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C34v vs C22 MK2

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VintageInLA

New Member
I’m in the market for a preamp to pair with my MC2505. I mostly play vinyl, so having a preamp with an outstanding phono stage is key. I’ve narrowed my choices to the C34v or the C22 MK2. What are your experiences with both units? The C22 reproduction is much more $$, and I’m trying to determine if it’s head and shoulders better than the C34 to justify the cost. I’ll be running it with JBL 4312a or ADS L810 speakers.
 
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If you play vinyl, get a C33. It is almost identical to the C34V but has two independent phono inputs. The circuitry is the same. On the C34V they removed half the components from the phono board and converted it to another AUX.
 
Some audiophiles don't care for the (now-obsolete) input labeling on the C34V and the fact it's designated an "AV Control Center" on the front panel rather than a "Preamplifier". Given the choice, I'd prefer the C33 myself but they should perform identically. Either has the flexible 5 band EQ which the C22 does not, nor do I think a C22 has any inherent performance advantage.
 
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The 4312A were the first flat and honest control monitors from JBL, but they are not warm nor are they particularly good at imaging (the 4410A were the first with a focus on design for imaging). I would say that pairing these with the MC2505 should be perfect.

Regarding the preamp, I agree with the C33 as a great suggestion, but the C34V can probably be found for a much better price if budget is part of the decision matrix (also worth less and harder to sell WHEN you decide to update/upgrade though).
 
Thanks all. I’ve found more inventory of the C34 compared to the C33. There’s an opportunity for me to get a C33 at a similar price.

Yet, from what I understand, the newer C22 mkii was specifically built for vinyl, and is tube based. That’s why I’m wondering if the phono stage is better than the C33. Anyone have the opportunity to test out the C22 reproduction?
 
And I’ll add tubes are like religion and vinyl, you will like what you like so don’t read too many opinions.

Do you prefer the sound that tubes add or just wanting to try them out?
 
I have owned a C34v for about 30 years - alternating into a MC2500 and a mc275 . Both the c34v and MC2500 were extensively serviced in August. I don't have a c22 but I did recently acquire a C2300 (promptly rolled in Gold Lion reissues). From forum discussions, many seem to feel the c22 and C2300 are similar sonically (YMMV).

I haven't done an a/b test, but I'd be happy with either preamp - they are both great and I think more similar than different sonically.

Now I do like the look and the idea of tubes, but that's a different discussion.
 
First off a C-34 is much more flexible if you like to dub and record what you listen to. The older C-22 has tone controls for each channel which doesn't happen any more. But the C-34 has those lovely graphic tones and that record selector switch rather than just a tape monitor switch. It also has 20 watt amps built in so it will drive any pair of modern inefficient head phones you can think of. The C-34 uses electronic switching for a lot of its controls where older C-22's need to have all the switches and other controls cleaned periodically. Now I will admit the newer C-22's have MC inputs and better tone controls that the CE and original C-22 did not have. Plus the tube C-22-s have much noisier phono stages than the SS C-34. When mine came back from repairs my C-34 measured 90 db signal to noise for the phono input. C-22 can't even come close no matter which modern or older C-22 you choose. But then if you only listen at normal levels you might never hear the difference. I always felt there was a little edge to the sound of my C-22. If you want a real smooth sound try a fully restored C-28. It was the last of the SS pre-amps with discrete transistors. No IC's in that baby. I still have recordings I made using a C-28 and you can really hear the difference. But its a mechanical night mare to maintain if not fully restored. I had my C-22 for almost 6 years. I have had my C-34 for 15 years. That should say something. I did have a C-29 for close to 33 years. It ws a great piece. But Like a 28 you had to clean controls, but you didn't have the pesky controls the 28 had or the mis-tracking controls the early 22 and 28's had. We didn't have meters back when so I bought a MI -3 to monitor the outputs of the C-22 and 28 in mono to make sure the balance control was set for that particular volume control setting before switching to stereo or stereo revrse. There are so many recordings out there with the channels reversed is another reason I keep my C-34. Plus it has a variable loudness controls many other pre-amps don't have. Older C-22 will only drive older amps with high input impedances. which means you need very good connecting cables between the pre-amp and amp. Newer C-22's which are hybrids with some SS circuitry will drive any amplifier made as will the C-34 and you don't need the very best cables to hook the pre-amp to the amps.
 
