Change order to McIntosh C22 instead of C47 ?

[miatadan]

I found out the McIntosh C47 has not been shipped ( out of town dealer ) and was advised if I still wanted to, can change it to McIntosh C22 .

Really like the old school retro look and still feel external dac still preferred to internal dac.

Last preamp I had was the McIntosh C2300 and the C22 was not available when I purchased the C2300.

Thoughts on this? Will let my dealer know on monday what to do...

Dan

[ismelllikepoop]

hell yea.

[Vince11281]

I definitely think that's one pretty piece of equipment...

[Jerome W]

Hello Dan,

There is something I do not get.
You had a 2300 and you were about to change it for a 47 while you do not care about the internal dac ? You listened to the 47 and preferred the sound over the 2300 ?
Mc tube preamps and SS ones sound pretty different.
Basically I think the C22 will sound very close if not identical to your former 2300.
Mc SS preamps have a tighter sound imho with better definition and attack. The bass gains a lot of clarity and punch.
The tube preamps sound more light in comparison, but they have more air between the instruments so the overall balance will be very different and will depend on your speakers / room and personal preferences.
McIntosh has been famous for designing SS power amps that sound like tube ones and vice versa, but when it comes to preamps you can easily hear the differences between the technologies.

[miatadan]

Originally Posted by Jerome W

Hello Dan,

There is something I do not get.
You had a 2300 and you were about to change it for a 47 while you do not care about the internal dac ? You listened to the 47 and preferred the sound over the 2300 ?
Mc tube preamps and SS ones sound pretty different.
Basically I think the C22 will sound very close if not identical to your former 2300.
Mc SS preamps have a tighter sound imho with better definition and attack. The bass gains a lot of clarity and punch.
The tube preamps sound more light in comparison, but they have more air between the instruments so the overall balance will be very different and will depend on your speakers / room and personal preferences.
McIntosh has been famous for designing SS power amps that sound like tube ones and vice versa, but when it comes to preamps you can easily hear the differences between the technologies.

I am not able to listen too any McIntosh preamps in person. I sold both the McIntosh MC302 and McIntosh C2300 as Bryston better match for Magnepans. Never liked the Bryston preamps very much over the years.

Just want to have 1 piece that is still McIntosh and originally was going to get the D150 dac but felt since the D150 is $3000 US, the C47 @ $4000 better value as there is still good phono section + option of selling Rega dac if dac built in sounds as good. The C22 , I know what too expect as it is close to C2300.

Having no music at all right now driving me crazy as Bryston 4B cubed is ordered and waiting for it too arrive.

[1KW]

The C22 is supposed to be a C2300 internally.

[Stahle]

Originally Posted by 1KW

The C22 is supposed to be a C2300 internally.

About a month ago I asked the local dealer about the new C22 reissue supposedly being a C2300 internally and he said he used to think the same thing but informed me that this was not true. The dealer explained that he was just at a McIntosh training where he asked that very question to the McIntosh design engineer of the C22 reissue and that person said that the C22 is its own unique design entirely and not at all based upon the C2300.

Take it for what it's worth, but the dealer is very reputable and he thought the same thing until the McIntosh engineer told him otherwise.

I'm not trying to take away from the C2300 or the C22, just letting people know that it might not be true about the design of the C22 being based upon a C2300.

[miatadan]

Originally Posted by Stahle

About a month ago I asked the local dealer about the new C22 reissue supposedly being a C2300 internally and he said he used to think the same thing but informed me that this was not true. The dealer explained that he was just at a McIntosh training where he asked that very question to the McIntosh design engineer of the C22 reissue and that person said that the C22 is its own unique design entirely and not at all based upon the C2300.

Take it for what it's worth, but the dealer is very reputable and he thought the same thing until the McIntosh engineer told him otherwise.

I'm not trying to take away from the C2300 or the C22, just letting people know that it might not be true about the design of the C22 being based upon a C2300.

Be nice to know more about the actual design of the McIntosh C22. If I am correct the C22 preamp only preamp now without dac section besides C1100 now.

[Stahle]

Originally Posted by miatadan

Be nice to know more about the actual design of the McIntosh C22. If I am correct the C22 preamp only preamp now without dac section besides C1100 now.

I think you are right about the other preamps all having DAC sections with the exception of the C22 and the C1100. My mind is pretty much made up on the C22 because it doesn't have a DAC. I also like the fact that all of the functions are right there in front and controlled by knobs and toggle switches rather than being embedded behind a multifunction trim knob, just my preference. I know some people prefer the sleek look of something like a C47 or C2600 with only the two multifunction knobs. I just wish they had illuminated the volume and balance knobs on the C22.

[miatadan]

Originally Posted by Stahle

I think you are right about the other preamps all having DAC sections with the exception of the C22 and the C1100. My mind is pretty much made up on the C22 because it doesn't have a DAC. I also like the fact that all of the functions are right there in front and controlled by knobs and toggle switches rather than being embedded behind a multifunction trim knob, just my preference. I know some people prefer the sleek look of something like a C47 or C2600 with only the two multifunction knobs. I just wish they had illuminated the volume and balance knobs on the C22.

I would love it if they illuminated the volume and balance knobs but considering the other models having multifunction knobs which I am not fan of the C22 is the best choice and I always liked the loudness button. Too bad it does not have subsonic filter for phono section.