2. amps-preamps
  3. 1085497709

Mac C22 phono section okay?

I recently obtained a vintage McIntosh C-22 pre-amp and had it professionally restored. Everything sounds great except the phono section, which is flat and lifeless, with limited frequency extremes. Is this typical of the preamp, or is something wrong?

I'm using a newer Shure V15 cartridge that sounds good in other systems.

Thanks a lot.
dbz
s23chang
620 posts
 
The Mac sound is typical warm and full. The V15 is also warm and bit roll off.
IMHO, warm + warm do not mix.
Better off with Sumiko Blue point special or another phono preamp.
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
Check the load resistance on your Mac.
Should be at least 47kOhm for Shure.
rontube
44 posts
 
The V15 MXR works fine with my C22. I would not call this rolled off at all.

Ron-C
More to discover