Quick Poll - C28 vs. C32

[Don Bocadill]

Hi All,

Putting my first Mcintosh separates system together and have recently acquired an MC2105 and am looking at a rebuilt / upgraded C28 or a what appears to be in good condition C32. Which would you recommend?

Many thanks!!

 

[kevzep]

I would rather have a C32, more inputs, SN ratio is better, lower distortion, excellent 5 band equalizer, and the expander.....its a pretty formidable pre-amp....But I would only want to have one which has been restored and upgraded....

The C28 in this case might be the better option depending on what has been done to it and who did the work on it.....

 

[Don Bocadill]

Thanks Kevzep! Don't suppost you have any idea what it would cost to restore and upgrade a c32? thanks!!

 

[kevzep]

Thanks Kevzep! Don't suppost you have any idea what it would cost to restore and upgrade a c32? thanks!!

My one went to Terry Dewick before I bought it, I have receipts, but they might be a bit out of date because it was 3 or 4 years ago....
But you can contact Terry and get a price, he's got it down with the upgrades etc....you can choose what you want to do, like if you dont use the phono input maybe you wouldnt upgrade that for example.....

The other good thing about the C32, is that upgraded it performs well enough for you to upgrade your amplifier later on as I have just done with my MC352 from a MC2205.....

EDIT: Terry has his link in the banners when you scroll down DeWick Repairs I think he calls himself....

 

[c_dk]

Either unit will take about 6 hours of tech time to restore. Units have different needs and labor details but the time is about the same. Parts cost is not the big expense.

 

[c_dk]

Either unit will take about 6 hours of tech time to restore. Units have different needs and labor details but the time is about the same. Parts cost is not the big expense.

 

[MX117.MC7150]

Think the biggest technological change (advance?) McIntosh made after going solid-state was the C28 to the C29 preamps. Big change in design and components used (discrete versus ICs, volume controls, etc.). C29 and newer are much quieter and more flexible preamps and likely fewer problems in the long-term.

 

[c_dk]

There are a lot more C28s out there than C29s or C32s.

Restoring a C28 is involved as ground drain issues need to be corrected, as well as redoing the power supply.

C32/29 have their own issues to be solved.

They are all over 30 years old, tis to be expected.

 

[greekgod]

The C28 is very easy to find. Yet, the C29 and later models are much less common on the used market. This makes me think that owners are much happier with the later models and are much more likely to hang onto them. Personally, I would look for a c33 which has a reputation for being more reliable and better sounding than the c32.

 

[c_dk]

I have had them all on the bench and each has it's own quirks. Let's face it a non restored C28 should sell for a lot less than a later unit, cosmetically matches the early amps, and as I posted a month or so ago can be an exceptional performer once updated.

 

[dewickt]

Two big differences, the C32 has a good volume control that tracks and does not wear out, and has electronic input switching that has no bleed through. The other features like the 5 band EQ, monitor amplifier, and variable loudness are the icing on the cake so to speak.

 

[c_dk]

I agree with all Terry said, that is why a unrestored 32/33/34 should sell for two or three times as much as a unrestored c28.

There were almost 22,000 c28s built, making them readily available and quite viable for a seven hour restoration.

 

[62caddy]

Hello Paul. You may also want to consider the C 30 which is a simpler unit than the 32/33/34 which have monitor amplifiers built in. Otherwise it's essentially the same unit as the 33/34 without compander & seperate record/listen selectors.

Glad to see you here! :wave:

 

[c_dk]

Talk about rare...the C30 was virtually unsaleable when it was rolled out. I do not think they sold 2,000 of them.

 

[62caddy]

Talk about rare...the C30 was virtually unsaleable when it was rolled out. I do not think they sold 2,000 of them.

Why was that?

 

[c_dk]

All the completion had remote control, customers demanded remote control.

 

[twiiii]

I owned both and now have a 34. If they were both 100% IE. New as I remembered them I would say the C-28 was warmer, had a volume control that was horrendous, and low level inputs were a big problem with ground issues and channels cutting in & out. The C-29 was much Quieter in the phono stages had a better volume control and was very trouble free. The C-32 was a very flexible, with the record selector, and functions selector switches, and mode selector. Loved the volume control and the tone controls. I found the unit a little noisy with efficient speakers, Korner Horns and Patricians. I had set the volume controls on 2105, 2100, 250 and 2505 in the eleven o'clock position, or about 3.3 volt sensitivity to keep thing fairly quiet. Not the problem of the amps. I live in a high dry climate with air born dirt and air pollution. So keeping controls clean and quiet is always an issue. So in that respect the C-34 is much better than previous pre-amps with its electronic switching. And the C41 and later pre-amps are even less problematic and a joy to own. If I had the space I would replace my 34 with a 40, and up grade to a MX121 too.

 

[seacliffe301]

Two big differences, the C32 has a good volume control that tracks and does not wear out, and has electronic input switching that has no bleed through. The other features like the 5 band EQ, monitor amplifier, and variable loudness are the icing on the cake so to speak.

I had both. I loved the C-28, it was a fine preamp and would make a great mate to your 2105.
However, once I started using the C-32 there was no looking back. In addition to the points made here, it also has additional inputs, expander, and separate record and listen selection.
Think of the record selection as an outbound router to select sources to tape decks, other amplifiers, a separate system in another room, etc.

Find a cosmetically nice C-32 and send it directly to Terry before it comes to you.
You’ll never regret your decision.

 

[Bubo]

I purchased a C-32 when it was one year old.

I have auditioned and owned a lot of high end stereo equipment since then.

I have never seen, and more importantly heard, any pre-amp that I thought was better in any respect than the C-32. There may be something better on spec out, but I'm not sure the difference is audible.

My career as a telecom HW product manager was nothing but identifying product needs and deficiencies for more than 20 years. With the C-32 I don't ever recall thinking that something was missing or worked incorrectly, it is a masterpiece.

As Keven noted with his new amp, the sound can be quite different depending on the amp you connect to the C-32. When my 2205 was in the shop I had one of my Yamahas connected to the C-32, noticeably different sound.

My two cents...........

 

[Don Bocadill]

Hi All, Thank you soo much for the feedback, after owning a MAC4100 i really liked the EQ and managed to pick up a C32 on the auction site in good cosmetic condition with a nice case for a very good price! I like the idea that Terry has one in his personal collection!! Once you get back from vacation Terry i'll have to get to down to you for a refurb!!

On another note the MC2105 arrived, the glass is intact but the rear cage is bent, didn't hit the sinks or boards thankfully... does anyone know where i can get a replacement cage?

Thanks guys!!