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.

[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?

[Bob Bubeck]

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. <snip>

Having had a C2500 in service for nearly three years, permit me to suggest that the above may suggest an overly negative picture. I have had no problems at all. I had Paragon Sight and Sound update the firmware to the latest version, not because of any problem, but to keep the piece up to date. Far from being a negative, the on board DAC sounds very good and is handy to have as an alternative at the touch of a remote. Its particular 'presentation' is a benefit with some RBCDs and it most certainly does not hurt anything sitting in the unit in reserve.

As is almost always the case, the postings from the few with issues out number those who are perfectly satisfied. Switching the modifiers "many" and "some" in the above might be more accurate.

Respectfully,

Bob

[Levitator]

Originally Posted by Bob Bubeck

Having had a C2500 in service for nearly three years, permit me to suggest that the above may suggest an overly negative picture. I have had no problems at all. I had Paragon Sight and Sound update the firmware to the latest version, not because of any problem, but to keep the piece up to date. Far from being a negative, the on board DAC sounds very good and is handy to have as an alternative at the touch of a remote. Its particular 'presentation' is a benefit with some RBCDs and it most certainly does not hurt anything sitting in the unit in reserve.

As is almost always the case, the postings from the few with issues out number those who are perfectly satisfied. Switching the modifiers "many" and "some" in the above might be more accurate.

Respectfully,

Bob

Same boat as you Bob - absolutely no issues with my C2500 for nearly two years.

[ejr1953]

Originally Posted by Bob Bubeck

Having had a C2500 in service for nearly three years, permit me to suggest that the above may suggest an overly negative picture. I have had no problems at all. I had Paragon Sight and Sound update the firmware to the latest version, not because of any problem, but to keep the piece up to date. Far from being a negative, the on board DAC sounds very good and is handy to have as an alternative at the touch of a remote. Its particular 'presentation' is a benefit with some RBCDs and it most certainly does not hurt anything sitting in the unit in reserve.

As is almost always the case, the postings from the few with issues out number those who are perfectly satisfied. Switching the modifiers "many" and "some" in the above might be more accurate.

Respectfully,

Bob

I purchased a new C2500, which replaced my C50, just before the C2600 was introduced, swapped the stock tubes for Gold Lions and have been really pleased with it.

I have always used an external DAC, so the one built into my preamp is not an issue for me.

It appears that firmware is not McIntosh's "strong point", but I suspect that people who have firmware-related problems, have them with all sorts of models in their lineup.

Either way, C2300 or C2500, I suspect you'll enjoy how they pair with McIntosh solid state power amps.

[sandbites]

Hi I'm toying with getting a used c2300 from the 'gon. Are the bulbs on these LEDs ar;eady? Any issues i should watch out for?

[Maks]

Originally Posted by sandbites

Hi I'm toying with getting a used c2300 from the 'gon. Are the bulbs on these LEDs ar;eady? Any issues i should watch out for?

Go for it, it is a highly regarded preamp here by those of us who own or have owned one. I have zero itch to "upgrade" it.