C220 vs C46

[MM622]

If Power amp is MC252, I wonder if I use C220 and C46 has any big difference in sound character?

PS: I know C2200/ C2300 is better than C220 and C46, and MC402 is better than MC252, but too expensive for me.

 

[Big Mac]

I have a C220 and have used it with a 1966 MC250 amp....the combo sounds wonderful...

Having the C220 and its tubes plus the wonderful 252 SS amp would be a great match.....I think most will agree on this.....tube pre and SSs amp as opposed to the other way around.

 

[PartTimeJedi]

I have had the C220 and the C46, I think they both have their strengths, I personally preferred the C46, it's a smooth and transparent pre, I found the C220 not enough for what I liked in a sound (lacked transient detail). What I did find is that if you have a bright CD etc I would use C220 to counter otherwise I would go for C46. I also found if you have very efficient speakers the C220 seemed to do better. I myself use inefficient speakers so liked the C46, in fact I would say its most probably one of my all time favourite pre’s.

 

[MM622]

What about if C46 + MC252 vs MA6900? Will it much better than MA6900 ? Has more transparent ?

 

[jakeman]

I demo'd both at home on a SS Bryston 4BSST. I liked them both for different reasons. The C46 had better weight and resolution in the lower frequencies while the C220 had superior midrange and high frequency air. The equalization in the C46 did not make that much difference in my room. After taking a poll I opted for the tubed c220 becaused of its superior tonality especially in the mids.

I suspect if I had had the mc2102 at the time I may have gone with the c46. I'm going to make a bold statement that will be fraught with exceptions. Generally speaking, I'm finding tube/SS or SS/tube sound better than an all tube or all SS pairing.

 

[olli_1963]

If Power amp is MC252, I wonder if I use C220 and C46 has any big difference in sound character?

PS: I know C2200/ C2300 is better than C220 and C46, and MC402 is better than MC252, but too expensive for me.

The C220 sounds really better than a C2200 and is en par with the C2300.
Those were my impressions when I heard those at the dealer.
The C220 has less features but great sound.
For the price it is a bargain.
So I went with the C220.
Didn't compare it to the C46 because I wanted a tube-pre and ss-poweramp.

 

[TOM1040]

I am a big fan of SS equipment. Love my MC402 & C46 with my JBL horns.
(S2600).

 

[cjguest]

What about if C46 + MC252 vs MA6900? Will it much better than MA6900 ? Has more transparent ?

The C46/MC252 combo will yield better sound than the MA6900 will. The C46 is a better preamp than the preamp section of the 6900 (which is based on the C41). I like the electronic volume control and tone bypass of the 46. The extra 50 watts is also a nice plus.