tube/ss

[1KW]

I don't understand cable break in ? How can a cable break in, isn't is just wire ? I also have not noticed any difference between monster and audioquest cables sound wise. The only difference I notice is a cosmetic difference, the audioquest appear to be more substantial with thicker insullation; both sound exactly the same. Due to the lack of improvement or deleterious effects of either cable I am hesitant to buy more expensive cables or power cords. I have a panamax line filter/surge protector with all stock power cords, my system is dead quiet without music playing and sounds fine to me. If you buy expensive cables and you don't notice any improvement are you stuck with them ? If yes I am going to start a company called: PT Barnum cables

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by 2uberoller

I don't understand cable break in ? How can a cable break in, isn't is just wire ? I also have not noticed any difference between monster and audioquest cables sound wise. The only difference I notice is a cosmetic difference, the audioquest appear to be more substantial with thicker insullation; both sound exactly the same. Due to the lack of improvement or deleterious effects of either cable I am hesitant to buy more expensive cables or power cords. I have a panamax line filter/surge protector with all stock power cords, my system is dead quiet without music playing and sounds fine to me. If you buy expensive cables and you don't notice any improvement are you stuck with them ? If yes I am going to start a company called: PT Barnum cables

David.......One of the easiest ways to play with, and audition cables is found here: http://www.thecableco.com/tryathome.php

The Cable Company lets you audition cables in your home. A deposit equal to 10% of the selling price of the borrowed cables will be charged to your credit card when the arrangements for the initial cable loan are made. This deposit is not refundable, but will be applied in full against purchases (cable or non-cable products) from The Cable Company, Usedcable.com, or our Ultra Systems affiliate. After the initial home trial, subsequent trials will incur a 5% deposit.

This way you can audition two or three interconnect or power cable choices for a 10% deposit that will be applied to your purchase once you decide on a particular cable.

My suggestion would be to contact Ivan first, and arrange to audition a Wireworld Silver Electra power cable on your amp, and some balanced pairs of Silver Eclipse interconnects between the MCD500 and the C220, and between the C220 and the MC252. Those choices right there may be as far as you will ever need to go. You won't be stuck if you don't like them.

[vintage_tube]

Wouldn't it be nice if we could stay on subject?? How did this topic get into a cable thread??

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by vintage_tube

Wouldn't it be nice if we could stay on subject?? How did this topic get into a cable thread??

I agree, Bob. Sorry. I drifted with the rest.

I have been down both the tube road and the solid state road. Tubes on tubes, tube preamp on solid state amp, solid state preamp on tube amp, and solid state on solid state. All of it is exciting. Sort of like going to Baskin-Robbins for ice cream. It's all good, just the flavors vary a bit.

Tube on tube was wonderful. The C2200 driving the MC275 MkV was quite magical, with a mid range that was so liquid you could bathe in it, and a wonderful, airy top end.

Tube preamp on a solid state amp has its attractions, as well. The mid range glow remains, while the bottom octaves tighten and become a bit quicker. My C2300 driving the MC352 is a perfect combination of tube on solid state. There are plenty of watts on tap for any realistic volume level, the dynamics are fast and accurate, and the background silence is in harmony with the dynamic range capabilities.

Solid state preamps with a tube amp presents a fantastic audio presentation. The C42 driving the MC275 MkV created a gorgeous sound stage, with the lush, full midrange that tube power amps are revered for, yet the crisp details were ever present.

Solid state preamps with solid state amps create an incredibly detailed presentation. To my ears, this arrangement leaves nothing to be desired. My C1000C/P driving the MC501's is musical heaven. The dynamics are tremendous, the silence is jet black and deep, the bottom end is as tight as it gets, yet filled with all the texture and subtle distinctions and variations that bass instruments, both acoustic and electric, are cabable of creating. The mid range is rich and full, and the top end is a crystal ball into the shimmering beauty of all intruments and percussions that exist in these frequency ranges.

I honestly believe there is no wrong combination of McIntosh preamplifier and power amplifier. It is all great. Close your eyes, grab one of each. When you open your eyes, you will be happy. Pretty simple, really.

[vintage_tube]

What an answer Dan - Just spot on, IMO. Your final paragraph sums it up precisely.

You needn't redeem yourself for straying afar -- however; I was about to impose a pentance of reading chapter XI (pg 151) in the McIntosh bible (see title of that chapter).

[ltleo]

i have to be honest, I grew up with a all ss, both mcintosh and my onky 508. but for some reason, the tube preamp just to me any way, tied it all together. though now I am courious to see how my system would open up with a ss preamp. So are you ready for this guys??? what preamp should I sample if I am using the c2300 now? remember, it is paired with my 501 and my speakers are totem winds. ( detailed, dymc, deep bass) This is my first time with tubes too. even before my 2300 I had a shindo montbrison. Would I really see a huge diff, in my sound stage with a ss pre?

ok let one at a time please! lol. stillone, I am interested in your feedback here, since you I think said the most about ss. thanks

[gregswaim]

Originally Posted by ltleo

i have to be honest, I grew up with a all ss, both mcintosh and my onky 508. but for some reason, the tube preamp just to me any way, tied it all together. though now I am courious to see how my system would open up with a ss preamp. So are you ready for this guys??? what preamp should I sample if I am using the c2300 now? remember, it is paired with my 501 and my speakers are totem winds. ( detailed, dymc, deep bass) This is my first time with tubes too. even before my 2300 I had a shindo montbrison. Would I really see a huge diff, in my sound stage with a ss pre?

ok let one at a time please! lol. stillone, I am interested in your feedback here, since you I think said the most about ss. thanks

This is simple: Get the c500/P+T or the c1000/P+T. Use tubes for digital playback and for analog use SS. It's best of both in my opinion.

[jdandy]

ltleo.......I moved from the C2300 tube preamp with my 501's to the solid state C1000P preamp. If I could print the word WOW as big as this page, it would hardly begin to express my enthusiasm and happiness with this preamplifier. It is top shelf in every way. Having said that, everyone who has enjoyed the C500P has expressed the exact same sentiments. Reviewers have praised the C500P as a no frills C1000, all the sound with a few less bells and whistles. This might be something to consider. Take a peek in the Buy and Sell forum here. Serge has his brand new C500P there for an excellent price.

[ltleo]

hmmm so the c500p is night and day above the 2300? jdandy you got me thinking, since you do have the same set up as I do. where if you can say did you get the most improv? was it just more open highs, or just kinda more control of the bass.

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by ltleo

hmmm so the c500p is night and day above the 2300? jdandy you got me thinking, since you do have the same set up as I do. where if you can say did you get the most improv? was it just more open highs, or just kinda more control of the bass.

ltleo.......It is so much larger than just more open highs, and more bass control. By adding the C1000P, the three dimensional texture of every instument and voice grew to a new level of realism I had never experienced in my system before. Music took on a brand new degree of passion, becoming much more real. The overall musical clarity, depth, attack, reverberations and decay of sounds touch me emotionally in a deeper way than I have ever experienced. The presence of instruments and vocalists is felt more profoundly in the room than with the C2300 driving the MC501 amps. There is enormous life and breath in every sound.

In my mind I know there are multiple hundreds of hard parts all soldered together to create the boxes we refer to as preamps and amps, but when I am listening to the C1000P and the MC501's, it's as though there are no components present at all, just music. I was close to this with the C2300 in the system, but it took the introduction of the C1000P to bring it all home. In my humble opinion, the combination of the C1000P and the MC501's create a true McIntosh masterpiece.