twiiii said:
First off a C-34 is much more flexible if you like to dub and record what you listen to. The older C-22 has tone controls for each channel which doesn't happen any more. But the C-34 has those lovely graphic tones and that record selector switch rather than just a tape monitor switch. It also has 20 watt amps built in so it will drive any pair of modern inefficient head phones you can think of. The C-34 uses electronic switching for a lot of its controls where older C-22's need to have all the switches and other controls cleaned periodically. Now I will admit the newer C-22's have MC inputs and better tone controls that the CE and original C-22 did not have. Plus the tube C-22-s have much noisier phono stages than the SS C-34. When mine came back from repairs my C-34 measured 90 db signal to noise for the phono input. C-22 can't even come close no matter which modern or older C-22 you choose. But then if you only listen at normal levels you might never hear the difference. I always felt there was a little edge to the sound of my C-22. If you want a real smooth sound try a fully restored C-28. It was the last of the SS pre-amps with discrete transistors. No IC's in that baby. I still have recordings I made using a C-28 and you can really hear the difference. But its a mechanical night mare to maintain if not fully restored. I had my C-22 for almost 6 years. I have had my C-34 for 15 years. That should say something. I did have a C-29 for close to 33 years. It ws a great piece. But Like a 28 you had to clean controls, but you didn't have the pesky controls the 28 had or the mis-tracking controls the early 22 and 28's had. We didn't have meters back when so I bought a MI -3 to monitor the outputs of the C-22 and 28 in mono to make sure the balance control was set for that particular volume control setting before switching to stereo or stereo revrse. There are so many recordings out there with the channels reversed is another reason I keep my C-34. Plus it has a variable loudness controls many other pre-amps don't have. Older C-22 will only drive older amps with high input impedances. which means you need very good connecting cables between the pre-amp and amp. Newer C-22's which are hybrids with some SS circuitry will drive any amplifier made as will the C-34 and you don't need the very best cables to hook the pre-amp to the amps.
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Greatly appreciate this detailed breakdown. What’s been your experience with the phono stage on the C34? I’m currently using my MAC1900 as a preamp, and I want to seriously step up the phono stage. I already upgraded my cartridge.
 
First, the phono section of the C34V (and C33) is really well designed. The electronics including the FET switches are housed inside a shielded metal box which is why the noise level is so low. The phono section consists of one NE5534 per channel which is pretty much the same for all the SS Mac preamps I have seen of that era.
 
I preferred the sound of my C-29 phono stage which was a little more revealing. But as I went back to moving coil cartridges when I got the C-34 I used HO versions first and then when the MP 100 came along I was able to go with the low out put versions. The C-34 is just a touch warm compared to the MP 100 but if you set the 150 HZ control down to about 11:00 to 11:30 on the dial and boost the 1500 HZ control to 12:30 then you will have that more open sound I prefer. Another thing I didn't like about my C-22. C-28 and C-29 were the tone control steps were to large. I much prefer the 1 db steps of my MX 151 and the variable controls of my C-34 and MQ 112. Why do I have a MQ 112. Its in the record processor loop as a program EQ to touch up recordings with obvious negative qualities. Then the CD dubs I make will be satisfactory to me.
 
I’ve had older McIntosh preamps (C28, C32, C504) and now C22 MKIV. I haven’t had the 33 or 34V. And I don’t know what, exactly, changed from the C22 MKII to the C22 MKIII to the C22MKIV. But I much prefer the MC and MM phono-stages in my C22.

I’d call Audio Classics and discuss the differences between these preamps with them. (Better yet, go there and audition them all. AC will probably have every version in stock, along with JBLs.) If nothing else, they’ll be intimately familiar with the models you’re considering, and how each will perform with the MC2505 and JBLs.
 
Bushikan said:
I’ve had older McIntosh preamps (C28, C32, C504) and now C22 MKIV. I haven’t had the 33 or 34V. And I don’t know what, exactly, changed from the C22 MKII to the C22 MKIII to the C22MKIV. But I much prefer the MC and MM phono-stages in my C22.

I’d call Audio Classics and discuss the differences between these preamps with them. (Better yet, go there and audition them all. AC will probably have every version in stock, along with JBLs.) If nothing else, they’ll be intimately familiar with the models you’re considering, and how each will perform with the MC2505 and JBLs.
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Very helpful. I actually have been in touch with AC.
 
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