Yamaha c-2 vs. modern powerhouse

I've recently been listening to a Yamaha C-2 preamp ($650 in 1977-1979)I found for cheap vs. my reference Musical Fidelity 308cr. It's been beating my reference in all my listening so far (tuner and CD listening), because of stronger bass and dynamics, combined with equal or better detail. I did not expect this, and don't want to decide that my expensive piece is not as good. I assume that it's some kind of "synergy" effect with my Magneplanar Tympanis, Rotel amp, and cheap CD changer, but what do you all think of this finding? Several other people use the same terms I do to describe the differences, even though I did not tell them what I think.