Whats about C26?
- Thread starter linnea
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linnea
New Member
Mac Preamps
Agreed
The C27, C28, and C29 are all nice preamps. The C26 and C28 have weak Volume Controls, the C27, C29 have better stepped volume controls. Of the three I prefer the C27. The C32 is up a step from the others, but I understand the internal ribbon connectors can be a problem. but one of the beauties of a Mac is parts availability:thmbsp:
Find a nice one and enjoy!
The C22 and MX110 z series are wonderful tube preamps but they are also very pricey.
Good Luck,
Jim
Agreed
The C27, C28, and C29 are all nice preamps. The C26 and C28 have weak Volume Controls, the C27, C29 have better stepped volume controls. Of the three I prefer the C27. The C32 is up a step from the others, but I understand the internal ribbon connectors can be a problem. but one of the beauties of a Mac is parts availability:thmbsp:
Find a nice one and enjoy!
The C22 and MX110 z series are wonderful tube preamps but they are also very pricey.
Good Luck,
Jim
Brian
An Old Geezer
If you have enough cash for the C26 but not enough for the C28 provided the price is within the range of used C26s there, then why not go for it. Mc does not depreciate over the long run historically so more than likely you can recoup your money. I have a C28 and know a number of other owners and none of us have a volume control problem. The control has been a topic of concern by many but replacements are obtainable from Mc so I'd not lose sleep over them. Admittedly, they are not great trackers at the low end but with the level controls on the MC250, you can set the volume control on the preamp to have you average listening level at about the 1:00 position. Over the decades, I've always set my volume controls for about this position as most volume controls do not track closely at the lower levels.
EasyRiderNYC
Tubed
What are the symptoms of the volume control problem? How can I tell if My C28 is not tracking well? Do you (Hi Brian) adjust your trim on top of the C28? If so, at what position? I've seen this http://www.goldpt.com/c20.html and have thought of contacting the company to see if they can make a pot for the C28. Then we would all be happy!
CruzBay
Super Member
From my point of view, the C-28 and C-32 if properly reworked are good preamps, without this, I'd choose the C-26 first.
If available, I'd quickly grab a C-29 or '27 first. The C-26, while it's an good preamp, it's been electrically (and sonically, I have one) bested by the C-29 (I have one of them too). The C-27 was hard to find at the time, IDK about now. The C-34V and C-33 are the nicest IMO. Between the two, I like the styling of the C-33, although the two are not the same, they are similar enough.
Sonically, I couldn't comment on the '26 vs the '28 or '32, suffice it to say that during the time I worked for a Mcintosh dealer in the late 80's and early 90's, I sent out countless 28's and 32's for repair, very seldom did a C-26 require more than new lamps and contact cleaning or the occasional volume control replacement.
Mike
If available, I'd quickly grab a C-29 or '27 first. The C-26, while it's an good preamp, it's been electrically (and sonically, I have one) bested by the C-29 (I have one of them too). The C-27 was hard to find at the time, IDK about now. The C-34V and C-33 are the nicest IMO. Between the two, I like the styling of the C-33, although the two are not the same, they are similar enough.
Sonically, I couldn't comment on the '26 vs the '28 or '32, suffice it to say that during the time I worked for a Mcintosh dealer in the late 80's and early 90's, I sent out countless 28's and 32's for repair, very seldom did a C-26 require more than new lamps and contact cleaning or the occasional volume control replacement.
Mike
Brian
An Old Geezer
When the balance control is at midpoint electrically and all level and attenuators are wide open the sound should come equally from both sides if the volume control is tracking evenly. Few controls are within 0db of tracking, in fact none that I am aware of. An excellent control is within 1 db and most are within 3db (+/- 1.5db) at the low end. Usually by midturn or so they are tracking very closely. As a control ages and is used, there is added wear increasing the mistracking. As the control also has the power switch after some 30+ years of use there can be a lot of wear since you are continually wiping the control as you power off and then on and adjust to listening levels.
The attenuators on top can be adjusted to move the volume control average listening postion to an area where there is less mistracking, or alternatively you could use the level controls on the power amp or a combination of both. You also them can use the attenuators or level controls to compensate for the mistracking rather then the balance control. These setting will also be dependent on the efficiency of the speakers. I usually adjust the system so the volume control is at about 1:00. It is an arbitrary setting for me but I try to get the control tracking about the log portion of the scale where the mistracking is usually greater and into the linear portion. I also find the control setting, attenuators on the preamp and level controls on the power amp will affect the sound of the system so adjust them depending on the speakers, i.e. turn down the amp level controls and turn up the attenuator controls on the preamp to yield the same amp output but the impedance difference between the preamp and amp changes the sound.
The attenuators on top can be adjusted to move the volume control average listening postion to an area where there is less mistracking, or alternatively you could use the level controls on the power amp or a combination of both. You also them can use the attenuators or level controls to compensate for the mistracking rather then the balance control. These setting will also be dependent on the efficiency of the speakers. I usually adjust the system so the volume control is at about 1:00. It is an arbitrary setting for me but I try to get the control tracking about the log portion of the scale where the mistracking is usually greater and into the linear portion. I also find the control setting, attenuators on the preamp and level controls on the power amp will affect the sound of the system so adjust them depending on the speakers, i.e. turn down the amp level controls and turn up the attenuator controls on the preamp to yield the same amp output but the impedance difference between the preamp and amp changes the sound.
