Upgrade time! New preamp on the way!

[Marmarosa]

Dan,

Thank´s for you quick and really helpful answer.

By the way, how have you connected me with Santander ?

[djwhog]

Congrats, that is a great step up, I really like that preamp a lot

[htradtk]

First, Congrats to Buck on your C2300! I too just got a new preamp the McIntosh C50, also from Audio Classics. I'm using it with my home theater setup. I was using my Integra receiver as a preamp but am getting much better performance with the C50. Now I have more flexibility with my system, the Integra is connected thru the C50 via the passthru mode and my MCD1100 is connected directly to the C50.

Henry

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by Marmarosa

Dan,

Thank´s for you quick and really helpful answer.

By the way, how have you connected me with Santander ?

Jose.......I do my best to try and remember the real first names of AA members. I like to address members by their first names instead of screen names. It personalizes the conversations for me. Did I screw up with your name? If so, I apologize. I try to capture first names whenever I see them. I may have gotten Santander from an earlier post thinking it was correct. Set me straight and I will try to remember your name from now on.

[PMCH]

Audioguy, congrats on your new C2300. I think you will love it. Bet it doesn't take you long to switch out the line stage tubes. I like the phono stage in the C2300 but love an upgraded phono stage like your Chinook.

[Volks]

Congratz Buck!! Nice upgrade................it wont take you that long to wanna replace the stock tubes...............it will be a night/day diff when you upgrade the tubes.....especially if you upgrade to Gold Lion tubes!

[audio badger]

Congrats on your C2300, it's a fabulous preamp. Listening to my C2300 as I write this. You'll love it!

Paul

[W9TR]

Buck,
Congrats on the 2300. It's phono stage is surprisingly good. I sold my Sutherland after I compared it to the 2300. I haven 't listened to the Chinook, but I wouldn't bet against the 2300! I love the armchair loading options for both MC and MM carts. Anyway, enjoy your new preamp, it's a big step up from the 220.
Tom

[prepress]

Originally Posted by audioguy3107

Most likely, I was thinking of asking Audio Classics to just go ahead and change them out for some Gold Lions or something else (surprise me!!), but they recommended getting a feel for how it sounds before doing that. Once I get it broken in, then I'll probably order a couple of sets and play with it. I already have a pair of Gold Lions from my C 220, so I may check some different ones and compare. One thing I'm going to try NOT to do is compare the built in MC phono stage with my Manley Chinook. I would think the Manley would be better no question, but I know the MC in the 2300 has a great reputation. Wonder if anyone has compared it to their outboard phono stage? Ha! I guess at some point you have to settle down, stop fiddling, and listen to some tunes, right?

- Buck

Say, don't I know you from another forum?

Seriously, the C2300 is indeed a step or two up from the C220 by most accounts. I have one (yes, the solid-state guy) and while I haven't extensive experience with the phono stage, I will say it's at least as good as my Aragon 47k with upgraded power supply so far, a $750 package from 1994. For that reason and to reduce clutter, the Aragon has been removed from the system. I have wondered whether the Parasound JC 3+ would be an improvement, but until I start playing more vinyl the 2300's MM stage is plenty, and good enough.

Be warned, though. The 2300's ground terminal is pretty hefty, and the spades on my older TT don't fit. I had to put one lug from each channel into the terminal's hole. That's working.

[Marmarosa]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Santander.......I have a personal bias against DAC's being built into preamplifiers. That is the difference between the C2300 (no DAC) and the C2500 (with DAC). If you have no interest in digital inputs I would encourage you to consider the C2300 with your MC275. I have run this combination and it is exceptional. I am a big fan of the McIntosh C2300 preamplifier. Mine is driving MC601's and sounds fabulous.

Originally Posted by jdandy

Marmarosa.......I do my best to try and remember the real first names of AA members. I like to address members by their first names instead of screen names. It personalizes the conversations for me. Did I screw up with your name? If so, I apologize. I try to capture first names whenever I see them. I may have gotten Santander from an earlier post thinking it was correct. Set me straight and I will try to remember your name from now on.

Dan... You don´t need to apologize at all. My surprise was because Santander it's my home town name. My first name is José Mª, and of course you can capture it.

Thank´s again for your always helpful advices..... and using the ocassion, here goes my last question.... Phono amps. in this two preams, are equal ?

Thank´s again.