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Thoughts on Mcintosh C31V?

CruzBay said:
It's a good preamp, the first Mcintosh offering into the remote control world for them as preamps go. (yah, the CR series...)

Sounded good, some folks complained about everything (the 'thermometer' volume control, the resolution of the steps, you name it) nobody carped about how it sounded.

FWIW, not to rain on you, but the C-34V outsold it about 8 to 1. The C-35 came out near the end of my tenure with improvements on all the 'shortcomings' the '31 had. I recall the '35 had a motorized attenuator IIRC.
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CruzBay -- thanks...Yes I understand that the C-34V outsold it (and sold over a much longer time frame). Obviously the C34V also had the built in amp (i'm not sure that makes it a better pre). But the C34V just looks more like it's predecessors -- it had the look (which i like better). The C31V on the other hand looks like a departure -- and I imagine it only hung around for a couple years for a reason. To your point it seems like the reasons were aesthetic, the volume control, etc. I think those issues persist -- but that's really the play here for me. Initially, at least, I don't mind those things. Like you said I haven't read about any one taking issue with the sound of the C31V and its stats are comparable to the C34V. If, like back in the 80's, you still prefer the C34V you have to pay up for it now. So at half the price these days the C31V just seemed like a great value -- if you can get past those issues. We'll see how I feel about it in a month or so...
 
quartersaw said:
I have one, and it is very nearly the same as a C-35, which I also own. (The C-35 remote works with it too!) (My 31v's remote was missing @ purchase)
Obvious differences are the lack of balanced outputs, and the volume control (on mine, anyway) is a bit noisy when actuated.
No numerical digital display of the volume, like the C-35. I got mine for a little over $500, and I am thrilled with its performance!
It works quite well with my Mc2300's, and my Mc2100's, but the volume control is ramped up fairly high when I use the preamp with the 2100's
Since it is from the mid/late '80's, some servicing is likely needed. I inspected the innards of mine, and there are too many small caps that potentially need to be replaced. I'll leave that to the experts, budget permitting. For now, I am just going to enjoy it.
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Quartersaw -- Thanks. I'm glad to hear you are thrilled with the performance. I hope I'll feel the same. I think I like the thermometer look over the digital display of the C35 looks wise although I could see the benefit of associating a number with your typical listening level.
 
My first choice of the C31/35/37 series would be the C37 because it has rotary volume control; C31/35 are pushbutton which I never cared for.

I had previously assumed the half glass-half metal fascias of these models had been due to Clarion's influence but this turned out not to be the case as the C31 debuted long before the Clarion takeover: McIntosh came up with this panel design all on its own. Ironically it was Clarion who insisted on all glass faceplates.

It's a shame they never did a remote preamplifier in the C30/32/33/34 style.
 
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62caddy said:
My first choice of the C31/35/37 series would be the C37 because it has rotary volume control; C31/35 are pushbutton which I never cared for.

I had previously assumed the half glass-half metal fascias of these models had been due to Clarion's influence but this turned out not to be the case as the C31 debuted long before the Clarion takeover: McIntosh came up with this panel design all on its own. Ironically it was Clarion who insisted on all glass faceplates.

It's a shame they never did a remote preamplifier in the C30/32/33/34 style.
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I think the C30 looks like the best of the bunch to me stats wise and looks wise -- no monitor amp like the 32, 33, 34V. That's really what I was looking for remote or not.

I'm not wild about the half glass front of the C31V either...it is, at least, consistent with the MC7270 which has the same.

I agree, the C37 does look like a step in the right direction with the rotary volume.
 
62caddy said:
I had previously assumed the half glass-half metal fascias of these models had been due to Clarion's influence but this turned out not to be the case as the C31 debuted long before the Clarion takeover: McIntosh came up with this panel design all on its own. Ironically it was Clarion who insisted on all glass faceplates.
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Ron (or Chris) could probably expand on this, but I was told that with the increasing number of perforations, Mc was having breakage issues. They added the metal bottom where they'd put the controls, the top was for meters in the '7270. Preamps I'd have to look to remember. Derail- Clarion did bring back the tube stuff, but we'd closed our doors before any came about.
 
