Comparison: McIntosh C2200 / C220

Hi, I am new to Zerogain. Next month I intend to get a new pre-amp; either the C2200 or the C220 from McIntosh. Has anybody carried out an A/B comparison, that is a blind test to check out any difference in sound? I would be interested to know what people think. Cliff A.

 

Iwas well impressed by the macintosh gear at heathrow show in april ....maybe just a few to many pretty lights. But the vale hybrid? pre sounded good with the power amps.

 

i did not listened but be careful about matching .
i think mac is a musical brand

 

What is the rest of your kit? I have only heard McIntosh a few times but liked it on all occasions.

 

I'm currently driving a vintage set of JBL L150s with a McIntosh MC252 and Kenwood 650 for pre amp. Turntable is a PLC 590 with 3009 series 3. Most of my kit is probably as old as a lot of the people on this forum!
My speakers have come to the end of their (very busy) lives so new ones are required soon. I'm considering Tannoy Glenairs.

 

mcintosh and JBL ?

cool!

shame to break the partnership... how about some speakers with 15" JBLs?

 

mcintosh and JBL ?

cool!

shame to break the partnership... how about some speakers with 15" JBLs?

 

So good he has to say it twice.

 

lol!! was just going to delete one...

but it IS actually good enough to say twice.


if "Mcintosh and JBL" was a woman, I'd marry her.

 

Yes I think it would be nice to have a pair of K2s but unfortunately they are a bit too expensive. I liked the old 4300 series studio monitors too - a very real sound. 15" woofers are the way to go!

Anyone got opinions on Mac valve pre-amps please?

 

i loved the McIntosh Dali partnership that i heard at the hi-fi show... real weight and power to the performance... the amp sounded very in control. Thoroughly enjoyable.

 

Cliff,

the 2200 was effectively what was built into my old MA2275 integrated. I used it as a seperate pre/power on a number of occasions.

Very good it was too, although the phono stage was of the "passable" variety - fortunately bypassable for decent results.

I've not heard the 220 yet, having moved on to somewhat more exotic amplification. The 220 is AFAIK a different circuit.

I also currently use JBL's (4338) and suspect the marriage with McIntosh will work well. The modern McIntosh sound is solid and big boned, whilst not overtly detailed or seemingly transparent. The information is all there, just in a somewhat understated manner. It somehow sounds right. You have to forego a lot of the nicities of McIntosh ownership to improve on much of their current range IMHO.

 

If anyones interested I found some information on the Audiokarma forum regarding a 2200/220 comparison.
I don't think theres much chance that I'll be able to compare the two directly here in the UK, but I'll see if Andy Davison can help arrange it.

Does anyone have any recommendations regarding valve pre amps in the £4k to £5k range? Its always interesting to listen to a variety of gear!