Mcintosh C47 with MC275 V

[Gianluca68]

Hi!
I have the opportunity to buy a preamp C47.
Do you think could it be a nice setup with my 275 V?
Thks !

 

[TSmith8605]

Yep. But what preamp do you have now? What preamp features do you need for your use?

 

[Gianluca68]

Actually I use alternatively a MA6100 only the preamp section and sometimes a Mitsubishi M-P04.
I know they are not the perfect match for my 275…. The C47 could be a nice option for his Dac and his price. My listening is about 80% digital.

 

[TSmith8605]

Actually I use alternatively a MA6100 only the preamp section and sometimes a Mitsubishi M-P04.
I know they are not the perfect match for my 275…. The C47 could be a nice option for his Dac and his price. My listening is about 80% digital.

C47 has an issue with the USB input to the DAC - it sometimes cuts off the first 1-second of the beginnings of tracks. Official word is that won't be fixed but is fixed on newer versions. I use the Coax digital input and that works fine (no cutoff) with PCM up to 192/24. The optical input also does not have the cutoff problem and I've run that at 192/24 rates as well. If I need higher rates or DSD (which has not be the case for me so far) I need to use the USB input and put up with the issue.

Also, the C47 does not have a tape loop / monitor feature.

So if use of USB and higher rates (above 192/24) is important to you, you might want to look for something newer (with a DAC2 module) or get a outboard DAC. Otherwise, C47 is a great sounding preamp. I've not heard a MA6100 or a P04, so cannot comment on sound differences but would guess the C47 would sound much better.

 

[Gianluca68]

I use Volumio with Usb exit. I have a lot of DSD files and I didn’t know about this problem with the C47 Dac. The unity I am considering is year 2018.
My 6100 and Mitsubishi used like preamp are the only option I have to make 275 plays. So no doubt that with the C47 it will be another world.
So apart this issue with the usb I would like to know the match with the 275 because it seems that all the preamps associated to the 275 are tubes…2300 and so on…

C47 has an issue with the USB input to the DAC - it sometimes cuts off the first 1-second of the beginnings of tracks. Official word is that won't be fixed but is fixed on newer versions. I use the Coax digital input and that works fine (no cutoff) with PCM up to 192/24. The optical input also does not have the cutoff problem and I've run that at 192/24 rates as well. If I need higher rates or DSD (which has not be the case for me so far) I need to use the USB input and put up with the issue.

Also, the C47 does not have a tape loop / monitor feature.

So if use of USB and higher rates (above 192/24) is important to you, you might want to look for something newer (with a DAC2 module) or get a outboard DAC. Otherwise, C47 is a great sounding preamp. I've not heard a MA6100 or a P04, so cannot comment on sound differences but would guess the C47 would sound much better.

 

[TSmith8605]

I use Volumio with Usb exit. I have a lot of DSD files and I didn’t know about this problem with the C47 Dac. The unity I am considering is year 2018.
My 6100 and Mitsubishi used like preamp are the only option I have to make 275 plays. So no doubt that with the C47 it will be another world.
So apart this issue with the usb I would like to know the match with the 275 because it seems that all the preamps associated to the 275 are tubes…2300 and so on…

I've used my C47 with my MC275 IV (same as V except for input panel details) and they sound great together. Completely compatible. I recommend getting a set of differential interconnects from Blue Jeans Cable to take advantage of the balanced connections supported by the C47 and MC275 V.

If you prefer "tube sound" (a matter of personal preference) then you might want to look at the C2200 or C2300. I've not heard these either so cannot comment on the sound. But there is no issue with electrical or sound compatibility with any McIntosh preamp and the MC275 V.

 

[twiiii]

C-2200 has more of a tube sound in the phono section but it will only accept MM cartridges, while a 2300 will accept both MC or MM. Personnally I prefer the manual controls of the C2200. As Frank Gow was a friend if I were looking a C-2200 I would want his commemorative model with his name on the face plate. But I prefer Graphic tone controls so I will stick with my C-34 as a C-40 won't fit. Neither will a C-2200.