Martin Angus
New Member
First Post...(in this forum)
I recently acquired a couple of Vintage McIntosh units at a steal price (since the seller could not confirm functionality). I gambled and looks like it was a good call. I bought an MC2105 power amp and the matching C28 pre-amp. After some cleaning (20 years of dust collection in storage), I powered up both with a Dim Bulb Tester that I built. The C28 was fine, the 2105 failed...blew fuses (needs output transistors). So the Amp is now being repaired leaving me impatiently fiddling with the C28.
I have another vintage unit that I bought new in 1982...Realistic (by Fostex) STA-2300 receiver, 120wpc 15-25k freq resp at .05% thd. I have always been impressed with the performance of this beauty...so I decided to isolate the built in STA pre-amp and compare it to the C28 both out-putting to the STA power amp section. I found it difficult to get a good impression of the differences due to the 5 min lag between re-hooking up cables, so I dug out my trusty old DJ mixer with cross fade capability. I split the source music to go to both pre-amp inputs, connected the mixer output to the STA power amp, and sent the two pre-amp outs to each side of the cross fade.
With all else being equal, (flat EQ, same volume, same vintage/available technology) output to amp then into Paradigm SE7-Mk3 speakers, the difference between the sound quality was very hard to discern. So I tried the headphone out from the mixer. All I can say is that the difference is very VERY subtle. The C28 seems to be slightly fuller sounding, bottom end richer though a tad less punchy.
Conclusion: I am as impressed as ever with the STA-2300 (selling for about $250-400 on the bay). It is a keeper for sure and severely overlooked by vintage buyers. I have to admit, I expected the C28 to blow its doors off, so maybe I need to recap? Perhaps the magic of the 2105/C28 combo with shed some light. Anyway, thought I'd share my A/B comparison with you good folks who are interested in vintage SS gear. Comments, insights welcome.
I recently acquired a couple of Vintage McIntosh units at a steal price (since the seller could not confirm functionality). I gambled and looks like it was a good call. I bought an MC2105 power amp and the matching C28 pre-amp. After some cleaning (20 years of dust collection in storage), I powered up both with a Dim Bulb Tester that I built. The C28 was fine, the 2105 failed...blew fuses (needs output transistors). So the Amp is now being repaired leaving me impatiently fiddling with the C28.
I have another vintage unit that I bought new in 1982...Realistic (by Fostex) STA-2300 receiver, 120wpc 15-25k freq resp at .05% thd. I have always been impressed with the performance of this beauty...so I decided to isolate the built in STA pre-amp and compare it to the C28 both out-putting to the STA power amp section. I found it difficult to get a good impression of the differences due to the 5 min lag between re-hooking up cables, so I dug out my trusty old DJ mixer with cross fade capability. I split the source music to go to both pre-amp inputs, connected the mixer output to the STA power amp, and sent the two pre-amp outs to each side of the cross fade.
With all else being equal, (flat EQ, same volume, same vintage/available technology) output to amp then into Paradigm SE7-Mk3 speakers, the difference between the sound quality was very hard to discern. So I tried the headphone out from the mixer. All I can say is that the difference is very VERY subtle. The C28 seems to be slightly fuller sounding, bottom end richer though a tad less punchy.
Conclusion: I am as impressed as ever with the STA-2300 (selling for about $250-400 on the bay). It is a keeper for sure and severely overlooked by vintage buyers. I have to admit, I expected the C28 to blow its doors off, so maybe I need to recap? Perhaps the magic of the 2105/C28 combo with shed some light. Anyway, thought I'd share my A/B comparison with you good folks who are interested in vintage SS gear. Comments, insights welcome.