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Which one to get: McIntosh C2300 or Mcintosh C2500

Hello.......looking for some opinion on whether I should get the McIntosh C2300 or the new C2500 tube preamp?...associated equipment includes all McIntosh (MCD500 SACD/CD player, MS300 Music Server, MR88 AM/FM/XM Tuner, and MC402 Power Amp)...driving a pair of Paradigm Signature S8 speakers...with Oppo BDP-105 Blu-Ray player and VPI Traveler Turntable.......

The C2500 supposedly has a built-in DAC. Does anyone know how good this DAC is?........thank you.......
jcmc27281
bondmanp
1,811 posts
 
For cheap tubes that made a big improvement in my humble C220, try Mullard reissues. I paid $40 for each matched pair. They sound smoother, are quieter, and are better at soundstaging and imaging than the stock tubes. Check out the McIntosh forum on the audio circle site for more on tubes.
miner42
709 posts
 
I use Psvane Treasures in my C2300. I have tried Tele ribbed, Mullard, Sovtek, Gold Lions, Tungsol and ended up with the Psvanes. If you go with them spend the extra for the 'selected' ones - see Grant Fidelity.
bondmanp
1,811 posts
 
oops, sorry. The McIntosh forum is on the audiokarma site.
miketuason
337 posts
 
I too have the C2300 got it a month before the end of the production. I immediately rolled my tube to the Telefunken smooth plate on the MC phono and Gold Lion super cry on the Line Stage. I'm very happy with these tube.
miner42
709 posts
 
As an update, my Psvanes have become noisy. I put the Tele ribbed back into the MC stage, left the Mc stock in MM stage, and Gold Lions in the line stage. All is well now.
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