Which Mac preamp, vintage or new, do you believe has the best phono stage. I listen to vinyl 80% of the time and have been lusting after the C 2200. Is there a better preamp for me for less money? I'm currently using a pristine C26 and Mac 2102 amp with Scout TT. Thanks for your input.

I listen to a lot of records with my system (Denon DP-52F/Signet TK-10ML). My preamp is a C46. It is mighty fine. Mighty fine...

I have the Parasound ZPhono and I'm very happy with it. It also just got a C recommendation from Stereophile in the latest Recommneded Components edition. The only comment was that it was "a bit noisy in MC mode" - I have a MM cartridge so no probs. Costs like $125.

But it's certainly not a Mac! :smoke:

I hear the Musical Fidelity phono stage is very good. I have been contemplating a turntable for a while. I was thinking about a Rega P5, but I read some good things about the Pro-Ject 2Experience which has a solid clear acrylic base that looks really cool. I'd like to be under $1500 with cartridge and phono stage. Any thoughts?

-JR-

I spent many years using my Dynakit PAS2 then switched to SS receivers in the 70's and then back to the Separates again and my PAS2 in the 80's. About a year and a half ago I got a good deal and purchased a Mcintosh C24. OMG! did the phono stage blow away all that came before. I also bought an MX 113 which is supposed to have a C26 preanp inside. I was disappointed with the phono. It's OK but, not a C 24. I like to C 24 so much I bought a non-working unit to restore for a spare. Keep something in mind. When the C 24 was introduced, it was Mcintosh's first SS preamp and was the result of 3 years or R&D. Also, it was an era when, in my opinion, the finest recordings were being produced and released on LP's. If it was a Mcintosh, it had to be good. :thmbsp:

Clyde

I love the phono stage on my c27. I do about 75% vinyl. Here's a IMHO, not only are phono pre's better without IC's, they are the best when they are part of the preamp, not a add on.

Assuming you are not looking for tubes, move up to the C28.

Thanks for all the replies so far. Brian - I haven't ruled out tubes, as I mentioned above, I'm thinking about a C2200. Just wondering how other Mac phono stages compare with that in the 2200.

I thoroughly enjoy the stage in my new Mx-135. Previously I have used phono amps in the C-32, C-28, Marantz 1120, Marantz 1200, and a Bottlehead Seduction. Out of all the ones I have used and own, I like the one in the 135 best for overall sound quality and reliability. It took some time to break in being initally harsh and cold. Day by day it gets markedly better. Of course, as with all things audio, YRMV.

Best of Luck

Artie

I have been using a C2200 for the last two years and I love it. I have not compaired it to any other McIntosh preamps but here are my findings.

I listen to LPs 90% of the time. The first year I had my C2200 I used its phono section with a Clearaudio Virtuoso wood mm cart and it sounded great. Then one of my friends was selling his BAT VK-P10 phono pre so I bought it. In compairing the BAT to the C2200 using the same Clearaudio wood cart the BAT added a little detail, a little better high frequency responce and a little better imaging. The BAT is my choice for sure but they are supprisingly close considering the BAT phono by itself costs as much as a C2200, this is high praise for the C2200. Then I moved up to a moving coil cart the Clearaudio Harmony and this was a much bigger improvement than going to the BAT. This moving coil cart added an increadible amount of detail. I have also listened to an EAR 834P in my system and it was about the same and the C2200 phono section, with a slight nod going to the EAR.

So I guess the moral of the story is the cart used will make more difference than the phono pre. And if you want to use a mc cart with the C2200 you will either need a step up transformer, off board phono pre, high output mc cart or turn your C2200 volume way up.

I would like to get a C1000 for my system as it has a mm/mc phono section which I have not heard yet but it should be as good as my BAT, I am trying to get my dealer to get one I could demo. At $17000 for the C1000 it may sound crazy but if you buy a C2200 then in the future add a high end phono pre then add a high end headphone amp this could cost $12000. If I could do it all again I would probably just buy a C1000 and be done with it, too bad the C1000 wasn't out when I bought my set up.

Hope this helps,
Victor

BillH2121,
you may want to (re)read the review of the C2200 and the C46 from TAS, which you find on the McIntosh-site. The reviewer mentioned that the phono stage of the C46 was quite a bit better than of the C2200. Both are MM-only, as far as I remember. An excellent phono stage for both MM and MC is in the C200, which I own. You may want to look out for a used C200 or C100, which is basically the same, and which you might be able to get used for the same money as a new C2200. You would not only get an incredible phono stage, but an even better preamp. I compared the two side by side, and as good as the C2200 is, the C200 is sonically better in all regards.

I can't understand why McIntosh included only an MM phono stage in the C2200, since I suspect that the kind of person who's interested in tube gear is likely to be interested in vinyl playback as well. While it's great that McIntosh has included an MM/MC phono stage with the C1000T, there's a pretty huge price gap between that and the C2200 ($4500 versus $15,000). I wonder whether McIntosh would consider making a standalone phono preamplifer, preferably a balanced design and tube drive output stage.

Dolstein,

Well said!

Victor

I LOVE the phono amp in my MX135. I've tried to beat it too. Musical fidelity, and some others up to $1200.00
Im Back to Mac!