A foray into tubes McIntosh style might surprise you. Any way your dealer would let you bring home a C2500 for a spin?
No the dealer doesn't have a demo unit. He's trying to push it on me because its been in the store since July last year, they only ever got one in.
So he wants to move it.
You may recall that I'm also interested in acquiring a C48. If it were not for the lack of remote I would definitely have a C40, however I seriously wonder if you'll hear any sonic improvement with the C48. I even wonder if I'll hear any improvement over my C712; its That good.
But maybe you're only looking to get an additional pre rather than expecting an improvement.
Yes I do recall you were interested, I feel there may be a marginal improvement, but not a night an day difference, the C40 is right up there sonically.
Its the features I'm after, and to modernize. The Phono performance however could be a step up....
Being able to trim the inputs, and to have less clutter, and to have a comprehensive remote are all things I am after.....
Once you have lived with graphic tone controls you can't go back to the restricting bass and treble. The new pre-amps with the remote balance and input level matching are nice benefit not to be discounted. Especially as the new amps don't have level controls. Though I don't dub as much as I used to, I would miss having the Mode selector and record selector in the new preamps. The newer units have fewer knobs and I miss being able to do all I want with my fingers as well as with the remote.
With the latest cartridges from Dynavector and modern turntables vinyl is not the same experience from the past. Its totally new! So don't discount analog in the form of vinyl. I have found a record store near a university that sells LPs, though pre-owned, in great condition at very reasonable prices. Downloading analog off the internet is always a challenge. If I set up the graphic EQ on my computer to balance Telarc down loads, then downloading Command LPS when compared to Vinyl do not match. If I down load Mercury recordings I have to use other settings. Some one is tinkering or remastering analog recordings to their own tastes before we get to download. No wonder so many people are finding they want to hear vinyl at home with out artistic manipulation.
All these are things I have considered in selecting this pre-amp, I was considering the C50, but I think its overpriced to be honest, what am I getting above the C48? more EQ filters and some VU meters?
Yeah, not really worth it if you ask me, the C48 is almost as well appointed and it has a more traditional look which I prefer over the C50.
Yes the lack of tone options on the C2500 is something I am not keen on.
I very rarely use tone controls, but when I do, I appreciate having the flexibility...
Very similar thoughts. I really want a C48 for my "vinyl system" as it would allow me to get rid of two different phono stages and a DAC and more then likely be a big upgrade for those components. But compared to my C41 currently in that system, I'm not really sure how much sonic improvement I'd be getting vs. simply "features".
I think the phono section in the C48 could quite possibly open up more options than you currently have, the essential "sound" of the pre-amp may be a little better, but as I have mentioned above, its more about modernizing and the features that I am after.....
C48 has a pretty awesome phono section. You will be pleasantly surprised and can dial in any cartridge for best response. 'Features' like the adjustable loading in the two C48phono sections lead to better performance with each and every cartridge.
Thanks,
Ron-C
I am looking forward to that!! More phono options.....:thmbsp:
