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Old 09-10-2021, 08:37 AM
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Default Phono Preamp

Don't get me wrong as I really enjoy my system as is. I was just curious if I would gain anything by adding a phono preamp into the mix. I have the C2600 tube preamp and it has from what I have heard a good phono input. I use the MC inputs for my setup. Considering the C2600, is it a tube phone preamp? If I added the MP100 would that enhance my setup. I would use one of the other inputs with balanced cables from the MP100. I tried to read the specs but they make very little sense to me. I know that Mc makes the MP1100 tube phono preamp but that is a very expensive unit. I could also be bored and just need a new project to work through.
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My System: Amp-McIntosh MC611(2) :Pre-McIntosh C2700, MP1100 :CD/SACD-McIntosh MCD600 :Speakers-McIntosh XR100 :Power Controller-McIntosh MPC1500 :Turntable-VPI HW40 Ortofon Cadenza Black :Cables-Morrow PH5,MA5 and Elite Speaker Cables :Headphones-McIntosh MPH1000 :Record Cleaner Klaudio KD-CLN-LP200T
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Old 09-10-2021, 11:29 AM
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I don’t have the C2600 but I do have the C2300 and I use the MC tube phonostage of the 2300 and I must say it is darn pretty good in fact it sounds better the than some of the separate phono stage that cost twice as much specially now that I rolled the MC tubes with the Telefunken smooth plate. I’m am sure the C2600 is just as good if not better.
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Old 09-10-2021, 11:33 AM
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Thanks Mike. I am probably going to do nothing. I wish I had access to borrow a phono preamp but nothing is close to me without driving 2 hours.
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My System: Amp-McIntosh MC611(2) :Pre-McIntosh C2700, MP1100 :CD/SACD-McIntosh MCD600 :Speakers-McIntosh XR100 :Power Controller-McIntosh MPC1500 :Turntable-VPI HW40 Ortofon Cadenza Black :Cables-Morrow PH5,MA5 and Elite Speaker Cables :Headphones-McIntosh MPH1000 :Record Cleaner Klaudio KD-CLN-LP200T
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Bill
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Old 09-10-2021, 06:55 PM
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Through my research and purchases expect to spend in excess of $2000 to better your current onboard setup. Great improvement by replacing the Mc branded tubes with a $200 outlay (for a pair).
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Old 09-11-2021, 08:43 PM
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I have never thought about getting an external phono pre to use with my C2300. If you want to experiment, you could always roll different tubes into your MC stage and see what you prefer as already mentioned.
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Old 09-26-2021, 09:50 PM
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I bid on a used MP100 that was on ebay. It just ended and sold for $2,160. I quit biding days ago as it got above what I considered a good deal for a used unit. Absolutely ridiculous since the retail is $2,000 for a new unit. There are several online retailers that have them in stock and this is something that they can ship. Most McIntosh equipment must be delivered by the dealer or picked up at the dealers store.
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My System: Amp-McIntosh MC611(2) :Pre-McIntosh C2700, MP1100 :CD/SACD-McIntosh MCD600 :Speakers-McIntosh XR100 :Power Controller-McIntosh MPC1500 :Turntable-VPI HW40 Ortofon Cadenza Black :Cables-Morrow PH5,MA5 and Elite Speaker Cables :Headphones-McIntosh MPH1000 :Record Cleaner Klaudio KD-CLN-LP200T
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Bill
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Old 09-26-2021, 09:52 PM
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Try a Zestos Andros phono stage some time....it is... the best phono stage I've ever heard. And, I own good one.
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Old 09-27-2021, 08:59 PM
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I have a C2300 withh Telefunken ribbed plates in the MC phono section. Really upped the phono game so much I sold my Chinook SE. I now have a PS Audio Stellar phono stage. Very pleased with the performance. Will be keeping it.

PS Audio allows an in-home 30 day trial period. If not happy with the unit you can return for full refund. Plus, if you have any extra gear collecting dust you may be able to get some trade in value towards the phono stage. Details on their web site.
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Last edited by miner; 09-28-2021 at 09:31 AM. Reason: Additional information
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Old 09-27-2021, 10:05 PM
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Fbgbill....I can't speak to the comparison of the MP100 vs. one of the C2XXX on-board phono stages, whether it would or would not be an upgrade. But I can tell you that I love my MP100 that I bought a few months ago. I would agree you should not pay more than retail; I suspect some eBay sellers are taking advantage of the current availability and lead time of McIntosh and probably other products as well. My MP100 is sounding better and better as it breaks in. I am using a C40 preamp which does not have an MC input, so the MP100 was a perfect solution for me. Oh and did I mention I love it? I just finished up a session with it, and it sounds sweet, sweet, sweet.

