Another preamp question; MCD600 vs C1100

[Ampteks]

I purchased a MCD600 along with a pair of MC611's with the intentions of using the variable output of the MCD600 to feed directly to the amps. No I have an itch for the C1100 but unsure what benefits I will hear with it? Soundstage, Presence, Depth?

I sent an email to McIntosh asking the same question and the response was: By using the MCD600 to directly feed the MC611's, I am saving a lot of signal path giving the cleanest reproduction possible.

This makes sense and I want to believe it, but I feel the C1100 has to bring something to the table, if not it would shutdown sales of preamps for people using cd/digital/streaming. Did I just save myself $12k?

Output Impedance: MCD600 - 600 ohms C1100 - 200 Ohms

Dynamic Range: MCD600 - Better than 100dB C1100 - No Rating

Variable Output Level: MCD600 - 0-16.0Vrms Balanced C1100 0-20Vrms Balanced

Frequency Response: MCD600 - 4Hz to 40kHz, +0.5, -2dB C1100 - +0, -0.5dB from 20Hz to 20,000Hz; +0, -3dB from 10Hz to 100,000Hz

Total Harmonic Distortion: MCD600 - 0.002% @ 1000Hz C1100 - High Level: 0.005%

Signal To Noise Ratio: MCD600 - Better than 110dB (A-weighted) C1100 - 107dB (A-weighted)

Channel Separation: MCD600 - Better than 98dB (1,000Hz) C1100 - No Rating

[ppsa]

I was thinking to use a dac to drive the MC611s directly but declined the idea after doing an AB comparison with/without a preamp. At the end of the day it is a personal preference I believe.

[gadawg]

This would be heavily dependent on the components in question so best to try it both ways and decide for yourself which provides the best listening experience for you. Good luck!

George

[Barsur]

The same question drove me crazy 10 years ago. I had a MCD 301 and I had always the question in mind, what is better, dircetly to the amp or to an preamp?!
That was the reason that I started blind testing with my friends and to set up a small internet page about the results.

We compared MCD 301 direct to MC 252 and MCD 301 to the preamp C45 and than to the MC 252.

At the beginning of the test it was clear for me, that the sound was by far better with the preamp C45. But my son gave me a hint, that we listened both equipment with level 25 but the C45 is with this level by far louder than the MCD 301.
That was the reason, I liked the Sound including the C45 more. Ok, we bought a mic and some measurement advice and since them for a blind test session we try to level the volume. In this case level 25 on the C45 was level 33 with the MCD 301.
And with the same sound pressure level, you could hear no difference at all.

This showed me a big lesson for all testing, especially blind testing, listen always with the same spl, if not the louder source will win.
Bestregards
Martin

[crwilli]

Good post!

[Ampteks]

Appreciate all the input!

Martin, I will be doing some similar testing.

This will be nagging me so I ordered the C1100 today from Ivan, effortlessly I might add

System:
MCD600
MC611
Kanta3
Shunyata Denali 6000/T

Shunyata full loom inbound
C1100 on order

Mike