Well there's nothing half full about its performance, half full glass notwithstanding.

BTW - In each of my systems I have an CR7 remote preamplifier which, in essence, is a very basic C31/C35.

For those who never use tone controls or need more than a couple inputs, a CR7 might be all they'd ever need.
 
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CruzBay said:
Ron (or Chris) could probably expand on this, but I was told that with the increasing number of perforations, Mc was having breakage issues. They added the metal bottom where they'd put the controls, the top was for meters in the '7270. Preamps I'd have to look to remember. Derail- Clarion did bring back the tube stuff, but we'd closed our doors before any came about.
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Outlined fully in the McIntosh book. Clarion doesn't get the credit they deserve for McIntosh.
 
damacman said:
Outlined fully in the McIntosh book. Clarion doesn't get the credit they deserve for McIntosh.
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That's right, they brought in the Glass Water cutter they use now (I think its a water cutter from memory)......They pushed for it because they wanted the traditional look with the full glass front panels....
 
Yeah that's the reason I remember for Clarion bringing in the water cutter. Prior to the half glass faceplates, McIntosh were struggling to keep up with orders due to the high percentage of full glass faceplates breaking during drilling of all the holes. Clarion ponied up the funds to solve the problem and bring back the classic appearance.
 
MORTIS said:
Yeah that's the reason I remember for Clarion bringing in the water cutter. Prior to the half glass faceplates, McIntosh were struggling to keep up with orders due to the high percentage of full glass faceplates breaking during drilling of all the holes. Clarion ponied up the funds to solve the problem and bring back the classic appearance.
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Thats exactly right, so we have a lot to thank Clarion for really....
 
Thanks for all the replies -- interesting to hear a little history on the glass face plates, generally. Good stuff.

OK so I'm still curious about this output rating question.
Do any of you have any idea why the C31V was designed with and output rated @ 1.5V when most other (actually, all other) Mac pre's seem to be 2.5V?
I saw it first on the Roger Russell site...then confirmed it in the owner's manual -- seems odd to me. Thoughts?

Meanwhile the MC 7270 Owner's Manual says this...which makes it more curious to me...
INPUT LEVEL
The input sensitivity of the MC 7270 is 0.75 volts or
2.5V depending on the position of the INPUT LEVEL
switch. For the best signal to noise ratio when using Mclntosh
source equipment, place the INPUT LEVEL switch in
the 2.5V position and the front panel LEFT and
RIGHT/MONO GAIN controls in the fully clockwise position.
If more gain is desired the 0.75V position may be
used. All Mclntosh preamplifiers have been designed to
deliver 2.5 volts output with rated input. For source
equipment other than Mclntosh, set the switch in the
position nearest to the stated output rating of the source
equipment.

Hmmm...So I guess that statement about all McIntosh preamplifiers is not entirely correct...
I guess the C31V may be the exception that proves the rule.
I wonder why this one is different???

I guess I'll need to experiment with the input sensitivity switch on the MC7270 to see which works best...

Thanks again...
 
I typically use the higher sensitivity setting because I'm a volume junkie at times. The 2.5V setting will provide an increase in system S/N ratio but the usable range of the volume control is diminished.

For example, I use the 1.4V setting on my MC2600s with the gains at MAX. Even still, things don't get really loud until mid 80s volume settings on my C200. All balanced (CDP > C200 > Amps). The same thing could likely be achieved with the switches set to 2.5V and volume increased to the mid 90s.

Choose whichever method suits your taste.
 
Indeed. OP - keep in mind that the OM specifies 8V maximin output capability on the C31V. As music is dynamic in nature, it would require test tones recorded at 0dB to achieve that.
 
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