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Mcintosh C15 - Your Impressions and Matching Power Amp

Dear All

 

I would very much appreciate your advise. I have been looking for C15 reviews but I could not find much on the net, so hope to get your opinions here.

I have been offered an irresistible deal for a Mcintosh vintage C15 preamp in very good condition and recently serviced. I understand the amp has smooth delivery, a good grip on bass and pretty detailed with the usual Mcintosh house holographic or tube like sound from the few reviews I have read that were available. I intend to replace my current Schiit Freya preamp with the C15.

Being new to Mcintosh, I hope those who know about this C15 amp or own it could give your impressions of its sound quality which would be helpful. Always wanted to own one hearing so much about various models of Mcintosh amps.

I am also looking at a matching power amp and would appreciate suggestions. Currently I own a class D - XTZ A2 300, 150 watt per channel power amp. Would this be a good match with the C15? Or should I be looking at something else. My speakers are Klipsch RP 6000f which are not really bright as most might think. More clean sounding.

I welcome your thoughts.

ram18
oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,479 posts
 

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 

oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,479 posts
 

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    

ram18 OP
87 posts
 

@oddiofyl 

Haha. Thanks for your forthright  views and suggested price range.  I have some room to negotiate I guess.

waytoomuchstuff's avatar
waytoomuchstuff
1,008 posts
 

@oddiofyl 

Cleaver username.  

I trust your ears (and brain) and your observations may be spot on.  

This is a great example of why we do audio forums.  Somebody has a question, then others with real hands-on experience share their thoughts.  Then the inuquirer (OP) takes that information and makes an informed decision.

There are no "right" or "wrong" decisions by the OP.  The solution picked by the OP is the "right" one for the OP.  Everyone, expecially the OP, is happy.  

sid42
301 posts
 

I own the C15 preamp and am very happy with it. I've owned many Mac pre's, including the C48, but the C15 is still my choice because of it's simplicity and looks, and sounds great to my old ears. Paid $800 for it many years ago. My amp is the MC7200, a non autoformer amp  200 wpc. That amp is my favorite of all the Mac amps I've owned, the last of the Gordon Gow era before he passed away. BTW, the C15 was the preamp that Roger Russell had in his own system, which should tell you something. If you buy one at the right price, you can always sell it and get your money back if it's not to your liking. @oddiofyl gave some good thoughts to consider!

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