Finally Found What I Wanted and Pulled The Trigger

Jack in Wilmington

Jack in Wilmington

Member
Joined
Nov 18, 2013
Messages
196
Location
Wilmington, De.
I spent the last two days looking at the used market and I finally worked out a deal on a McIntosh C 2600. It's in like new condition. It really came down to the McIntosh, the Audio Research LS28 and the Audio Research Ref. 3. I want to thank everybody that took time to post, because I had so many parameters to work around that I'm sure it was frustrating at times. Through this experience I discovered an alternative to Audiogon called U.S. Audio Mart. It never hurts to have choices. The preamp should be arriving this week. Early Christmas Gift?
 
Congrats Jack. The 2600 is a nice preamp. Enjoy.


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Jack in Wilmington said:
I spent the last two days looking at the used market and I finally worked out a deal on a McIntosh C 2600. It's in like new condition. It really came down to the McIntosh, the Audio Research LS28 and the Audio Research Ref. 3. I want to thank everybody that took time to post, because I had so many parameters to work around that I'm sure it was frustrating at times. Through this experience I discovered an alternative to Audiogon called U.S. Audio Mart. It never hurts to have choices. The preamp should be arriving this week. Early Christmas Gift?
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Congrats Jack! It should be a fantastic pre-amp. I have used US Audio Mart several times.
 
Mikado463 said:
Congrats Jack, Merry Christmas !
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Thanks for your insight on the Audio Research equipment. I'm sure if I had gone in that direction I would have been very satisfied. Audio Research has a timeless reputation and you don't get that by selling mediocre gear. I used to go into HiFi House and I was always pleased when I got to listen to their stuff.
 
Jack - glad you found what you were looking for.
Now you get to experiment with tubes, if you want.

Gold Lion 12AX7 gold pin tubes (ECC83/B759/12AX7) and 12AT7 gold pin tubes (ECC81/B739/12AT7) are a great upgrade to the McIntosh branded JJ tubes that came with your preamp. The Gold Lion tubes have a detailed yet liquid sound with very low noise levels.

I run these in my C 2300 and like them a lot. They are less expensive than used tubes from Telefunken, Mullard, etc. and perform quite well.
 
W9TR said:
Jack - glad you found what you were looking for.
Now you get to experiment with tubes, if you want.

Gold Lion 12AX7 gold pin tubes (ECC83/B759/12AX7) and 12AT7 gold pin tubes (ECC81/B739/12AT7) are a great upgrade to the McIntosh branded JJ tubes that came with your preamp. The Gold Lion tubes have a detailed yet liquid sound with very low noise levels.

I run these in my C 2300 and like them a lot. They are less expensive than used tubes from Telefunken, Mullard, etc. and perform quite well.
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The previous owner of the C-2600 said he was including a second set of tubes but I don't remember if he mentioned what brand they were. He did say he was selling the C-2600 to upgrade to the C-1100.
 
Congrats on the new piece. I believe the biggest improvement will be in the midrange, it will be more liquid and 3 dimensional.
 
I always like it when folks (or myself) buy new stuff, that's my second favorite part of this hobby. I favorite part is turning the lights down and just listening. Do try it with your existing cables first so we get your feedback under identical conditions. I noticed when I used to have my SLP-03 that when I cranked it up the sound stage would just self destruct. Did you notice that with yours? Also, be careful when tube rolling, it's real easy to go down that yellow brick road and never find a way out. Telefunken smooth plates for a smoother top end, Gold Lion for more top end, these are very different sounding tubes. BTW, there is no "best" tube, it depends on what the system needs and the sound you like. For instance, I'm 66 and I know I have a slight loss up top so I would choose the Gold Lion. I'm rambling so good luck.
 
stereogeek said:
I always like it when folks (or myself) buy new stuff, that's my second favorite part of this hobby. I favorite part is turning the lights down and just listening. Do try it with your existing cables first so we get your feedback under identical conditions. I noticed when I used to have my SLP-03 that when I cranked it up the sound stage would just self destruct. Did you notice that with yours? Also, be careful when tube rolling, it's real easy to go down that yellow brick road and never find a way out. Telefunken smooth plates for a smoother top end, Gold Lion for more top end, these are very different sounding tubes. BTW, there is no "best" tube, it depends on what the system needs and the sound you like. For instance, I'm 66 and I know I have a slight loss up top so I would choose the Gold Lion. I'm rambling so good luck.
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It just got delivered. The seller was including 2 Gold Lion tubes along with the stock tubes. All the tubes have very low hours on them.
 
Enjoy it Jack!!! I always have really liked Gold Lion tubes whenever I have had any. I rotate 4 different set of tubes in my pre-amp, but I do prefer the Gold Lions!
 
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