I bought mine as part of my TT upgrade, the main part of which is a VPI Prime signature Rosewood, with an Ortofon Cadenza Black MC Cartridge.

In case you haven't seen my post, here is the link to it. I discuss the MP100 as part of my TT review.

https://www.audioaficionado.org/showthread.php?t=49978

Good luck, whatever you decide!
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Main System: VPI Prime Signature TT in Rosewood, Ortofon Cadenza Black, Stillpoints LP1 V2, McIntosh: MP100, MR78, MCD1000 Transport on Stillpoint Ultra Minis, MDA1000 D/A Converter on Stillpoint Ultra Minis, MS750 Music Server, C40, MC501's (3), Soundcraftsmen: DC2215 Eq/AS1000 Real time analyzer, DBX 3BX II, Carver C9, Nakamichi Dragon, Crown SX724, Crown D-75A (as headphone amp), Sony XBR55X900E 4K TV, JBL L220A's, JBL B460, Sumo Delilah active crossover, WireWorld Silver Eclipse audio interconnects, WireWorld Starlight and Silver Starlight Coaxial Digital interconnects, Wireworld SuperNova 7 Toslink digital interconnect, WireWorld Aurora 7 and Silver Electra Power cords, Wireworld Silver Eclipse 8 speaker cables, Terk AF-1 Powered Antenna, Oppo UDP-205 4K Blu-Ray Player, Bryson BUC-1 USB Converter, Wireworld Gold Starlight XLR Digital interconnect, PS Audio Direct Stream Power Plant 12 on Stillpoint Ultra Minis, PS Audio Dectect, FuruTech Flux-50 NCF Inline Power Filter, Add-Powr Wizard EM Field AC Line conditioner; Stillpoint Ultra SS's under (3) McIntosh MC501 Amplifiers

Florida Room/Art Studio System: Harmon Kardon T60 TT/Ortofon 2M Black, McIntosh: MR77, C32, MC2205; Crown Power Line Four, Wyred for Sound DAC-2 Digital to Analog converter, Soundcraftsmen AE2000 Eq, JBL 4313B's, JBL 2241-based Sub, JBL BX63A Active Crossover, Oppo BDP-105D Blu-Ray Player, Samsung 5500 Series 32" Smart TV, Terk AF-1 Powered Antenna

Master Bedroom System: McIntosh: MX120 Theater processor, MC206 6-channel amplifier; MR74 AM/FM Tuner, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, JVC HM-DH40000U D-Theater Digital VHS, Phase Technology PC80 Towers (now used as stands), (2) JBL 4401's, (1) JBL Studio 6IW speaker, (2) JBL Studio 6IC speakers, Sony XBR-49X900E UHD TV, Panamax 1000 Line Conditioner, (2) JL Audio E110 Subwoofers, Wireworld Solstice speaker cables, Wireworld Aurora Power cords, Wireworld Equinox and Solstice speaker cables and various other flavors of Wireworld and Audioquest cabling

Office System: Marantz 150 Tuner, Crown DL 2, Crown EQ 2, Crown SA 2, Crown D-75A (as headphone amp), McIntosh MCD7009 (as transport), DBX 3BX Series II, Oppo BDP-103 Blu-ray player, JBL 4401's, JL Audio E112 Subwoofer, Samsung 5500 series 32" Smart TV, Wire World Oasis audio interconnects, Wire World Solstice speaker cables, Wyred for Sound DAC-2 DSDse Digital to Analog converter, Wireworld Starlight Coaxial Digital Interconnect, Sennheiser HD800 Headphones, Sennheiser HDVA600 Headphone amp, Wireworld Silver Eclipse Balanced Interconnects, Wireworld Platinum Starlight USB Cable, Add-Powr EAU-2 AC Harmonic resonator

High Resolution Source: HP Omen 17" Gaming Laptop
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  #10  
Old 09-28-2021, 07:16 AM
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Fbgbill Fbgbill is offline
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Thanks Pete. Your VPI is one gorgeous TT. I can get the MP100 for retail plus some shipping from several sources. No clue why someone would pay over retail for a used unit that will have no warranty. I am still undecided if I will try one. At lease I could sell it for over retail if I did not like the results!!!!!!
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My System: Amp-McIntosh MC611(2) :Pre-McIntosh C2700, MP1100 :CD/SACD-McIntosh MCD600 :Speakers-McIntosh XR100 :Power Controller-McIntosh MPC1500 :Turntable-VPI HW40 Ortofon Cadenza Black :Cables-Morrow PH5,MA5 and Elite Speaker Cables :Headphones-McIntosh MPH1000 :Record Cleaner Klaudio KD-CLN-LP200T
Thanks,
Bill
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