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Mcintosh C29 or Marantz 7T which is better?

A

aerodynamik

New Member
Ok, so here is the question....I currently own and use a Mcintosh C-29 in my system, overall I must say I'm satisfied. However I can't stop lusting over owning a 7T. They don't sell for cheap any more and if I bought one it would have to be in 9/10 condition which won't be cheap. My question is: Has anybody here owned both a C-29 and a 7T? What are your thoughts on a 7T vs a C-29, is it just the damn look I'm lusting over or what? Is there anything sound wise the 7T does better than a Mcintosh C-29. Enlighten me with your knowledge before I take the plunge, make an unnecessary purchase and get an earful of "What the @$%&#$** were you thinking!!") nagging from the wife...Which would you choose, the Mac or the Marantz?? Thanks in advance.
 
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Neither unless serviced recently. Both have capacitors which were badly in need of replacement when these units turned 20 years old. I like both preamps really well. The McIntosh is newer but love both preamps. I can live with either and be happy once restored.
 
The 7T is kind of primitive. It is a first generation SS preamp . The C-29 has to be 15 years newer. SS design evolved a lot over that period.
 
I think you'd be happy with the 7t (I do own one). Better than the 29? Only your ears can decide.

Lustworthy? I'd vote for the 7t dressed up in a wood cabinet.

No trying to tempt you.....:D

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Thanks Onemug, It looks like I may have to let my eyes decide instead of my ears... My eyes are telling me YESSS!!! Do it!!!I already own a Marantz 120B tuner that will go nicely with it, then again my current set up is a MR-67 tuner, C-29 pre and MC-2300 Big Mac, so I don't know what it is I'm trying to achieve here. Decisions.. decisions....Great looking 7T BTW..
 
aerodynamik said:
Thanks Onemug, It looks like I may have to let my eyes decide instead of my ears... My eyes are telling me YESSS!!! Do it!!!I already own a Marantz 120B tuner that will go nicely with it, then again my current set up is a MR-67 tuner, C-29 pre and MC-2300 Big Mac, so I don't know what it is I'm trying to achieve here. Decisions.. decisions....Great looking 7T BTW..
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"so I don't know what it is I'm trying to achieve here. Decisions.. decisions."

Maybe something like this? (still not trying to tempt you :D)

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aerodynamik said:
Thanks Onemug, It looks like I may have to let my eyes decide instead of my ears... My eyes are telling me YESSS!!! Do it!!!I already own a Marantz 120B tuner that will go nicely with it, then again my current set up is a MR-67 tuner, C-29 pre and MC-2300 Big Mac, so I don't know what it is I'm trying to achieve here. Decisions.. decisions....Great looking 7T BTW..
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Oh no..... You didn't just say you already own a 120b tuner, did you? And you're probably wondering what they will look like together. Well, I just happen to have.......oh, you know what's gonna happen.

I promise, no more after this. (wellllllllll, maybe just one more, possibly two) must.....stop.....tempting..... :D :D

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if you plug a marantz pre into a mac power amp, dont they both explode? :D

i would give a listen in house and see what comes out of it.
 
aerodynamik said:
Oh Onemug!! That's just plain wrong!!! You got a 7C too!!! You obviously don't need the 7T if that's the case!!Lol..
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Good eye, tried to slip the "C" past you. They look almost identical.

But I do need the "T". I can turn it on whenever and for short or long times. I'd rather not do that to the C. It gets used on the weekends when I can appreciate what it does.

btw, your 67/29/2300 combo is very nice. I can see where this would be a tough decision. Any chance of owning two systems?
 
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