Mcintosh C15 - Your Impressions and Matching Power Amp

Not sure what an "irresistible" deal is but i think C15 are generally overpriced.   That unjt was built during the Clarion years.   Those were tough times for McIntosh , that unit was good but not great.  I replaced mine with a conrad johnson Classic 2se and the improvement was huge.     I would suggest something like that used or a new  Quicksilver line stage 

I bought one used around 04 for $750 , a few years later I sold it for $1350 on eBay.  It was pristine.    I saw one sell recently for $1500.    Having owned one, I would not spend that kind of money on one.    People generally overpay for used Mc in my opinion.  It's an iconic brand , but not everything that came out of Binghampton was great.   

You may not like its looks but the Sonic Frontiers SFL-1 built in the same era is much better sounding.   I picked one up for $500 as a back up preamp.  I’m using it right now.   It sounds good    

After owning several preamps after that , I can say each step up was better than the C15.   Hate to sound like a Debbie Downer but that isn’t a preamp that is so much desirable for it’s sound quality, but rather it’s looks.    If you pay less than $800 then yes good deal , $1000 or more your money can be better utilized elsewhere 

It is a good preamp, no doubt   $1500 msrp was a good chunck of change when introduced.   But when I see them places asking $1800 I have to scratch my head.  
 

I paid $750 back then and it served me well.  Never one issue .  

The 7100 is a very good amp, it was often paired with the C15.    They play well together