McIntosh C200, C46 Preamps

[jteoh1]

I have difficulty locating local dealers with McIntosh C200 preamp available for audition. I haven't listened to either C200($7000) and C46($4250) yet. So, I’m looking for your valuable input in selecting a preamp below $7500 to match up with my MC501 mono block amps and B&W Nautilus 802 speakers.

C200 has no tonal control. This seems like such a absolute purist approach and I wonder if the design is that ultimately excellent that makes tonal control unnecessary? The C46 8 band equalizer seems forgiving and offers an option to personalize tonal taste...

My audio preferences include deep but natural bass, smooth midrange and crystal clear unfatiguing high with wide and deep sound stage. The preamp combo shall provide open, airy musical experience with high degree of detail but not overly warm to a point it becomes dark and dull.

I prefer to have XLR connections form the CD source, to preamp and amp. I will also integrate the 2-channel preamp with my Denon 5803 receiver for HT purposes. So, it would help to have a preamp with pass-thru feature to avoid amp XLR/unbalanced connection switching hassle.

Does the C200 fully balanced design with separate controller/ power boxes offer significant sonic improvement to justify $3K more over C46?

C1000 preamp is supposed to be out in Aug. Maybe around $15K unless somebody knows the latest cost info. May be out of my budget for consideration...

I'm also open to any other preamp recommendations? A local dealer carries McIntosh c46, Ayre K-5X, Classe CP-500 and I will listen to them next weekend.

Thanks,
John

[Aussie Geoff]

Jteoh1,

What a dilema - I wish I had the same one :T

The C200 sounds clearer / more musical to my ears than the C46. Mind you it should with the price difference. Until the C1000 this is the best pre-amp that McIntosh know how to make.... I'd think a perfect match to the MC501 and B&W 802Ds...

Not that the C46 is a slouch as a pre-amp - But I suspect that you will find a clear small audible degradation to you ears when its equaliser / tone controls are switched in circuit - compaired to when you change to direct mode - so why compromise...

However at this price level - listening is a must...

Geoff

[jteoh1]

Geoff,

Thanks for your input... One local dealer is working with McIntosh rep to find me C200 and C46 to audition. Nothing beats the side-by-side comparison, better still if they let me eval them at home...

John