• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

C2300 & MC2102 in the house

R

ruffoc

Well-Known Member
Finally made the move to separates. C2300 and MC2102. Just arrived today. Back is sore – had to move them to the 3rd floor, but got heroic help from my wife.

How does it sound? Fantastic. Love my MA2275, but the separates just have more of everything. Nice to have the connivance of a modern Mc Pre. The unit is quietest preamp I’ve ever used. There is a real continuity in the way these units sound together. From top to bottom everything seems very even.

Still exploring the features of the c2300. MC Phono section is very very good and exceptionally quiet. Having the adjustable loading is a real treat. Headphone amp is great too, I doubt a recording engineer could ask for more. As a bonus the meters work when you are in headphone mode! The pre, well it is a Mc pre!

Only downside so far is that the meters don’t match between the c2300 and mc2102.

Having spent time with all of the modern Mc tube amps (MA2275, mc275, mc2102) the mc2102 seems to be the most even handed throughout. the MA2275 stands up well against its big brothers, but has less power, force and dynamic punch with the lower frequencies. The mc275 may be a bit more fun and energetic, but the mc2102 is probably the more neutral tue amp i've ever heard – very very close to the mc solid state amp i'm familiar with (mc402 and 501s) but with that additional ‘magical midrange’ tubes seem to provide.

More later when I can do some critical listening.

Thanks for everyone who gave advice while made the move to separates.

Chris
 
Register to hide this ad
Congrats on your major upgrade! :yes:

I spent some time with the C2300 this last weekend and I was extremely impressed.

A few years ago I compared the MC2102 to the MC402 and in my system they sounded almost identical. Yes the MC2102 is very neutral and sounds great.

I'm guessing you will be up LATE tonight enjoying your new system. :music:

Victor
 
Give it a few more days, it will only get better! Leave it on 24/7 for the next few days to accelerate the break-in. This makes a big difference.
 
ruffoc said:
Finally made the move to separates. C2300 and MC2102. Just arrived today. Back is sore – had to move them to the 3rd floor, but got heroic help from my wife.

How does it sound? Fantastic. Love my MA2275, but the separates just have more of everything. Nice to have the connivance of a modern Mc Pre. The unit is quietest preamp I’ve ever used. There is a real continuity in the way these units sound together. From top to bottom everything seems very even.

Still exploring the features of the c2300. MC Phono section is very very good and exceptionally quiet. Having the adjustable loading is a real treat. Headphone amp is great too, I doubt a recording engineer could ask for more. As a bonus the meters work when you are in headphone mode! The pre, well it is a Mc pre!

Only downside so far is that the meters don’t match between the c2300 and mc2102.

Having spent time with all of the modern Mc tube amps (MA2275, mc275, mc2102) the mc2102 seems to be the most even handed throughout. the MA2275 stands up well against its big brothers, but has less power, force and dynamic punch with the lower frequencies. The mc275 may be a bit more fun and energetic, but the mc2102 is probably the more neutral tue amp i've ever heard – very very close to the mc solid state amp i'm familiar with (mc402 and 501s) but with that additional ‘magical midrange’ tubes seem to provide.

More later when I can do some critical listening.

Thanks for everyone who gave advice while made the move to separates.

Chris
Click to expand...

:worthless

Congrats :tresbon:

howie
 
ruffoc said:
Finally made the move to separates. C2300 and MC2102. Just arrived today. Back is sore – had to move them to the 3rd floor, but got heroic help from my wife.

How does it sound? Fantastic. Love my MA2275, but the separates just have more of everything. Nice to have the connivance of a modern Mc Pre. The unit is quietest preamp I’ve ever used. There is a real continuity in the way these units sound together. From top to bottom everything seems very even.

Still exploring the features of the c2300. MC Phono section is very very good and exceptionally quiet. Having the adjustable loading is a real treat. Headphone amp is great too, I doubt a recording engineer could ask for more. As a bonus the meters work when you are in headphone mode! The pre, well it is a Mc pre!

Only downside so far is that the meters don’t match between the c2300 and mc2102.

Having spent time with all of the modern Mc tube amps (MA2275, mc275, mc2102) the mc2102 seems to be the most even handed throughout. the MA2275 stands up well against its big brothers, but has less power, force and dynamic punch with the lower frequencies. The mc275 may be a bit more fun and energetic, but the mc2102 is probably the more neutral tue amp i've ever heard – very very close to the mc solid state amp i'm familiar with (mc402 and 501s) but with that additional ‘magical midrange’ tubes seem to provide.

More later when I can do some critical listening.

Thanks for everyone who gave advice while made the move to separates.

Chris
Click to expand...

Great move, wait til you monoblock those MC2102's. Now that is awesome!!
 
thanks everyone, i was indeed up late. Mc equipment in my experience seems to break in very quickly -- i think the biggest wait is for the tubes to burn in. Will give it a few days and report back. Sounds fabulous now!!
 
Chris, what areas of engineering design and technical aspects of the new separates do you believe causes an improved sound quality over the MA2275 using your same speakers? The specifications of the MC2102 and MA2275 appear to be about the same with the exception of 25 more watts in the MC2102.
 
william.keith said:
Chris, what areas of engineering design and technical aspects of the new separates do you believe causes an improved sound quality over the MA2275 using your same speakers?
Click to expand...

Not an engineer so I couldn’t say for certain, but I suspect it has to do with the larger power rating – much larger transformers in the mc2102 than in the MA2275. I suspect the, mc2102 can deliver a whole lot extra current the Ma2275 can’t. The amp circuit / tube complement in the mc2102 is different than the MA2275. The mc2102 has 8 KT88s for power and 2 12AX7 +2 12AT7s per channel. I also think the voltage is lower on the mc2102 – 450? Vs 490 on the mc275/ma2275. All I can tell you is what I hear and perceive to be true. Of all the modern mc tube amps I’ve heard (heard them all except for the mc2000) the c2102 comes the closest to sounding like the mc solid state amps, but with that magical midrange only tubes seem to be able to deliver.
 
I must admit that to me the MC2102 is the best looking McIntosh amp. It just makes me think of what a classic but modern Mc amp should look like. It may be hard to ever improve much on either the appearance or sound performance of a MC2102 and C2300 combination. (It is disappointing the meters do not match since system intergration has always been a hallmark of McIntosh.) :thmbsp:
 
more on the phono stage... the unit is very quiet. As quite as my Trichord dino +. Not an easy thing to do with a tube phono stage. Sound is on the lively side -- very dynamic. Still playing with cartridge loading, but the sound strikes me as very neural and even throughout the frequency range. Bass is exceptional for a tubed unit. Soundstage is a bit narrower than with the Dino but the c2300 has a deeper and more focused sound field – as sign of good phase integrity I think. If you are looking for a euphonic old school tubey sound for your phono stage, forget it the c2300 is not that. It has that magic in the mids but if your record is bright or edgy the c2300 won’t fix it. Great records sound great. I also notice less surface noise, ticks and pops with the c2300 than with my dino.

One issue I’m having is with my phono cable picking up a small bit of hum – not the c2300’s fault. Cable is the van den hull that came with my sme 309. If I can’t fix with by moving the cable I may have to look at alternatives. The back of ones equipment rack must be a sea of EMF
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom