I've decided to find a 'mate' for my newly acquired MC2300 power amp. 
Advice/opinions are much appreciated!
Advice/opinions are much appreciated!
What is the best 'bang for the buck' tube Mc preamp?
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damacman
Resident Psycho
I used an MX110 (z series) for nearly a decade and was REALLY happy with it. I've actually had several of them over the years. They're still somewhat "affordable" . . . Other than that, you may look around for a C11 or C20, but both seem to be commanding BIG money now-a-days.
Rich Andrews
Well-Known Member
The C22 keeps going up in value every year.
miketuason
Ferrari & McIntosh
I just saw a C2300 for $4,600 and a C2200 for $3,700 at audiogon.
capt.chaos
Super Member
Don't forget the C220.
Ouch! South of a grand is desirable, but then again, I've already learned the hard way that 'you get what you pay for' when it comes to this stuff.
The MX110.....is that the tuner model?
The MX110.....is that the tuner model?
onemug
Super Member
"Believe me now and trust me later" Hans and Franz (SNL)
For what "you" are looking for, I'd highly recommend Mac's C15 or 712 preamps. Should be a great match (sonically) to your 2300. Added bonus: remote control.
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Put some Tubes in the mix:thmbsp: C2300,C2200, C22.I've decided to find a 'mate' for my newly acquired MC2300 power amp.
MORTIS
Alien Member
+1 for that suggestion, and both seem to be very reliable pres.
radioactive
tube gear fanatic
the mx 110 is a tuner/preamp.
o0OBillO0o
Active Member
:thmbsp:
Sorry, I don't think there is a 'Bang For the Buck' Mc tube pre anymore. Maybe it was the MX110 - somewhere back in the '90s. They have almost doubled in value in two years, sometimes tripled for the right one (for good reason).
There is nothing like an original C22 with a Mc2300. It is what it is, you can't compare a clean running C22 to anything Mc vintage - not a C20, C11, or MX110. There is a reason they are expensive and desirable. I run a late model C22 with a Mc2300 everyday, 12 hours a day, 7 days a week.
I tried to talk myself out of my C22 many, many times because the MX110 Z is worth half. Everytime I go back to the Z, I go back to the C22 within the hour. I now have to sell the Z because 1) I don't think I will use it much and 2) The C22 is the best vintage pre I have ever heard (yes, the Marantz 7c is a dog compared to it, and I don't get the Marantz thing for $6k)
There is nothing like a C22, the sound, the bass, the 'darker' vintage sound with punch, so I would say you should save your bucks for the bang...it will be worth it. Value is close to $4K for the right one though, but that's the game now and I don't think it will ever go lower for a clean piece. Some people love an original C22 (like me), and others say go for the later Mc tube pre, but they are too sanitary for me.
There is nothing like an original C22 with a Mc2300. It is what it is, you can't compare a clean running C22 to anything Mc vintage - not a C20, C11, or MX110. There is a reason they are expensive and desirable. I run a late model C22 with a Mc2300 everyday, 12 hours a day, 7 days a week.
I tried to talk myself out of my C22 many, many times because the MX110 Z is worth half. Everytime I go back to the Z, I go back to the C22 within the hour. I now have to sell the Z because 1) I don't think I will use it much and 2) The C22 is the best vintage pre I have ever heard (yes, the Marantz 7c is a dog compared to it, and I don't get the Marantz thing for $6k)
There is nothing like a C22, the sound, the bass, the 'darker' vintage sound with punch, so I would say you should save your bucks for the bang...it will be worth it. Value is close to $4K for the right one though, but that's the game now and I don't think it will ever go lower for a clean piece. Some people love an original C22 (like me), and others say go for the later Mc tube pre, but they are too sanitary for me.
Pio1980
AK Member
Yes, a two-fer with primarily ceramic caps in the audio chain. It's too crowded under the deck for boutique cap replacements, polyprop metalized film caps will have to do for reno' if one wants to ditch the ceramics in the signal path.
Details here; http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=190149&highlight=mx110z
For a Mac front end one of these could be a very big all-tube bang-for-the-bux, previous poster disagrees 'cuz he likes what he likes with the C22 and is willing to pay the diff. YMMV.
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JWJW
Bun E. Carlos
i've decided to find a 'mate' for my newly acquired mc2300 power amp.
c220
It's not up for sale yet, plus after what I said about the C22 he might want to hunt a 22 down. They are out there and you don't have to worry about the chassis being pitted. In addition, I don't know if my Z is going to be the bang for the buck.
Pio1980
AK Member
I have fairly stringent sonic priorities and know that others may not share them. They nevertheless affect what I might recommend for a sonic purist, otherwise I might recommend stuff that works well that I wouldn't use. I don't use any preamp other than phono stages in my reference experimental system, preferring passive to active line/control centers, but that's not for most folk. If I was running a Mac tube amp myself I'd be going 'passive' and not using any of their or anyone elses preamps but that's me, YMMV.
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