C2300/C2500/ or c50.

[rushca01]

Looking at these three preamps from audio classics. I already purchased a mc402 from them and it is currently powering my left and right channels via my surround sound preamp.

My main use will be connecting a streaming device like an Oppo Sonica or Bluesound Node2 and someday maybe connecting a phono. All three units have passthru so I can still use my anthem avm60 for movies etc..

The 2300 is my gut feeling since I don’t need a built in DAC as both streamers act as DACs and in several years the DACs in the C2500/C50 will be long in the tooth. Is there enough difference in analog circuitry design between the 2300 and 2500?

[PHC1]

I'd be inclined to go for a C46. Great synergy with the Mc402 and no tubes to worry about. The C46 had a warmish/musical tonal balance in combination with 402. It is a combo one can easily enjoy for many years and not feel the need to upgrade anything. Of course we all have our preference but the McIntosh solid state preamps tend to sound like tubes anyways. The tubed preamps, well, you'll be tube rolling and spending dough on tubes in no time.

[rushca01]

Originally Posted by PHC1

I'd be inclined to go for a C46. Great synergy with the Mc402 and no tubes to worry about. The C46 had a warmish/musical tonal balance in combination with 402. It is a combo one can easily enjoy for many years and not feel the need to upgrade anything. Of course we all have our preference but the McIntosh solid state preamps tend to sound like tubes anyways. The tubed preamps, well, you'll be tube rolling and spending dough on tubes in no time.

Thanks for the reply, I started a new thread as to not derail the other one.

Going with the c46 I don’t get the dancing Blue meters. Than there is all that talk about the c2300 being a future classic and the tube pre pairing well with a ss amp.

[jdandy]

rushca01.......My advice would be avoid the McIntosh C2500. Many owners have been plagued with firmware and DAC issues from the beginning with this preamp. Sadly, McIntosh has not been quick to solve these issues. Although some owners of the C2500 preamplifier have not experienced any major issues, many others have had and are still experiencing operational problems. If you want a McIntosh preamplifier with an internal DAC, the C2600 has a considerably better track record for both firmware integrity and DAC performance.

Having said that, I am a big fan of the McIntosh C2300 tube preamplifier. It is an analog preamplifier with no DAC. There are no issue with the six 12AX7 tubes used in it. The typical tube life of quality 12AX7 tubes is 6000 to 8000 hours. Figuring you may use your preamplifier an average of 50 hours a week, you will not need to install fresh tubes before approximately 3 years, or 6 years if you use the preamplifier only 25 hours a week average. Vacuum tubes are no issue with the C2300 and longevity of the tubes is nothing to be concerned about at all.

The best part about the C2300 beisides it's amazing sound is it was designed and built with premium parts, connectors, and casework. This level of detail comes through in its performance and versatility. Both the moving magnet and moving coil phono stages are exceptional. The moving coil phono stage performs better and is quieter than a $3000 outboard phono stage I compared with my C2300. The signal to noise ratio is very good. In fact, the entire preamplifier through all inputs is dead quiet. I have no problem recommending the C2300 preamplifier without reservation. Tubes and solid state make beautiful music together, not to mention the McIntosh C2300 is a beauty.

[GeAllan70]

^^^

+1

[rushca01]

Originally Posted by jdandy

rushca01.......My advice would be avoid the McIntosh C2500. Many owners have been plagued with firmware and DAC issues from the beginning with this preamp. Sadly, McIntosh has not been quick to solve these issues. Although some owners of the C2500 preamplifier have not experienced any major issues, many others have had and are still experiencing operational problems. If you want a McIntosh preamplifier with an internal DAC, the C2600 has a considerably better track record for both firmware integrity and DAC performance.

Having said that, I am a big fan of the McIntosh C2300 tube preamplifier. It is an analog preamplifier with no DAC. There are no issue with the six 12AX7 tubes used in it. The typical tube life of quality 12AX7 tubes is 6000 to 8000 hours. Figuring you may use your preamplifier an average of 50 hours a week, you will not need to install fresh tubes before approximately 3 years, or 6 years if you use the preamplifier only 25 hours a week average. Vacuum tubes are no issue with the C2300 and longevity of the tubes is nothing to be concerned about at all.

The best part about the C2300 beisides it's amazing sound is it was designed and built with premium parts, connectors, and casework. This level of detail comes through in its performance and versatility. Both the moving magnet and moving coil phono stages are exceptional. The moving coil phono stage performs better and is quieter than a $3000 outboard phono stage I compared with my C2300. The signal to noise ratio is very good. In fact, the entire preamplifier through all inputs is dead quiet. I have no problem recommending the C2300 preamplifier without reservation. Tubes and solid state make beautiful music together, not to mention the McIntosh C2300 is a beauty.

Thank you for the detailed reply! I think this finally sealed the deal.

Next couple questions:
Does the passthru feature use the tubes or not?
RCA or xlr, the mc402 is balanced while the c2300 isn’t?
*I have an 11foot span between the surround pre to the stereo pre and already have XLR interconnects as the surround pre is balanced.
*The node2 only offers rca while the Sonica offers xlr and rca
*with the mc402 being balanced should I run xlr from the c2300 to the mc402
What are the input labels I can use on the c2300?

[W9TR]

Passthru uses the tubes.

XLR's all the way for an 11' run between the C2300 and MC 402.

[Maks]

You may want to download the c2300 manual, it should answer everything you need to know. However, the input labels are tuner, dvd, d/a, cd, cdr, server and the two phono inputs.

[Blatrie]

+1 with JDandy.

Very very good and nice preamp, and dac evolutions will be separate and possible at less cost for up to date futur decodings.
C2300 + D100/150 ?

TMO C2200 has also to be considered, a bit more smooth than the 2300. More Jazzy than the 2300, more Rock.

[rushca01]

Originally Posted by Maks

You may want to download the c2300 manual, it should answer everything you need to know. However, the input labels are tuner, dvd, d/a, cd, cdr, server and the two phono inputs.

I have read the manual several times. I read from other sources that “12 standard names” can be applied to any input..like AUX for example.

I have some sources telling me that the in passthru mode the tubes are used and some say they are not. If they are I think that is a let down as I don’t want them to effect the surround preamp signal.