Tube pre-amp upgrade from Mcintosh C2300


If I want to upgrade my Mac C2300 tube pre, should I just move up within Mac line to Mac C500T or try an audio research Ref 5 or a Shindo Monbrison? Has anyone compared those?

My source is Linn Akurate DS player, amps are Mac MC402 and MC275, speaker is Wilson audio Sophia 2 with transparent Ultra cables.
yxlei

Showing 1 response by knghifi

Tube rolling is an option. It might work on Macs, but not too much on ARC and Shindo. Tube rolling is like trying different cables and I am a little tired of changing cables.
Yxlei (Threads | Answers | This Thread)
Isn't changing preamps the same as changing cables? Each has their own sonic characteristics.

My brother has a Mcintosh C2200 and with stock tubes, it was muffled, veiled, lacking dynamics ... HORRIBLE! After he replaced the cheapo Chinese tubes with Telefunken ribbed plates, we can't believe it was the same animal. Sound was open, dynamic, transparent ...