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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
oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,724 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
6,350 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.
pistha OP
31 posts
 
It was a Glade Plug In air freshener.

 I tracked it down to an apple tv being too close to the preamp

I moved the 2300 to a different room - no sources or amp connected - still same behavior. Infact I used the dedicated refrigerator AC line - still same issue. 
bondmanp
1,804 posts
 
I have a C220.  Although I did not have a severe noise issue like you, I did replace the 4 tubes in this pre with Mullard reproduction 12AX7s, and the preamp got quieter and sounds better in many respects.

I would try this:  If you are using the main single-ended outputs to your amplifier, try using one of the other outputs and see if there is a difference.  I had these outputs fail on both my first C220 and the replacement, which I still have, but use one of the other outputs, not the main one.  As far as I can tell, my long runs of ICs to my amp were stressing the RCA output jacks on the C220, and they failed, resulting in a very loud hum (a short, I guess).  I now suspend the cables to relieve the stress on the C220's output jacks, and have had no issues in about seven years.

Lastly, if your dealer can't figure it out, I have found calls to McIntosh to be answered promptly and helpfully.
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