2. amps-preamps
  3. 154814-119639

Which Mcintosh tube pre-amp?

Running the following system: Mcintosh MR85 / MVP841 > C15 > MC352 > Thiel CS3.6.

Considering adding some warmth via a Mcintosh tubed pre-amp, either C220 or C2200. 

I do not use vinyl. May add a streamer / DAC at some point.

Listen mostly to 50's / 60's jazz.

May I hear opinions re the C220 vs C2200 from Audiogoners who have experience with same or similar power amp / speakers?

Thank you.
whq964
techno__dude
511 posts
 
Up from the C-2600, the sound is a big upgrade.

So C-2600 or C-2700 , you’re in business. The latter has the newer dac ( da2 upgradeable module. )
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,388 posts
 
The only difference between the C2500 and the C2600 is the newer DAC. 
techno__dude
511 posts
 
Wrong stereo5, and I have proof below. 2 internal pics of the analog board side of the C2500 and C2600. Clearly different. ( so its not just the dac )

https://www.casimages.com/i/170104083930483890.jpg.html
https://www.casimages.com/i/17010408393284308.jpg.html






stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,388 posts
 
Techno_dude........................

looks like they shrunk the C2500 circuit board for the C2600.   The guys in the McIntosh group claim that sonicly,  the C2500 and 2600 sound the same except the dac.  
techno__dude
511 posts
 
Look at it closely, it’s just not the same board, everything looks better made on the newer board. Shorter signal paths. Look also at the 2 rights tubes, they upgraded the input / output modules. The C2600 seems to be a nice upgrade in that regard.

The ESS 9018 dac module on the C2600 is Wadia inspired ( since they absorbed Wadia Digital) . Big upgrade compared to the older BB in the C2500.
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