Had my C-37 upgraded by Doug of R.A.M in Warren Michigan totally improved the transparency and detail yet continued with that warm and non fatiguing sound.
Once you go MAC you never go back.... My journey
I have wandered in the high-end audio wilderness for many, many long years. Having owned both vintage (Sansui, Marantz, Dynaco, Scott) and high-end (Levinson, VTL, Krell, MBL) I decided to again go vintage.
I slowly downsized my current system (VTL, Classe) and start over (I took my time, a couple of years to be exact).
Since I have friends who have vintage Mcintosh gear (that they swear by) as well you terrific 'Goners, I have two wonderful resources for my research.
After a year of dedicated listening to friends vintage Mcintosh gear (MC-2105's, C-32's, MC2255's, etc) I made the decision. I would purchase preowned MAC separates with the understanding that a 25+ year old audio equipment may require a couple of hundred dollars worth of repairs, etc. With the extra cash from selling off my overpriced system, I went online and purchased two gorgeous Mcintosh separates- the Mcintosh MC-2155 and C-28. When I first listened to my "new" vintage system I was initially disappointed as the preamp was dull and dark. It sounded like my Becker Mexico car radio.
I immediately took both components to a trusted audio repair shop in town and told them to restore the C-28 to it's former glory. I had them change the electrolytic capacitors with newer ELNA Cerafine types on the C-28.
Upon return from the repair shop I was floored... I could not believe it was the same C-28. The C-28 was better than new! The C-28 became a 1973 giant killer! Only it was 2007! The C-28 opened up my cd collection to new levels! Liquidity, warmth, soundstage, and that EUREKA feeling we audiophiles drool about!
Although my $7500 VTL revealed more in source recordings, it lacked the complete passion and authority my "new" old C-28 now commanded. For the first time in a long time Joni's Mitchell's haunting lyrics in "Amelia" sent shivers down my spine. Listening to the C-28 paired with the 2155 is like sipping an expensive Brandy for the first time.
I slowly downsized my current system (VTL, Classe) and start over (I took my time, a couple of years to be exact).
Since I have friends who have vintage Mcintosh gear (that they swear by) as well you terrific 'Goners, I have two wonderful resources for my research.
After a year of dedicated listening to friends vintage Mcintosh gear (MC-2105's, C-32's, MC2255's, etc) I made the decision. I would purchase preowned MAC separates with the understanding that a 25+ year old audio equipment may require a couple of hundred dollars worth of repairs, etc. With the extra cash from selling off my overpriced system, I went online and purchased two gorgeous Mcintosh separates- the Mcintosh MC-2155 and C-28. When I first listened to my "new" vintage system I was initially disappointed as the preamp was dull and dark. It sounded like my Becker Mexico car radio.
I immediately took both components to a trusted audio repair shop in town and told them to restore the C-28 to it's former glory. I had them change the electrolytic capacitors with newer ELNA Cerafine types on the C-28.
Upon return from the repair shop I was floored... I could not believe it was the same C-28. The C-28 was better than new! The C-28 became a 1973 giant killer! Only it was 2007! The C-28 opened up my cd collection to new levels! Liquidity, warmth, soundstage, and that EUREKA feeling we audiophiles drool about!
Although my $7500 VTL revealed more in source recordings, it lacked the complete passion and authority my "new" old C-28 now commanded. For the first time in a long time Joni's Mitchell's haunting lyrics in "Amelia" sent shivers down my spine. Listening to the C-28 paired with the 2155 is like sipping an expensive Brandy for the first time.
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- 4 posts total
- 4 posts total