C2200 Vs C2300
- Thread starter cvanro1
- Start date
tjnif
Active Member
Shane congrats on the C2300! I bought mine and sold my C2200,along w/ the Manley and PHD.......best thing I ever did! The C2300 is better in EVERY respect than all of the above! Can't understand why some here think the C2200 sounds better, I just dont see it or hear it!
If you did, you would not have the C2300 right?
Just enjoy what you like! :thmbsp:
Cheers!
Shane
Active Member
Thanks Dude, It took me some swaying back n forth in ditching the Pass Xono as it is a great phono stage, but bundling that into the trade in made the upgrade to c2300 quite painless financially.
keep us all updated on the LED kit, as it would be great to the 4 x MC2102 dials to look as clear as the c2300 meters
Shane
Active Member
Shane
Active Member
If you did, you would not have the C2300 right?
Just enjoy what you like! :thmbsp:
Cheers!
Jerry coming from the super upgrader - have you tried the c2300??
tjnif
Active Member
I would think (imagine that) that everyone else would be in the same ballpark re. the C2300 c2200. Its just NOT the phono stage....Its the whole package! Everything bout the C2300 is better than the latter. Depth, Dynamics , harmonic content,flexibility...Its sort of like a Porsche, its ever evolving,and each iteration becomes better than the last.....Ditto
Shane
Active Member
I guess that is why some many brand's co-exist and even MAC has so many models. Everyone has different versions of their audio Utopia.
Remember we like tube amps as well :thmbsp: but many of our Mac collegues use mac SS amps - go figure
howiebrou
Super Member
I have to admit that I have demoed both through identical systems and prefer the 2200.
Glad you are enjoying your 2300 though!
tjnif
Active Member
I wish I liked the c2200 better....let alone the Manley steelhead ect,ect.. i t would of saved me some $$$!! Has anyone compared the C500/C1000 to the C2300?? I am of course biased as to how the phono section compares!I have to admit that I have demoed both through identical systems and prefer the 2200.
Shane
Active Member
I have to admit that I have demoed both through identical systems and prefer the 2200.
Howie, Why did you sonically prefer the C2200 over the c2300??
How is the Nagra VPS going - I really wanna hear one
howiebrou
Super Member
I have compared all three (C2200 / C2300 / C500 / C1000) through identical systems (MCD/MDA, 1201, XRT2K). You know I preferred the 2200. The C500 was also significantly different from the 2300. I heard a lot firmer bass in the 500. To me the sound of the 2300 appeared 'thin' and 'harsh' compartively. Don't get me wrong, compared to other brands the 2300 was also smooth but compared to the 500 it was rather thin sounding. When I heard the 2300 I thought the Mac sound had changed quite significantly. In fact all the new Mac products have a slightly more 'modern' sound signature, moving away from what other users of other brands would call 'slow, smooth, low resolution' etc etc. I did not try the phono stage of the 2300.
I was hoping that the C500 would be 95% of the C1000 but again there was a big difference and the price of the C1000 seemed not too bad in comparison if you only bought a 2 box version. The C1000 control, resolution, blackness (silence) was incredible and I still don't see it being challenged in the mac line up.
All are great pieces for their price range imho, but I think there is a marked difference between them.:yes:
howiebrou
Super Member
Hope my previous post helped answer. The 2200 is more 'neutral' compared to the 2300 I think. May be I just need time to adjust to the new Mac sound :scratch2:
The Nagra VPS is fantastic. Right now I am cartridge less as my Denon had a major accident during the house move :tears: Am trying to save up for a PC-1, Condor or Koetsu Urushi Vermilllion :thmbsp:
Btw, I think the Nagra works best with middle output cartridges. My Denon which is 0.23Mv I think struggled with the Nagra which on 'high' output only pumps out 50db or so. I did not like the solid state path but have not really burned that path in at all so may be its unfair. But the tube was absolutely magical from day one. I did have to turn the PLL volume to 2 oclock sometimes but amazingly there was no tube noise at all even at full volume! Its definitely worth a demo I think. Toneaudio has a nice review in the latest issue. :yes:
howie
direct C2200 vs. C2300
Hallo,
I own both, the c2200 and the c2300.
I have done an intensive comparison with my system. Now my system runs with the C2300/ MC501. I will not sale the C2200. I will store it for my second system in the far future.
There is a sonic difference between these both. But I will not say that one is better than the other. It depends on what you prefer.
1) There is no harshness, either the C2200 nor the C2300
2) The C2200 sounds more forward to the listener, especially in the upper bass and the lower voices (men voices). That causes, that thin recordings sound fuller and more alive and small speaker sounds more spectacular. The highs are a little bit rounded and darkened, that gives a very pleasing taste to the music. You can enjoy the music for hours without getting stressed or getting bitten by extreme dynamic jerky leaps.
