2. amps-preamps
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What happened with the BASS? MC352/C42/B&WN803

Hi.. last saturday, I took home a Mcintosh C42 to replace the Onkyo919 (as pre-amp). I can truely feel HUGE improvement with sounds stage, highs, superb mid-range, much lower background noise, and much more musical. However, bass seems to be weaken and less dynamic. although I haven't play much with the Equalizer yet. Can someone tell me why. Thanks!

My current set up:

B&W Natilus 803
Mcintosh MC352
Mcintosh C42
REGA Planet 2000
Richard Gray 400s
MIT Shortgun IC and speaker cables.
rodney01
rontube
44 posts
 
You should be on the 4 ohm taps on the MC352 since the 803s are 4 ohms. You might also want take the bi wire straps off the back of the speakers and connect the mid highs to the 2 ohm taps and the woofers to the 4 ohm taps. Just use some simple cable like 12 gage for the experiment and use it on the base connection.

Ron
rodney01 OP
28 posts
 
Sugarbrie, the C42 is brand new. I am not sure if I want to leave it on all the time. I will be a little more patient letting it break-in.
Rontube, I am currently using the 8 ohm on the MC352. The 803 are 8 ohms. However, Mcintosh did saids to use the 4 ohm if I upgrade my N803 to N802. splitting the speaker cables to 2 and 4 ohm seems aggressive to me.
Thanks for your responses.
newbee
4,757 posts
 
Dumb question time! Are you saying that your new Mac pre is defficient in the bass in an absolute sense or only in comparison to the Onkyo? If the latter, is it possible that the Onkyo was just a bit over ripe and you are now hearing a more accurate bass?
rodney01 OP
28 posts
 
Newbee, I think you are right. A few people told me that I am now hearing more accurate bass. I am just too use to strong bass.
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
The C42 is solid state right? Don't be afraid of leaving it on all the time (or most of the time). Many high end solid state preamps don't even come with on/off switches. They are best left on all the time.

It takes a couple hours for many solid state devices to get fully up to speed; and it is possible you may be done listening before it sounds its best. Even my DAC has no power switch.
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