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MacIntosh c12000 preamp - Can not tell a difference between tube and solid state sound

I bought a used MacIntosh C12000 preamp. It is in pristine condition. Looks new without a mark on it. It is working great also. 

 

Currently I have a Yamaha AS 32000 amp connected to it through main connects. It's just a tie me over amp until I find a good deal on a Moon amp. It is paired with Focal Sopra N1s.

One thing that urks me, though... when I toggle between solid state mode and tube mode on  main , I cannot tell a difference at all.  Why is that?

dman777
jond's avatar
jond
6,033 posts
 

Modern Mac tube gear doesn't sound very tubey it just sound neutral that's why.

dman777 OP
63 posts
 

That makes sense because I thought it sounded really flat on my Yamaha as 3200 amp. But when I heard it paired with a moon audio 761 at the store, it sounded really good. But yet if I use Yamaha 2000a as a preamp to the my Yamaha AS 3200, then that sounds really good....way  better than the c12000 paired with the as 3200. Why is that?

dynacohum
719 posts
 

Is your “2000a” an N-R2000A?  Is YPAO engaged?

glennewdick's avatar
glennewdick
1,762 posts
 

Also of note Mac uses JJ tesla tubes from the factory, upgrading your tube will help. 

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