But there are some disadvantages:
3) If you listen to music with a lot of bass, like electronica, goa/ trance, funk or e-bass music, you will recognise that the bass is extremely spectacular, with a kind of cloudy softness. If you listen to classic music, you will notice, that the instruments are to close to the listener. There is not enough “air” and 3D dimension in the music, but
I LIKE THAT!
4) The C2300 gives more realistic 3D effect to the music. The bass is not so bloated, but it is not thin. The energy of the music is consistent distributed to all ranges of frequencies. That causes an overall natural balance. You can listen to all kinds of music, without getting blown away by the bass. The highs are not harsh, they are very natural. You can recognise more real deep bass, which sounds very warm, but not out of control. I LIKE THAT TOO!
5) The headphone amplifier of the C2300 sound a little bit thin, compared to the main output.
I hope that gives a little help for a decision.
Greeting from Germany
Hallo,
I own both, the c2200 and the c2300.
I have done an intensive comparison with my system. Now my system runs with the C2300/ MC501. I will not sale the C2200. I will store it for my second system in the far future.
There is a sonic difference between these both. But I will not say that one is better than the other. It depends on what you prefer.
1) There is no harshness, either the C2200 nor the C2300
2) The C2200 sounds more forward to the listener, especially in the upper bass and the lower voices (men voices). That causes, that thin recordings sound fuller and more alive and small speaker sounds more spectacular. The highs are a little bit rounded and darkened, that gives a very pleasing taste to the music. You can enjoy the music for hours without getting stressed or getting bitten by extreme dynamic jerky leaps.
But there are some disadvantages:
3) If you listen to music with a lot of bass, like electronica, goa/ trance, funk or e-bass music, you will recognise that the bass is extremely spectacular, with a kind of cloudy softness. If you listen to classic music, you will notice, that the instruments are to close to the listener. There is not enough “air” and 3D dimension in the music, but
I LIKE THAT!
4) The C2300 gives more realistic 3D effect to the music. The bass is not so bloated, but it is not thin. The energy of the music is consistent distributed to all ranges of frequencies. That causes an overall natural balance. You can listen to all kinds of music, without getting blown away by the bass. The highs are not harsh, they are very natural. You can recognise more real deep bass, which sounds very warm, but not out of control. I LIKE THAT TOO!
5) The headphone amplifier of the C2300 sound a little bit thin, compared to the main output.
I hope that gives a little help for a decision.
Greeting from Germany
Shane
Active Member
Funny how we all hear slightly different.
Howie, not disputing what you heard at the store when you compared. But Ultimately listening at home is the best option ( if you can of course)
My view is similar to tjnf and macgermany at what they have heard in their systems. The C2300 is just more realistic and overall top to bottom more natural and coherant balance. v the C2200.
Anyway, C2200, C2300 C500 all excellent units.
cheers
Howie, not disputing what you heard at the store when you compared. But Ultimately listening at home is the best option ( if you can of course)
My view is similar to tjnf and macgermany at what they have heard in their systems. The C2300 is just more realistic and overall top to bottom more natural and coherant balance. v the C2200.
Anyway, C2200, C2300 C500 all excellent units.
cheers
howiebrou
Super Member
You could well be right about the 2300 being more realistic. Honestly I am never too bothered about whether a product is realistic as long as it sounds good to me! I also concur about the home demo. Nothing beats that!
Hi Shane,
Yes I did while on vacation with family to Hong Kong (met Howie and his friend for a drink in my hotel. Very nice meeting/gathering).
Heard both preamps thru same amps and speakers (Thiel CS3.7) at Richcom AV the next day. Well, the C2200 sounded neutral while the C2300 had a tinge more "clarity and openness" at the first instance. However, once switched back to the C2200, the sound is that much more palatable and smooth. I prefer neutrality. This factor made me decide to purchase a C2200G (Gold Hue) a second time to match my 3xMC2000's.
Dont get me wrong, the C2300 is a very nice preamp. However, to me, the C2200G gave me a better sense of satisfaction and I think in the long run a better producer in musicality. Bias? Probably .. but certainly, I do not have any regrets not purchasing the C2300 nor think about it. That speaks a lot for me as this simply meant, I have found my right tube combo!:thmbsp:
Sorry for the late reply as am very busy these two days.
Cheers!
Scottsmrnyc
Scottsmrnyc
Hi all, How would you compare the sound of the C2300 to the Stereo Mode sound of the MX 136?????
Scottsmrnyc
Scottsmrnyc
howiebrou
Super Member
Like chalk and cheese my friend! :yes:
exracer
music speaks
swiss or gouda? :scratch2:
