Which version of the C20 do you prefer?
- Thread starter Helius
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- c20 mcintosh preamplifier
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MRL_Audio
RIP 2022
Seller's remorse... see that a lot with Mac equipment.
Sold it because I was afraid that if something went wrong with it there was nobody locally who I trusted enough to work on it correctly. In hindsight it was the wrong decision because it's small enough to safely ship anywhere. Did the same thing with my C22.
But lucky enough to now own a C11 and MX110Z and those won't be going anywhere.
BMWCCA
Addicted Member
I've owned mine for over 50-years. It's not in front of me right now but it is a Mid-version, I believe it is a 6L series, so early that the "McIntosh" is not in the stylish old-English font. I prefer the glass front panel but would love to know how they differ sonically. Mine was completely re-capped by Dave O'Brien at a Mac Clinic at High Fidelity Showroom in St. Louis probably around 1972. Sticker is still on it. Performance report is stashed somewhere. Untouched pretty much since then. They had to keep it overnight to get it to meet their standards. No idea what else was done at that time. 
I used to have C22, but unlike those who showed blind love for it, I didn't like its sound that much. I ended up keeping C20, its early model.
Yeah, early, mid, and later models. It depends on your personal taste. I love the early model because of its cosmetic beauty, compared with later models.
I'm not crazy about it(or the C11) either. I use the C11 now as an additional phono and AUX, augmenting my MX110. I'd trade the C11 for a C20(preferably early) any day of the week.
Yep, C20 early model is the choice over its mid or later models if you like its cosmetic vintage like me. By the way, my 110Z in the care of Audio Classics at the moment for a rebuild.
BMWCCA
Addicted Member
Isn't it only the mid and late versions with the red lines for the upper controls? Did the early version have a plastic front panel as noted here: http://www.mcintoshcompendium.com/Compendium Docs/Pre-Amplifiers/PDFs/C20 Differences.pdf
I think the design of the mid and late versions was simply exceptional, especially when considering the time period.
I think the design of the mid and late versions was simply exceptional, especially when considering the time period.
Yep, C20 mid and late models look beautiful.
C20 early model has also red lines when powered up.
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BMWCCA
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Thanks!
The picture in The Compendium would seem to indicate otherwise
I consider myself lucky to own the late model (potted transformer). Have never heard the earlier ones. So I guess it’s my favorite.
Untitled by analog addict, on FlickrI used to ask a similar Q many moons ago. I ended up with the middle version, which is nice, but also have a C22, which is nice.
As far as SQ, have never been able to compare an early version to the middle version to the later version, so no idea how much if any SQ difference there may or may not be.
