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#1
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C1100 owners- paired with Tubes or SS?
Hello all.
I have always heard it best to pair a Tube Amp with a Solid State amplifier. In the case of the C1100 I am not sure that would bring out the desired sonic qualities. Everything I have read thus far seems to suggest tubes might be best paired with the preamp. Input? I have my eyes on the 601's, the MC275, but I think my heart is set on the MC2301. I will admit I have not heard either of these tubes yet, but my god, the MC2301's just seem to say "just buy me already". |
#2
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I have paired my C1100 with 601s with excellent results. However, I agree with you. MC2301 are holy grail amps and if tubes are what you want, it doesn’t get any better than 2301s. I will also say that as good as the C1100 is, it certainly will not sound like a warm, romantic tube preamp. It adds just enough tube sound to know it’s a tube preamp. The 2301s, or MC275 for that matter, will certainly sound different than 601s. Which you will prefer can only be decided with a demonstration, preferably in home. If you have the space, funds, and willingness to deal with tubes amps, by all means go big, go 2301s. It is rare for anyone to part ways once they own that amp. Good luck.
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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 |
#3
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Thanks for the input.
You seem to echo what I have heard about the C1100. I've heard the 2500 and 2600 with 601's and the MC452...sound great. I figure since I am starting from scratch I might as well spring for the dual chassis. I will have an opportunity to hear the setup next weekend, not in home but its a start. |
#4
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Since you asked, I had a C1100 paired with tube amps -- MC2301's. If I wasn't inflicted with upgradeitis, it would still be in the rack. It's a fabulous preamplifier --
I no longer own the C1100 and the marketplace will yield info about the amps. Best Sir, Bob
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Amps:VAC 450iQ Monos in Silver Flake on HRS M3X2-1921's, HRS G7 Footers/G-Links & Sound Anchor Conecoasters. Preamp:VAC Statement (on order) (Silver Flake) Digital Source: dCS Rossini CD/SACD Transport, Vivaldi APEX DAC, Upsampler Plus & matching Clock (Silver) Analogue Preamp:VAC Renaissance SE Phono stage in Silver Flake with XLR Output Option & with Nordost Valhalla XLR's. Analogue Sources:SME 20/2 w/SME V arm & Nordost Odin 2 Tone Arm Cable, Palo Santos Presentation Cartridge & Akai GX-400D Reel-to-Reel w/relapped heads by JRF Magnetic Sciences. Akai RC-17 cabled remote (original owner since 1974). Vibration Control:TT on HRS M3X2-1921 shelf. Speakers:Wilson Audio Alexia V (on order in Ferrari Argento Silver/Parchment grills sitting on Acoustic Diode Kit). Power Cables:4 Nordost Odin Supreme Reference on amps, preamp & DAC. Ansuz Acoustics C2 on Transport & Clock. Power Distribution:Ansuz Mainz D3 Distributor & Ansuz Mainz C2 1M Power Cable Power Outlets:Furutech GTX-D NCF (R) duplex outlet, GTX Wall Plate & Duplex Cover (x2) on dedicated, same panel phase, 20A breakers. Speaker Cables:2M Nordost Odin 2 Supreme Reference on Nordost Sort Lifts. Signal Cables:Nordost Odin XLR's on dCS DAC & Amps. Digital Cables: Nordost Odin 2's, 110-ohm AES/EBU on dCS Transport to DAC. Clock Cables:5 each 75 ohm 1.25M Nordost Valhalla BNC/BNC Digital Ethernet Cable: WireWorld Platinum 1M Starlight® 8 Twinax Headphones:Vintage Koss Pro IV AA. RCM: Audio Desk PRO Tube Test Gear:Mint late '60's/calibrated Heathkit TT-1A, MaxiMatcher Power Amp & Preamp & Space Tech Labs ATT-3.02 tube test sets. |
#5
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I have my C1100 paired with two 1.2KW's.
I listened extensively to the c1100 paired with them, the 601's, and the 2301's. Personally, and I emphasize personally, I preferred the 1.2KW's.
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Regards, Terry |
#6
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Pair the amp(s) to the speaker and then flavor with a preamp?
Last edited by Dr Tone; 01-08-2018 at 11:00 AM. |
#7
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Quote:
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#8
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Agree
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Power: Sub-panel w 3 dedicated 20A breakers + EP-2050 Power Outlets: Furutech GTX-D NCF (R) Rack: Core Audio Designs Power Distribution: Shunyata Denali Amps: McIntosh MC2301 Pre-Amp: McIntosh C1100 Tubes: Genalex Gold Lions Digital: PS Audio DirectStream Junior: Roon Ready Signal Cables: WireWorld XLR's Speakers: Canton Reference K3's Speaker cables: WW Silver Eclipse 7 Analog: Dr. Feickert Woodpecker+Kuzma 4-point+Miyajima ETR-MONO SUT & Miyajima Infinity (Mono) // Hana Umami (Stereo) Tweaks: Shakti Stones, GIK Panels, IsoAcoustics Feet |
#9
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I am using my C500 with a pair of MC275’s. I have had no desire to “upgrade “.
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#10
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The C1100 doesn't sound very much like a tube preamp to me. It's just scary quiet, dynamic, and very clean.
I think it will pair equally well with SS or tube amps. I think you have to be careful when pairing tube amps with speakers - not all those matches are made in heaven. The MC 2301 can drive pretty much anything though. Several years ago I did a review of the then current McIntosh tube amps on this forum. http://www.audioaficionado.org/showt...522#post282522 Having owned the MC 275V, MC 2301, and 601; the 2301 and 601 are very similar, with the 275V sounding very different from them. Enjoy the journey! Tom
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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 |
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