McIntosh C220 VS C2300 AB comparison


Has anyone done an A/B on these tube puppies?

(if) Presumably C2300 sounded better, but does it justified the extra 3 bills?

I just listen to CD & Internet radio streaming, do I need c2300 at all?

Back end is mc275v + B&W803s, thanks for your advice.
jensenjunn

Showing 3 responses by miner42

I believe the C2300 is $6000 MSRP & the C220 is $4000 MSRP. I have a C2200, predicessor to the C220/C2300. You get a few more features with the C2300 vs C220 - on the fly phono cartridge impdence change, meters, to name a few. The line stages of both of these pres uses 2 tubes; my C2200 usues 4 tubes. I did prefer the sound of the C2200 vs the C220/C2300. I got it for a steal, gently used for $2700. My first foray inot McIntosh and have nto looked back.
The original designer of the C2200 was Sidney Coderman (sp?) a long time McIntosh designer. The sound of the c2200 was more on the warmer side with a top end thatwas not as bright as the C220. I did my research and also spoke with people Audio Classics prior to making my decision. The C2200 was about $1200 less than the C220 and $3200 less than the C2300 (the C2200 was a used unit - an easy 9/10). If I were to upgrade it would be to the C2300 due to the phonostage - C2200 has MM only; C2300 has MM/MC which is adjustable via the remote. Stereophile has an excellent review on the C2200 and The Absolute Sound still picks the C2200 as the >$10000 pre to own even though it is not longer in production.
Hififile,
I currently use a Rega P7 with a DV20X (high output) MC and a Graham Slee Era Gold V phoono stage. I have been very curious about the phono stage in the C2200 - have you any personal experience with the C2200 MM stage? I am using stock tubes but have some that Jim McShane recommended to em to use in the stage. Curious what your experiences are.

If McIntosh ever comes back with the trade-up program I will probably give the C2300 a try.