C42 gains remote control, and McIntosh's first version of their optical volume control which was totally linear without the standard volume taper, and also presented the first digital readout window for volume numbers and source selection. The C42 also has a ten band EQ, but the top frequency range was lowered to 4K.

The C40 doesn't offer remote control but does offer a number of other great features not available on the C42. The C40 has a five band EQ, with the top frequency set to adjust centered on 10K. The C40 has the McIntosh Compounder circuit, plus an internal 20 watt RMS per channel stereo power amplifier with Power Guard, including a terminal strip on the rear apron that can drive a set of speakers from this internal power amp. This same internal 20 watts RMS per channel amplifier can be switched to drive the headphone jack on the front of the C40. This is a very useful extra feature, and the C40 was the last McIntosh preamplifier to see this internal amplifier as part of the total package. The C40 has continuously variable loudness compensation, plus a Mode selection switch that allows selection of left, right, left+right, stereo and stereo reverse outputs. Both of these functions were eliminated from the C42.

The C42 does have 3 sets of balanced outputs to the C40's one pair of balanced outputs and two switched pair of unbalanced outputs. The C42 has a single pair of balanced inputs, the C40 has only unbalanced inputs.

There were some improvements to the C42 at the expense of losing some very useful preamplifier functions available on the C40. Obviously the choice is up to each individual, but if I were to purchase either the C40 or the C42, I would select the C40.

[cmalak]

JD...sorry. I confused your tt for the Clearaudo Concept instead of the SOTA. As for my question regarding the C33, please remember I have no experience with any McIntosh gear, which is why I tossed it out as a question (including Dan in the question and all other AA'ers who are much more familiar with McIntosh gear both vintage and modern). I based my question purely on the age of the design plus anything that has a 5-band equalizer in the signal path to me starts to degrade the signal path (i know i am going to get some angry responses on this observation ). But I have no personal experience with any of this equipment. I throw it out purely as a question for you to consider and for other AA'ers who know the equipment to comment on.

As for Stephen's suggestions and the price range, I am sure he can guide you better in that regard. I do believe he was suggesting buying used to get them within your budget.

[Vintage Pete]

Originally Posted by jdandy

DJ.......My opinion is just the opposite. I have owned both the C40 and the C42 preamps. The C42 gains remote control, and McIntosh's first version of their optical volume control which was totally linear without the standard volume taper, and also presented the first digital readout window for volume numbers and source selection. The C42 also has a ten band EQ, but the top frequency range was lowered to 4K.

The C40 doesn't offer remote control but does offer a number of other great features not available on the C42. The C40 has a five band EQ, with the top frequency set to adjust centered on 10K. The C40 has the McIntosh Compounder circuit, plus an internal 20 watt RMS per channel stereo power amplifier with Power Guard, including a terminal strip on the rear apron that can drive a set of speakers from this internal power amp. This same internal 20 watts RMS per channel amplifier can be switched to drive the headphone jack on the front of the C40. This is a very useful extra feature, and the C40 was the last McIntosh preamplifier to see this internal amplifier as part of the total package. The C40 has continuously variable loudness compensation, plus a Mode selection switch that allows selection of left, right, left+right, stereo and stereo reverse outputs. This function was eliminated from the C42.

The C42 does have 3 sets of balanced outputs to the C40's one pair of balanced outputs and two switched pair of unbalanced outputs. The C42 has a single pair of balanced inputs, the C40 has only unbalanced inputs.

There were some improvements to the C42 at the expense of losing some very useful preamplifier functions available on the C40. Obviously the choice is up to each individual, but if I were to purchase either the C40 or the C42, I would select the C40.

See post #10

Pete

[jdandy]

Cyril.......One nice thing about the C40, and the C42 is both have EQ bypass selectors that completely remove the EQ circuits from the signal path, so if you are a purest, and I tend to be one, then you can choose to eliminate the tone circuits entirely.

Equalization is not inherently a dirty word. It is standard practice during recording, mixing, and mastering. It is a necessary evil for accurate vinyl playback (RIAA equalization), not to mention cartridge capacitance and resistance loading. When applied correctly with quality circuits and parts, EQ doesn't have to mean something less than high performance.

[cmalak]

Dan...everything you say makes sense to me. I tend to think of preamps in purist terms - all i need is a straightwire with gain, an input selector and a volume control. Keep it nice and simple. But I hear you on EQ especially if you can bypass it in the signal path when you want to. Thx for the feedback.