2. amps-preamps
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Levinson 326s or McIntosh C200 ?

Has anyone heard both of these preamps in the same system? I would expect the Mac to be a bit warmer and the Levinson to be a bit more dynamic and detailed. This will be used primarily as a line stage for cd and a pass thru for theater surround.
Thanks in advance !
Bill
billandsol
zd542
5,339 posts
 
You may be suprised. I've heard both but never side by side. The 326 is a very refined, fairly smooth sounding preamp. Polite, as well. I wouldn't call it cold or very analytical, though. Its good all around and should work well with a wide variety of equipment. The Mac may be a little warmer and just a bit less detailed. It will the more dynamic of the 2. Its another good all around choice. Neither would be my absolute first choice, but I think both are great preamps.
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hk_fan
460 posts
 
Levinson 326 gets my vote. It sounds fantastic and the user interface is the best of just about any component I've ever used. It's dead quite and very resolving. The blackest background I have heard in my system.

It's the one component I have no real desire to upgrade. Pride of ownership is also off the charts.
vladimir
346 posts
 
I agree with Hk_fan. The 326S is a classic, as in one of the top preamps ever, IMHO.
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