I read the long back and forths re the knockoff MC 275 with interest since the I had a pair of 275 iv’s a few years ago. My question was really oriented toward Mr Hynes troubles with his new unit which sounds like it was broken when he got it. Was the sound from your unmodified preamp with the fake WIMA films unsatisfactory from the get-go or acceptable with room for improvement? Golly that sounds like a comment on a school paper doesn’t it ? A comment I got too often. Hard to quantify but how much did the replacement parts improve the sound?
Orsefon C22 (McIntosh C-22 circuit copy)
- Thread starter CohibaJoe
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I tested the unmodified C22 (2hrs) and the Pre-Amp sounded good. I was not going to take any chances with Fake Parts (Flims and so so Caps), so I put together a parts list from items I used on the dozens of recaps that I have posted here. 5 items that evaluated the sound, Amtrans AMCO, Mundorf M-Lytic AG, Burson V6 OPAMP's and NOS tubes. The Alps Blue Velvet volume control DID make a difference as I switched back and forth between the stock and BV. The knockoff is dead silent and very juicy sound. For the price paid with the upgraded parts, I have no buyer's remorse.
Here is my knockoff thread MC275.
https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/mcintosh-mc275-mk-vi-clone.989756/
I thought it was a mistake just ordered one for myself about ten minutes ago at that price. I had been on-off looking for a Chi-Fi tube pre-amp that had balanced inputs and outputs, tone controls, and possibly a phono input. That Orsefon fit the bill but seemed a bit steep at its original price point. I remembered I had some back and forth with you after buying the knock-off MC275. The MC275 has been a great little unit. About the only negative note on that one is the filter caps are "Rucycan" branded.
I'm curious what the MC275 and C22 two would sound like together with my Gustard R26 DAC.Attachments
I'm glad you got one! I got it for $656 w/o shipping and it went to $1,181 this morning. 99 available when I bought it. It's at 97 now. Looks like someone else jumped on it as well.
Sorry for the confusing post of mine above. To clarify: I did not get a C22 as I only stream therefore have no use for it. Also the C22 price didn't go up $200, it doubled overnight.
What I did get was a MC275 for $1187 (no tubes - - but price includes shipping) that was advertised as the "last one" wired for 230V. Changing these to 115V is a simple matter of moving some jumpers inside the unit. As it turned out, they sent me a 115V version anyway. For whatever reason, the 115V versions were offered at $200 more which is why I got the 230v version...
What I did get was a MC275 for $1187 (no tubes - - but price includes shipping) that was advertised as the "last one" wired for 230V. Changing these to 115V is a simple matter of moving some jumpers inside the unit. As it turned out, they sent me a 115V version anyway. For whatever reason, the 115V versions were offered at $200 more which is why I got the 230v version...
Just ordered another one for $1,300. It says it's the "new" 2023 version. The only thing I notice different is are green Vishay caps instead of the red Wima ones. I'm a total hack compared to you and CohibaJoe, but I'll try a few upgrades. I'm gonna do the Burson op-amps, better electrolytic caps, and possibly swap the volume pot for a stepped attenuator. I still need to replace the "Rucycan" filter caps in my MC275.
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Mine showed up yesterday. I'm surprised at how heavy all the metalwork is. Vishay film caps instead of fake Wimas. No balance pot on this one. It's a tone bypass control now. Tone bypass knob controls the relay on the board below. My tone board has two op-amps. All channels are relatively quit. I can get a faint bit of filament hum on all channels if I max the volume knob out. I'll eventually put in better op-amps and possibly electrolytics. I'm satisfied with what I got!
Larger Changxin caps replaced with ones from Wurth. I spotted one Chemi-con and left in alone. Tubes replaced with Mullard reissues (left MC channel alone). Nine pin tubes in my Orsefon MC275 replaced with Mullard as well. Very pleased with this equipment. Burson V6 Vivids are on their way. Amtrans stopped producing the film caps mentioned earlier in the thread. Any suggestions appreciated. Anything more I do to this system at this point is probably cork-sniffing.
@ellum68, Not really sure (I rolled in Genalex Gold Lion 88s in my McIntosh MC275 MKVI; but left the tubes alone in my McIntosh C22 MKIV), but I think you have to unbox—or at least remove the rubber band—to get the best out of those Mullards. YMMV. Congratulations! Party on! Could be I’m just cork sniffing.
I appreciate your reply on this! If you can't tell, I've been mirroring a big chunk of what you've done. I've wound up with some outstanding sounding gear.
Just ordered another one for $1,300. It says it's the "new" 2023 version. The only thing I notice different is are green Vishay caps instead of the red Wima ones. I'm a total hack compared to you and CohibaJoe, but I'll try a few upgrades. I'm gonna do the Burson op-amps, better electrolytic caps, and possibly swap the volume pot for a stepped attenuator. I still need to replace the "Rucycan" filter caps in my MC275.
those caps are all metalized film. If you are going to the trouble of changing them out, go to film and foil. quite a few options for film and foil.
Pio1980
AK Member
One respected member with tech background (@battradio) believes metallized film caps preferable, due to being less "reactive", from electrostatic foil movement within the wrap.
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