2. amps-preamps
  3. 136841-97064

McIntosh C2300 noise

I’ve recently noticed that there is a buzz in the phono section of my c2300. I bought this used from a dealer and they are are helping me root cause the issue. I thought i’d share here in the mean time. The buzz usually goes up with volume. Not only does the buzz go up with volume - the meters show some gain as well. This happens with no source attached. I moved the C2300 to a different part of the home with no source or amp attached whatsoever - turning up the volume knob jumps the meters.  Is this normal?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vH9hYnTN-iw&feature=youtu.be
pistha
scorpio1951
189 posts
 
  Hmm...I have a C2300. There are two phono sections in this preamp. Have you tried swapping out the tubes? Have the tubes ever been replaced? I was surprised with my C2300 when one of the output tubes failed after just a few years of use. Although they are labeled McIntosh, I learned on this site that they are made in China. At that point I replaced all  six tubes with NOS Telefunkens from the 1960's, and was amazed with the improvement in sound. 
pistha OP
31 posts
 
I do use Tele NOS in line stage. The line stage makes a very very low pitched buzz which isnt really a big deal when i start playing music. I tried moving the Teles to the phono section and still see noise shoot up with the meters dancing like in the video. This tells me the issue is much before the gain stage - but i am a newbie - thats just my guess. 
oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,889 posts
 
Ok. I’m just throwing this out there.  A while back I noticed a buzz , often intermittent but sometimes steady that I had a difficult time pinpointing because I didn’t know if it was the pre or the amp.  

I traced it it down to the amp but it wasn’t the amp at all.   It was a Glade Plug In air freshener.  Removed it from the next room and my noise disappeared 

good luck. 
docdan50
71 posts
 
My c2300 was making a motor boat noise through the phono section that I tracked it down to an apple tv being too close to the preamp. Moved it away and noise gone. 
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,405 posts
 
@scorpio1951...………………………

I have the C2500 preamp  with the stock tubes.  A lot of the Mac guys are telling me the Gold Lion tubes are the best for the preamp.  You seem to really like the Telefunkens though.  Are they that good?  I had bought a pair of Telefunkens from Upscale for a Rogue preamp and they were noisy and that was their Platinum grade.  I sent them back and tried 2 more, but they were even noisier.
More to discover