McIntosh says the C47 is their most advanced preamp yet. ( along with its bigger brother the C52). If the brand is serious, it should be better than the older C48.
I find that the sound of their preamps have evolved more than the sound of their amps. Mac sound is more detailed and neutral that it was once, a little bit more punch also, but still have kept that midrange boldness and richness they are know for.
Personally, I totally dig their sonic signature and the eq they include permits you to tune the sound depending on the recording. At first listen, they may sound a tad warm or inoffensive compared to other brands, but engage the eq boosting the mids to highs and everything gets livier. Just Bypass the eq when you listen to a harsher recording, and the warmth returns and permits you to listen louder without fatigue...You can t do that with a Simaudio or ARC pre...you have to live with the signature they choose for you. And my experience is that some ´´shouty and brassy’´ recordings are though to live with if you have a livier pre in the loop.
I find that the sound of their preamps have evolved more than the sound of their amps. Mac sound is more detailed and neutral that it was once, a little bit more punch also, but still have kept that midrange boldness and richness they are know for.
Personally, I totally dig their sonic signature and the eq they include permits you to tune the sound depending on the recording. At first listen, they may sound a tad warm or inoffensive compared to other brands, but engage the eq boosting the mids to highs and everything gets livier. Just Bypass the eq when you listen to a harsher recording, and the warmth returns and permits you to listen louder without fatigue...You can t do that with a Simaudio or ARC pre...you have to live with the signature they choose for you. And my experience is that some ´´shouty and brassy’´ recordings are though to live with if you have a livier pre in the loop.