I think you're out of your mind. The Mac phono stage in the C22 preamp is one of the best I've ever heard. The C2200 is their new tube unit, right? Should be essentially the same circuit.
Recommended phono stage to go with McIntosh
Hello-
Looking into upgrading a few elements in my system and would like to hear everyone’s comments/suggestions on how to best move forward. System looks like this:
Piega C10 Ltds speakers
McIntosh Mc402 amp. Possibly adding an extra to run mono as the Piegas like their juice.
McIntosh C2200 preamp
Technics 1200 GR turntable with stock arm
Lehmannaudio Black Cube 2
Carts are MoFi Master Tracker and Vasari Gold Note
Chords are Audience and Shunyata
Upgrading the phono stage, arm and carts at some time. I only have MM carts now. McIntosh does have a recently introduced phono stage, not sure how good it is. Budget for the phono stage is $3000?
Your thoughts suggestions on how to move forward. Thanks!
Looking into upgrading a few elements in my system and would like to hear everyone’s comments/suggestions on how to best move forward. System looks like this:
Piega C10 Ltds speakers
McIntosh Mc402 amp. Possibly adding an extra to run mono as the Piegas like their juice.
McIntosh C2200 preamp
Technics 1200 GR turntable with stock arm
Lehmannaudio Black Cube 2
Carts are MoFi Master Tracker and Vasari Gold Note
Chords are Audience and Shunyata
Upgrading the phono stage, arm and carts at some time. I only have MM carts now. McIntosh does have a recently introduced phono stage, not sure how good it is. Budget for the phono stage is $3000?
Your thoughts suggestions on how to move forward. Thanks!
Showing 4 responses by russbutton
@knollbrent If you're not getting enough gain through your Mac phono preamp, then I suggest you try through at least a couple of other standard phono preamps. What that will tell you is if your cartridge just has an unusually low output or if your Mac phono preamp is defective in some way. Questions: Have you tried to play a different phono cartridge through your Mac phono preamp? Have you written to the cartridge manufacturer and explained your situation to them? Is it possible that you have a defective or otherwise not properly operating cartridge? Is it possible that the Mac phono stage is not operating properly? Could there be a bad tube in there? I'd do more research on this before you conclude that you need a new phono preamp. I've never heard of a MM cartridge that had such a low output. Something somewhere is most likely just not operating properly. |
One more thing @knollbrent You can make big changes to how any piece of tube gear sounds by changing out the tubes. They call it "tube rolling", and that would cost you a LOT less than buying other phono preamps. The phone section I heard on a vintage Mac C22 is one of the best I've ever heard. That's a GREAT piece of gear and I'd expect your C2200 to essentially the same circuit, but with modern, and hopefully more quiet and better sounding caps, resistors, etc. What you already have is the envy of many. Enjoy! |
@knollbrent I assume your phono preamp uses 12AX7 tubes. The big names I've heard are: Mullard Telefunken RCA Clear Tops A good place to begin looking for tubes is: https://www.thetubestore.com/search?keywords=12AX7 I'd also recommend that you login to the discussion forum that the tubes4hifi.com crowd uses: http://dynacotubeaudio.forumotion.com/ Those guys will have a lot to say about different kinds of tubes. There's also the DIY audio site: http://www.diyaudio.com/ What I find to be immensely rewarding is getting my hands inside the gear in some fashion. I've built loudspeakers off and on since the late 70's. There's little more satisfying than really being hands on with your gear. And you'd be shocked at how good the right DIY designs can be. |