I know this subject was disucssed before but I am thinking of getting a Mac preamp to match my SS amp .Looking at the C220 and C2300. What are the sonic differences between these two? Which one give better sound? What about the C2300? I don't use vinyl.

I have a c2300 that i just love. I can't talk for the 220, but i think that if your budget is enough the c2300 is a much better overall machine. Maybe the 220 is more budget-wise, but the look of the c2300 alone will enlight your day, trust me:tresbon:
Maybe someone who has both can talk about sonic differences. I've audiotioned the "old" 2200 and found it very good, a bit more "tubey" than the c2300. Since i prefer a dynamic, open and powerful sound i prefer the c2300.

Overall i suspect that sonic differences are minimal and very subtle. I didn't considered the 220 because it has not the passthroug version that i use a lot in my HT room.

Thanks Locutus2k. The C2300 is beautiful. Especially the green light from the window on the top. it looks really nice in the dark. I wish i could own one.
I would like to know how close the sound of C220 to the C2300 (or it sound totally different?). I don't use vinyl, so forget about the phono stage.
If C2300 alot better i don't mind to pay more to get one. If it's just better C220 a little bit. I'll go for C220.

I own a C2200. When I made the purchase, I listened to the C220 and C2200 in a side-by-side comparison. The C220 is obviously a very nice piece of equipment. But the C2200 offered a sound that was much more three dimensional. The sound simply had more presence.

I know that you asked about the C2300. But you also said that you will not be spinning vinyl. With that in mind, you can still probably get a NOS C2200 for considerably less than the C2300. Audio Classics is still offering them. I suggest it as an alternative to consider. I know . . . it doesn't have the green lights. But I wouldn't trade my C2200 simply for that feature, and in-store listening to the C2300 hasn't convinced me to make a trade either. That said, most of the reviews for the C2300 found in this forum are positive.

Good luck with your search.

I own a C2200. When I made the purchase, I listened to the C220 and C2200 in a side-by-side comparison. The C220 is obviously a very nice piece of equipment. But the C2200 offered a sound that was much more three dimensional. The sound simply had more presence.

I know that you asked about the C2300. But you also said that you will not be spinning vinyl. With that in mind, you can still probably get a NOS C2200 for considerably less than the C2300. Audio Classics is still offering them. I suggest it as an alternative to consider. I know . . . it doesn't have the green lights. But I wouldn't trade my C2200 simply for that feature, and in-store listening to the C2300 hasn't convinced me to make a trade either. That said, most of the reviews for the C2300 found in this forum are positive.

Good luck with your search.

+1 on Lightyears comments

I am also a happy owner of a C2200.
Give AC a call they probably have a unit ready to ship to you today :D

I compared the C220 and C2300 and found them to sound alike.
The C2300 a bit more precise, the C220 more lush and for me with a tad more musicality.
Maybe it sounds a little absurd because the C220 is the "budget" pre but it doesn't sound budget or worse than the C2300 only different.
As long as you don't need the meters on the pre and the MC-option for vinyl, I don't see any reason to go for the C2300.
Even as vinylist and admiring the meters I chose the C220.
But it will be your decision and I can only advise you to compare by yourself.

Both are excellent, but if you want the flexibility to try different MC preamps down the road, the C220 is the better way to go.

On the other hand, if you're happy with the C2300's MC preamp, it's one less box sitting on the shelf for the wife to ask questions about.

You guys know what I'm sayin'....

"Honey, what's that new box over there ? :nono:"

jblnut




I compared the C220 and C2300 and found them to sound alike.
The C2300 a bit more precise, the C220 more lush and for me with a tad more musicality.
Maybe it sounds a little absurd because the C220 is the "budget" pre but it doesn't sound budget or worse than the C2300 only different.
As long as you don't need the meters on the pre and the MC-option for vinyl, I don't see any reason to go for the C2300.
Even as vinylist and admiring the meters I chose the C220.
But it will be your decision and I can only advise you to compare by yourself.

Thanks for great responses. I guess i'm gonna get the C220 and save the money for a new CDP

Thanks for great responses. I guess i'm gonna get the C220 and save the money for a new CDP
You can push the C220 (and most other equipment) to a much higher level with the exchange of the micro-fuses.
I use special silver micro-fuses and they transformed my C220 to a Reference Pre.:thmbsp:
This has much more impact than the most expensive mains cables or tubes.
Just try it, you won't regret it.:D
You only regret that you haven't done it before, so I do.:tears:

You can push the C220 (and most other equipment) to a much higher level with the exchange of the micro-fuses.
I use special silver micro-fuses and they transformed my C220 to a Reference Pre.:thmbsp:
This has much more impact than the most expensive mains cables or tubes.
Just try it, you won't regret it.:D
You only regret that you haven't done it before, so I do.:tears:

What fuses? The white ones? Hi Fi tuning? In your amp as well?

What fuses? The white ones? Hi Fi tuning? In your amp as well?

Right!!!
Hifi-Tuning Ultimate.