Pass Labs vs. McIntosh Preamps

The C2200, which is tubed, is the McIntosh pre I'm primarily interested in - I included the C46 for comparison (as their sound is similar from what I've read).

Anyone with Pass Labs and McIntosh preamp comparison experience?

I demoed the C46 and C2200 at home for a couple of weeks.

The C46 has better bass and bass drive and has better top to bottom coherence.

I thought the C2200 was somewhat lean in the upper mids/lower treble but it did do have that tube treble which was nice. With the weak bass and leaness in the upper upper mids it gave a presentation that I did not like

Overall I preferred the c46. amps were MC2102's and MC501's.

It's been a while but a Pass Labs combo I had in the house was jaw dropping in it's transparancy and a little weak in the bass with the Martin Logan Aerius I had at the time. I took it back because I could not stand to listen to any of my popular CDs through that system. Talk about hearing the source. I bought Musical Fidelity's best which has now been replaced with an MC402 and a C2300. I tried the MC2200 but it is not in the same league. Not even close. I can highly recommend the C2300 and the MC402 with my current speakers, Martin Logan Summits.

Gmartan,
which Musical Fidelity are you talking about?
Regards,
Florian Hassel

Gmartan: ...and a C2300. I tried the MC2200 but it is not in the same league. Not even close.

Glad to hear Mac improved on the C2200, it has always gotten mixed reviews. I had a friend purchase the C2200 and he was very disappointed.