Mcintosh C20 I finally bought a tube preamp

[RogerD]

I have many SS preamps and just had the itch to find a vintage tube preamp and so I settled on a 1960 vintage Mac C20 all tube including a 6X4 rectifier tube. Monday it will be shipped off to Audio Classics to be gone through,recapped ect.

I listened to one or two Youtube videos and they do sound different than any of my SS preamps. I will pair them with a couple of Knight KB85 60 watt amps and my JBL L200's.

I'll be excited to get it back and listen to how it sounds.

Anyone here ever own a C20?

This one is a 5L series which is a early version.

The photo of the C20 is not mine...I think it is a handsome vintage preamp.

 

[Ron Resnick]

Very cool, Roger!

Let us know how it sounds!

 

[RogerD]

Very cool, Roger!

Let us know how it sounds!

Will do Ron....thanks

 

[RogerD]

Since I like older equipment I have come to a conclusion that if a buy any more audio except speakers it will probably be McIntosh. Just because it's easy to find qualified people to restore them. Though Terry Dewick has retired and he was one of the best. I sent my C20 to Audio Classics with a box full of parts that I picked out to voice the unit.
I know it is a sacred cow to keep them original or to use only Illinois caps or something similar. But to put 75 bucks worth of parts in a preamp that goes for 20x what it originally sold for makes no sense to me.
I'll post some photos of the unit when I get it back from Ryan. I have a MR66,MR71,1500 receiver and will probably have a MC275 or MC60's soon to send to Audio Classics and then I can sit back and enjoy them and the music.

 

[Medialies]

I have many SS preamps and just had the itch to find a vintage tube preamp and so I settled on a 1960 vintage Mac C20 all tube including a 6X4 rectifier tube. Monday it will be shipped off to Audio Classics to be gone through,recapped ect.

I listened to one or two Youtube videos and they do sound different than any of my SS preamps. I will pair them with a couple of Knight KB85 60 watt amps and my JBL L200's.

I'll be excited to get it back and listen to how it sounds.

Anyone here ever own a C20?

This one is a 5L series which is a early version.

The photo of the C20 is not mine...I think it is a handsome vintage preamp.

Congrats!!

 

[Addicted to hifi]

Congratulations as well on the c20. I am a Mac fan and there’s nothin better for me.

 

[Lampie519]

You own a piece of audio history, i guess once it has been updated (upgaded with new parts) it will combine great with any vintage or modern loudspeaker.

 

[RogerD]

My C20 is ready to ship. I'm excited to say the least and look forward to have a tube preamp mated to my Klipschorns.
Here are the before and after specs....well worth the outlay to bring the C20 up to spec. Ryan at AC who did the work says it sounds wonderfully warm,like it should.

 

[RogerD]

I received my C20 back from Audio Classics,all in all I think they did a excellent job and they used almost all my parts I voiced for the preamp.
I used Arizona Capacitor blue and red cactus, Mundorf SGO, Miflex copper,Duelund copper,and Teflon,plus Black Gate FX in the P.S. ,also Mundorf Mlytic for the filament cap. The P.S. was doubled w low ESR 105c caps. All the low noise resistors and other critical ones were replaced with 1W 1 pct Takiman and Shinko....I had a majority of these parts left over from other builds which was a lot easier to justify doing this.
I want to thank Ryan K. For helping me out....just a great organization in Vestal N.Y. They get all my restorations now.
I have to wait for my Accuphase P300 amplifier to get back...but will update my comments on how the Khorns sound with this new setup.

P.S. forgot to mention I had them replace the 6x4 rectifier tube with solid state rectification. The later C22 used SS rectifiers.

 

[RogerD]

Some audiophile McIntosh "what's best" porn. Audio Classics did a wonderful job for me. Will it be the best? time will tell....
I pulled the bottom cover because I wasn't sure the tech fitted my 4 Jupiter .022uf caps. They weren't shown on his build sheet,but they did not send them back. I was happy to see them used....they are a great capacitor,very detailed and hopefully a good match for the C20.

 

[RogerD]

Audio Classics now has my Mac1500 receiver so I await it's return. I'm getting ready to send them my MR80 tuner. These pieces will join my C20 and Accuphase P300 amp a long with my Accuphase T106 tuner. I will use my dual mono crown for the RTR and a modified Stanton ST150 turntable w a AT VM750SH. Kind of a weird mix when you throw in a pair of Klipschorns. I am very fond of the Khorns....the bass has won me over and the ability to have all this in my bedroom no less has enhanced my audio life. A observation I'm sure would make me a candidate to get me tar and feathered by most wives. Not my problem.