Mcintosh C-2300 first impressions


I bought an C2300 from an authorized mac dealer with return rights minus shipping. I have 11 days to listen to it. My current preamp is the Counterpoint SA-5.1 that has had the line and phono stage upgraded by Mike Elliott (the original designer/engineer of Counterpoint gear). Since I use a low output cartridge, I also use the Counterpoint SA-2 in conjuction with the SA-5.1. My amp is the Jadis Defy 7 MKII. What I was hoping to achieve was to retain all of the sound quality of the SA-2/SA-5.1 combo while lowering the noise floor compared to my current phono section (the line section of the SA-5.1 is very quiet).
My initial impression from my first night of listening is that the C2300 has a refined, polite presentation in a button-upped British sort of way with a sweet top end. However, it sounds thin much like a SS preamp sounds and it doesn't have much in the way of a bottom end which can even be heard on acoustic bass. Forget any type of wowie-zowie bass punch with this preamp. Voices also don't sound as real as my current preamp. And these listening impressions come from listening to LPs, CDs, and 15 ips 2 track tape. I guess if I didn't know any better I could be happy with this preamp, but unless things improve soon it will be going back.
For those of you who own and love the C-2300, I would love to know what preamp it replaced in your system. I love all of the creature comforts this preamp has to offer with 8 inputs, 4 sets of balanced inputs, a cool remote, etc. I do think it is a bit garish looking in person with different shades of green lights as well as blue. If this preamp doesn't start fleshing out more of the music, it will be going back. And please don't tell me that it takes magic Telefunken 12AX7s to make this preamp come alive. I have heard mixed reviews with some owners not liking the Telefunkens at all and actually preferring the Mcintosh selected 12AX7s while others who are hooked on Telefunkens of course swear by the improvement they expected to hear.

Mark
mepearson
I worked my way up from Rotel to a McIntosh C2200 and was totally blown away by the shear openess that I was hearing - natural musical sounds without the veil of color added. I has my c2200 for approx 5 months and was made a very good deal on a C2300 - I could not resist. I was enamored by the remote and what all could be controlled with it from my listening position. I have had the C2300 ow for less than a week and have only listened to two sides of 'Brothers in Arms'; I was please at what I have heard so far and the flexibility of the C2300 is nothing short of amazing. I have tubes to roll but will give the Mc tubes time to show their stuff. I was able to take the Graham Slee Era Gold V out of the listening chain because the C2300 phono stage is so good. My newish Era Gold V is now for sale. The next step up would be the C1000 (C500 is close to the C2300 in sonics/features), but I don't think I will ever achieve that level of audiophile-dom. Enjoy your C2300, it will serve you well.
Miner42, you mention in your post that the C500 is close the C2300 in sonics. I was wondering if you could elaborate on that. I am considering a C500 to mate with my MC402 power. I currently have a BAT VK-31Se pre and figured that the c2300 would be a lateral move. Thanks.
I am repeating what was explained to me by current C500 owners and dealer that was once a C2300 owner. With the C500 you get the flexibility of the separate power supply and balanced outs but I beleive you give up tone controls vs the C2300. The phono stage in the C2300, if that interests you, is the same as the C500 & C/T1000. I have no persoanl experience with the C500. Retail it is about 1.7 the C2300 - not sure you get 1.7X improvement, but such is the case in this hobby.