Suggestions on Pre Power pairing

[rthomeint]

Hello,

I never much thought about McIntosh until I spent a few hours last week listening to various McIntosh pieces. I went in to listen to the MA352. I am now thinking about 3 different setups.

1. C2700 and MC312.

2. C22 and MC462.

3. MA1200.


I heard the C2700 and MC312 and like that combo a lot. I also listened to the MA352 and the MA1200. I really like the MA1200, But I think I would like to have separates. I did not hear either the C22 or the MC462. I don''t plan on using the DAC module in the C2700 but I do like the flexibility of the preamp over all.

The three choices above are about the same cost. I would like the opinions of those who have far more McIntosh experience than I do. One of my questions is is the MC462 that much better than the MC312. Does the Quad balanced circuit in the MC462 make for better sound quality?

[FreddieFerric]

If you don't need the DA2 of the C2700 you should move down. What source components do you have. The C22 is a great preamp without a tape loop or digital inputs nor does it support a phono stage.

What are you going to use as source components? That answer should go a long way in your decisions.

[rthomeint]

My main source is the Holo Audio May KTE dac. I also have an old Sota Satellite turntable. I think most of the features of the C2700 would go unused in my system. I am curious about the DA2 module.

[McIntosh-maTRiX]

Originally Posted by rthomeint

2. C22 and MC462.

Hello,
absolutely the combination C22 / MC462 is the winning one:
the 462 is a fantastic amplifier produced by Mac, the most powerful stereo amplifier ever produced by the house of Binghamton.
See for yourself the differences, these are the salient ones:

Compare Products: MC312 - MC 462

S/N below rated output:122dB
Dynamic Headroom:3.0dB
Quad Balanced Design

Quad Balanced Design = best S/N

The C22 is an analog show with a valve preamp unit.
I wouldn't ask yourself any more questions.

[Stahle]

Originally Posted by FreddieFerric

The C22 is a great preamp without a tape loop or digital inputs nor does it support a phono stage.

Where do you get this information? The C22 has both a tape loop and and incredible MM and MC phono stage.

[McIntosh-maTRiX]

Originally Posted by Stahle

The C22 has both a tape loop and and incredible MM and MC phono stage.

C22-MKV
You're right:
I don't know the other versions, but the Mk V has those connections.

[FreddieFerric]

My bad. Don't know what I was thinking. C22 does support both MM and MC carts. Does not have a tape loop or fixed output. That fact is what shot it down as a candidate for my now delayed arrival MC1502.

[rthomeint]

I was wondering if there any sonic improvements brought quad balanced circuitry in the MC462 over the push pull Complementary circuitry in the MC312.

[McIntosh-maTRiX]

Originally Posted by rthomeint

I was wondering if there any sonic improvements brought quad balanced circuitry in the MC462 over the push pull Complementary circuitry in the MC312.

S/N below rated output:122dB
Dynamic Headroom:3.0dB
Quad Balanced Design

Quad Balanced Design = best S/N

[mrkkas]

I've heard the 462 many times and explored buying it as a replacement for my MC 302.

There's some design differences and in listening if you listen at higher volumes the 462 will provide benefits over the 312 - that's where the headroom and extra wattage makes has an impact.