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Opinions on McIntosh C20 Preamp?
- Thread starter BuzzK
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analog addict
Glory or Death!
Congrats!
I hear that's one of the top two toob Mc pre-amps, along with the C-22...
Check in the Mc forum for more info....:thmbsp:
I hear that's one of the top two toob Mc pre-amps, along with the C-22...
Check in the Mc forum for more info....:thmbsp:
jcmjrt
Addicted Member
Yes, it's worth restoring - as long as it isn't a rusted mass that has been run over by a Mac truck - probably no at that point.
I have an MX110 Z which is a wonderful preamp as well as a tuner. It's paired with some MC30's and JBL horns right now. I've completely restored the MX110 and had no issues. I don't think it sounds hard at all but what you use to restore it and what else it's paired with could make a big difference.
Phototone
Super Member
Yes, it's worth restoring - as long as it isn't a rusted mass that has been run over by a Mac truck - probably no at that point.
I have an MX110 Z which is a wonderful preamp as well as a tuner. It's paired with some MC30's and JBL horns right now. I've completely restored the MX110 and had no issues. I don't think it sounds hard at all but what you use to restore it and what else it's paired with could make a big difference.
The MX110 is a completely different design of its preamp stage to the C-20 preamp. I find the C-20 kinda hard sounding with any power amp, and I have mostly different McIntosh tube power amps, but also have Dyna. I also have many different speaker choices, including Horn loaded, and Acoustic Suspension and Ported. But you are correct...ALL McIntosh gear is worth restoring. Of all the McIntosh preamps I have, which are C-20, C-11 and newish C-22 commemorative, I prefer the sound of the C-20 least. The C-20 was McIntosh first stereo preamp, followed by the C-11 and a few years later the C-22, then the C-22 was reissued with new internal design, but external cosmetics identical to the original C-22 sometime in the 1990's.
jcmjrt
Addicted Member
I've always heard that the MX-110 was basically a C-20 preamp and MR67 tuner combined into one unit.
Phototone
Super Member
The McIntosh C-20 preamp uses 8 tubes, and is essentially 2 mono preamps on one chassis..with one power supply..more or less. Unless the MX-110 uses 7 tubes just for audio (and not tuner and RF functions) then it can't be equivalent to a C-20. (The 8th tube in the C-20 is the rectifier for B+)
soundmotor
super modified
I think the C20 is the best looking of all Mc tube preamps.
The MX110 has a Compactron with (3) 12AX7 equivalents. So it is possible that the circuit could be similar (I haven't verified this, though) with fewer parts count.
Buzz
Phototone
Super Member
The C-20 uses 5-12AX7's and 2-12AU7's and a 6x5 rectifier. Not similar. A compactron would only have 2 or 3 triode sections.
.nilo.
Active Member
+1:yes:
ferninando
Lunatic Member
I had my friend's on my bench and he ranks it with the Marantz 7 or 8. whichever is the preamp. He recapped it and loves it.
pretty easy to work on/. get rid of all the "bumblebee' caps tho and recap the whole thing with GOOD new caps of your choice. JJ has a can cap that fits for one of the 3 I think it has.
Have fun a nd keep it. they aint cheep.
how bout some pics?
pretty easy to work on/. get rid of all the "bumblebee' caps tho and recap the whole thing with GOOD new caps of your choice. JJ has a can cap that fits for one of the 3 I think it has.
Have fun a nd keep it. they aint cheep.
how bout some pics?
Last edited:
arts
Addicted Member
I still have the C20 that I picked up in the 1980s. Other than having replaced a failed filter cap (heater supply, iirc), installing missing tubes and cleaning the controls and switches, mine was as it left the factory. Sounded great for many years, especially the phono stage. Unfortunately, the usual issues with the bumblebees, carbon comps, volume control/switch and remaining filter caps became apparent as time went on, so I retired her to the "to-do" pile.
You would be extremely hard pressed to find a better full-featured preamp, and the only equals to this machine go for really silly money. Unless this one is absolutely mint and all original and warrants being preserved as a museum piece, order some top quality replacement parts and let the restoration begin
The rectifier is a 6X4.
You would be extremely hard pressed to find a better full-featured preamp, and the only equals to this machine go for really silly money. Unless this one is absolutely mint and all original and warrants being preserved as a museum piece, order some top quality replacement parts and let the restoration begin
The rectifier is a 6X4.
C-20s are versatile preamps, highly regarded by most owners. There are at least two versions. The early version has the brass face. Later version has the backlit glass fascia.
For mono disc collectors, these preamps with multiple phono EQ playback curves are highly desirable.
BTW, could some owners kindly post the actual schematics of the C-20 on this thread ? That would be very much appreciated.
For mono disc collectors, these preamps with multiple phono EQ playback curves are highly desirable.
BTW, could some owners kindly post the actual schematics of the C-20 on this thread ? That would be very much appreciated.
arts
Addicted Member
Thank You, Sir ! Season's Greetings !
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