Tube preamp top clearance--McIntosh or in general

I have owned my C2300 since January and think it is very good. I am using Mapleshade Triplepoints underneath it and there is just an inch above it, but my rack is open on all 4 sides and heat build up is not a problem. In fact, the top barely gets warm after extended listening sessions. Now my Mc275 is a different story...

I really like this preamp and its built in MC phono stage. I have replaced the stock tubes with Telefunken smooth plates in the line stage and the MC phono stage. Overall it is extremely quiet (even the phono stage) and has a rich character with nice detail and dynamics.

Personally I find the blue meters distracting and as a result they stay off in my system. But I do appreciate the easy user interface including changing the phono settings on the fly with the remote.

Dave

Go over to Audiokarma and do a search on the McIntosh Discussion Forum. You will find a lot of (mostly) useful information on the C2300 including comparisons with other McIntosh preamps.

Here is one link to a review by TonePub:

http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=150183&highlight=c2300+review

I listen to vinyl 90%+ of the time, but the line stage seems good on its own and most of my CD's are very listenable through it. I can't compare to your C46 because I have never heard it.

Dave