C-26 vs C 28 Preamplifier

[Frankie's Market]

Hi All, I have a bit of a dilemma, I have a C-26 preamp and a C-28 preamp, both needing restoration. Eventually I'd like to have one with my 2505 amplifier and MR 77 tuner. Which preamp would you suggest I keep and why ? ( Yes all the gear needs some degree of restoration, so it will take awhile before its up and running. Thanks in advance for the advice , and Happy Holidays and Merry Krimble! Ed

 

[Alibi]

If you can swing it, why not restore both and decide for yourself. You can always sell one. They are different circuits, and in my opinion quite different sounding. The 26 is very open but not as cohesive and full as the 28. The 28 is definitely a darker sound, and an A/B will quickly reveal this. The trouble I had was deciding which one because they both are good and grow on you for different reasons.

 

[vahe]

This is not what you want to hear but here it goes.
I started with C26, moved up to C28, moved up again to C29 and that is the one that I kept for a quarter century, if you can move up to a C29. To me the C29 is the oldest vintage preamp worth considering

Vahe

 

[david10024]

I had a c26 and mc2505 set up about 12 years ago. It was fine. I was always told by dealers that the C28 was a better preamp than the C26. It seemed to go for a higher price. The C26 used to make a thump when I turned it on, but it was beautiful. You might check used prices. If the C28 still sells for more, that might be the one to restore.

 

[perryinva]

I've not heard a C26, but I was/am pleased with my C28. I especially like the separate L&R bass/treble and lighted selector points. However, I now use a C33 as it has a noticeably lower noise & hum floor, is much more versatile, (especially for recording) and the 5 band EQ is more useful to me than separate L&R B&T. I have 2 C33's and both are outstanding. I use one as an integrated in my office (the monitor amp is fairly amazing), actually, and the other with an MC2205 at home. In general, as far as analog goes, newer is usually better up to the C33. The C32 had some ribbon wiring issues, otherwise similar to the C33. C29's are somewhat rare, C28's VERY common, so I don't think they will go for much more than a C26, which had a fairly low build. If both require appreciable work (greater than $3-400 each, and expect $200 with S&H to be the MINIMUM per unit), then you are far better off selling what you have and investing in a better unit, that has been serviced (C29, C32, C33). I picked up my 2nd C33 for $700, with an original Mac box, and it is near perfect, though that is a very good price. $1000 is more typical. A fully serviced C28 is worth maybe $600 on a good day, an unknown unit maybe $300-350. So if you take the $200 you would have spent (min) ea on a C28 & C26 repair and get $300 for the C28 and $250 for the C26, you're already at $950, and would end up with a much better piece.

 

[Brian]

As an owner of a C28, MR77 and MC250 (the MC2505 sans glass and meters) as well as the MC2105 I can tell you the combo is great. The C26 is a very nice preamp but when both were in production the 28 was clearly the better in terms of noise, detail coloration and flexibility. The one advantage of the 26 is the simpler design for multiple speakers. The C28 uses the outboard SCR-1/1A that always seemed to me to be about as complex a way to solve a simple problem. Of course with the A version you also get the AC switching for power amps saving the on/off controls.

I'd vote for a 28 restoration. If the 26 is working you probably can sell it and have sufficient proceeds to fund the restoration of the 28. Of course, you'll not go wrong restoring the 26 either.

 

[ehoove]

I would put my restoration dollars in the next generation of preamps the C27 and C29, which have none of the Volume control issues of the C28 series.
Regards,
Jim