NEW - McIntosh C22 Mk V
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racecannon
Member
I believe the balance control is still available via a pushdown function on the volume control. My reading of it is that it’s exactly the same as the C70 but with the aesthetic of the C22
chuckworkb
Super Member
Nice!
monkboughtlunch
Super Member
Since this is basically a rebadged C-70 now called a C22 V, how does the C-70 compare spec-wise and sonically to the earlier discontinued C22 IV?
twiiii
Lunatic Member
Macs reduced the signal to noise rating on the phono inputs compared to the MK IV model. They measure things differently today using A weighting filtering from times in the past when everything was measured flat. So the numbers will be better of course. It makes you wonder if a C-53 or C-22 Mk V are really better than a C-37. I know my MP 100 is only a few db quieter than my C-34. But that isn't why I bought the unit . It was for the MC inputs, the flexibility in loadings, and the digital out puts to directly feed my CD recorder. Plus it has a more livelier sound signature. i.e. cleaner bass, better staging, and greater depth.
monkboughtlunch
Super Member
Is there anything objectively superior in the new C22 V vs the discontinued C22 IV (or vice versa)?
monkboughtlunch
Super Member
Do the modern day C22 preamps have a built in subsonic filter to eliminate turntable subsonic noise? I don't see any switch to indicate they do on the front panel. Is there a circuit that is always on that filters out subsonic rumble?
twiiii
Lunatic Member
Some of the Pre-amps after the C-28 had a filter that rolled off the bass starting some where around 25 hz as I remember. Mac got chastised by the reviewers and audiophiles so it was removed later on. I tell you if you owned a TD124 or 121, Rek-o-kut, or QRK table you really needed that filter. Other wise the switchable rumble filter is usually at 50 HZ. I never used the filters on my C-34, C-29, or MP 100. The MX 151 you have custom filter for each of the speakers that I do use. 25 HZ for the front, 30 got the rear and 50 for the sides. I don't use subs, but mix the LFE into the front speakers. If 14 12 inch woofers isn't enough I give up. Thats equal to 6 18 inch woofers and that ought to be enough for any one.
nj pheonix
Lunatic Member
The C22 CE I think is the last with the rumble filter
monkboughtlunch
Super Member
Even with a high quality direct drive, subsonic rumble can be a problem because the noise can be "baked" into the original record itself (as opposed to being a problem with the turntable). Just watch woofers pump back and forth or watch the subsonic noise on a scope. So having the subsonic filter (whether in circuit and always on or switchable) is valuable. MAC is putting high quality phono stages in their preamps, but if there is no way to filter out the subsonic noise, that means someone will have to use an outboard phono preamp run through a subsonic filter and feed it into an AUX input. And that defeats the point of having a Mac phono stage built in.
Just put my C22 MkV on the shelf this afternoon (thank you Ryan @ Audio Classics). Singing sweetly thru the amp section of my recently refurbished Sony TA-F6B (thank you Blue Shadow & Steve Leung) while I wait for Steve to build my new Citation 2 monoblocks. Right out of the box it sounds good.
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twiiii
Lunatic Member
No mode selector, what do you do when the channels are reversed? No loudness control. No Record selector. If they can put graphic tone controls on the latest MA 12000, why not on a tube pre-amp. Where is the tape monitor switch. I now use a CD recorder in place of my R2R machines. Processor loops like on my C-34. If you are going to play records where are the Rumble and HF filter. I liked the two HF filter choice on the Marantz 7C. If miniature tubes only lasted 2 to 3 years in the original C-22, what about now? I much preferred the original sound of the C-28 at the time. Its a shame it was such a mechanical disaster.
Amazing, all those things you need on your preamp while I only need volume and input selector. Other than the variable loading, everything else is 'fluff'.
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jayvis
Addicted Member
Yup. Some kids are mesmerized by knobs and buttons. The C22 is a great performing analog and retro look tube preamp. If you need tape controls, look elsewhere.
The cutoffs are below 20Hz and above 20,000 Hz according to the C32 manual (and others) which I recall H/F applauded in its review of the MAC4100, saying it "inhibited infrasonic and ultrasonic "garbage" from affecting the music."
In any event, frequency range is extended from 10Hz to 100,000Hz when the EQ OUT button is engaged.
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onemug
Super Member
Congrats on getting one. I have one also... great preamp. Do you plan on doing any tube rolling in the future?
RE twiiii: there's an old saying, "if you want to make a small fortune in the audio business, hire twiiii and give him a large fortune."
twiiii
Lunatic Member
Everyone needs a loudness control when playing music for guests. The stereo reverse function for sure as they are qute a few LP's with the channels reversed. I don't care how quiet your new LP's are but if you collecting older LP you need the LF filter for sure. As a lot of engineers back n the 60's and 70's used compromised monitor speakers you need to have a program EQ or graphic tone controls to get some semblance of accurate sound. Don't be fooled CD's and SACD's aren't always the most accurate either. Streamed music compromised for sure. I compare original LP's to streamed music and the streamed music is a joke 90% of the time. Same goes for streamed digital recording. They are always compromising the dynamic range and some time playing with the lowest and highest frequencies.
