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Pass Labs vs. McIntosh Preamps

Interested in hearing from anyone who has experience with the Pass Labs x2.5 or x1 AND the McIntosh c2200 or c46. What differences in sound quality/presentation could I expect? And how significant would the differences be?

The pre will be mated with a McIntosh MC-402. Aside from the benefit of synergy with the Mac pre, are there any other obvious strengths with either manufacturer?

Thanks in advance for any responses!
samson111

Showing 1 response by downunder

downunder
1,329 posts
 
I demoed the C46 and C2200 at home for a couple of weeks.

The C46 has better bass and bass drive and has better top to bottom coherence.

I thought the C2200 was somewhat lean in the upper mids/lower treble but it did do have that tube treble which was nice. With the weak bass and leaness in the upper upper mids it gave a presentation that I did not like

Overall I preferred the c46. amps were MC2102's and MC501's.
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