Suggest upgrade from c2300 phono stage

I'd recommend going to the C500C/C500T in lieu of the C2300. Did that myself and never looking back. The C500 combo is down right quiet & had an awesome MC stage. Additionally, it is 99% of the soon to be discontinued 1000 series.

BOb

I'll add the phono stages in the C500 and 1000 series are identical and when comparing these two pre's with the C2300 on that aspect, the MC/MM within the C2300 is not even of same design/configuration.
Big upgrade from C2300 to C500/1000 series.

Bob

Bob,
I was under the impression that the MC phono stages were the same in the c2300, c500, and c1000. Are they not? What are the differences?

Pepe

Completely different in design and actual components. The fully balanced C500 & 1000 pre's have left & right MC modules whereas the MC circuitry in the non-balanced C2300 is incorporated on the main component board.

Bob

Pepe,

I have a friend with your amp and preamp and he can't say enough good things about the Aesthetic Rhea Signature in combination with them. He won't even use the C2300 phono stage, and didn't when he had an Art Audio Vinyl One, either. The Rhea retails at $7K.

I just bought the MC501 and have a C2300 on the way. My phono stage is a K&K Maxxed Out. In a few weeks I'll be able to give a report on how it mates with the Mac stuff. I think it's hard to beat at twice the price, though, and some people think it's better than the Rhea. I've never compared them.

You might want to check around and see if the phono stage in the C500/C1000 is substantially different from the C2300. Seems like I've read that it's not, though I'm not at all certain. Of course, the outboard PS and fully balanced circuitry of the more expensive Macs will make the phono section sound better, too.

Bill