Gregory
Soundco Kid
The C26 was my first McIntosh piece in the '70s when I was a teen. It was previously owned and cost 200. Took it to college in the late 70s and early 80s. It has provided countless hours of enjoyment {did you say `partying´} and especially owner satisfaction.
Never noticed any problem with the volume control or tracking. Still own it where it sits in original shipping carton. Recently had it out for inspection and not a spot of rust or deterioration. I DID order two or three new controls [for it] from Mc Parts Dept. but never installed them. It doesn't need to have the controls replaced yet but they are here just-the-same.
It cannot compare to the C33 but there is nothing BAD about the C26 sound and function. The C26 LOUDNESS control works well both mechanically and sonically.. i.e. does what it should and sounds good. The MODE SELECTOR is also very useful. The C26 is an excellent example of the SS electronics era and a fine specimen. BTW.. it's a shorty at only 10" deep into the Walnut Cabinet.
-Gregory
Never noticed any problem with the volume control or tracking. Still own it where it sits in original shipping carton. Recently had it out for inspection and not a spot of rust or deterioration. I DID order two or three new controls [for it] from Mc Parts Dept. but never installed them. It doesn't need to have the controls replaced yet but they are here just-the-same.
It cannot compare to the C33 but there is nothing BAD about the C26 sound and function. The C26 LOUDNESS control works well both mechanically and sonically.. i.e. does what it should and sounds good. The MODE SELECTOR is also very useful. The C26 is an excellent example of the SS electronics era and a fine specimen. BTW.. it's a shorty at only 10" deep into the Walnut Cabinet.
-Gregory
I agree, my very first preamp was also a C26, but nostalgia aside McIntosh has come a long way and C26 is no longer a top performing preamp particularly if coupled with large and efficient speakers, you will hear considerable audible hiss from this preamp.
For a reasonably acceptable sound I would start at C29 and move up to better units, budget allowing.
Vahe
Gregory
Soundco Kid
Your point is taken but what are the requirements of Linn with MC250 in OP? When you say large and efficient speakers, do you mean Klipsch for example? Here's a photo of young Uncle Greg at the university with the C26:
I don't recall any noticeable hiss but this was probably in fall 1980. The turntable was just below the C26 in a foam-lined compartment, being blocked from view by a bunk-bed post. There's a cassette deck above, then a tuner, and a 100/100 power amp on top. Oh-oh and look.. an 8-Track deck in black on the tape machine!
Ok.. so we'll say it's for nostalgia sake.
-Gregory
Note rack and shelves made of 2x4s and furring strips.. and the skill saw in milk crate on top shelf above blue lamp.
The amount of hiss was about what you would expext from a well recorded vinyl analog LP, they all had some amount of bacground hiss which on smaller equipment was not all that objectionable.
Now on a modern setup with a well recorded CD or SACD where there is no background hiss on the recorded material you can hear the C26 hiss, and yes something like Kiipsch would be a good example for the type of speaker that will easily demonstrate C26's noise level.
Vahe
I was at a friends house who had just purchased some new MC 501's to go with his Klipisch La Scala II. He is an upgrade mode so the next piece to be replaced is going to be his C33. I will tell you from 7 feet away there was a noticeable hiss coming from the speaker with no volume on and nothing playing.
Maybe cabling? maybe source?
Maybe cabling? maybe source?
At the end of the day what you think is what matters, if you are happy with C26 keep it, if not, consider upgrading to a later model.
Vahe
Gregory
Soundco Kid
Check the Signal to Noise Ratio specs. Both the C26 and C33 have ground posts on the back panel.
Are you saying he's upgrading/replacing his C33? That ought to be a good catch for someone. I have no urge to upgrade the C33 and will likely keep it for life. Still have that C26 too.
-Gregory
perryinva
IS it vintage????
Wouldn't you all say that as the analog components age, hiss will increase? I guess the question is, is the FINAL result worth spending the ducats to bring it up to snuff? I had a wealthy friend in college (graduated WPI in 1980), that had Mac equipment, not brand new, but recent enough that we all drooled over it. I KNOW my Advent 300, with Marantz 170DC, large Advents, Dokorder RTR and Dual 1219 were better than 99% of the systems in my school and believe me, there was NO background hiss that did not come from a source. But when we listened to HIS system, with his Nak tape deck, (man, I wish I could remember what he had exactly) it was in-freaking credible compared to mine ...we'd listen to cranked up Pat Metheny, Herbie Hancock, and ELP for hours. And, yes, we used to complain bitterly about record surface noise, tape hiss, etc, being so obtrusive...never about the hardware itself...SO I find it hard to believe that in the vintage high end Mac gear, it's nothing more than age and out of spec tolerances that produce any hiss...we'll see soon enough, as my C28 is in Terrys house awaiting it's turn to be updated, and whether the updating is worth the money & wait.....Before I sent it out, hiss was on par, or maybe a bit louder than my 1900 that hasn't been worked over. I'll be comparing it to the reworked 1900 when it all comes back.
