Finally Found What I Wanted and Pulled The Trigger

**Jack in Wilmington** · November 21, 2021, 10:03 AM

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?

**Mike** · November 21, 2021, 10:28 AM

Congrats Jack. The 2600 is a nice preamp. Enjoy.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

**Randy Myers** · November 21, 2021, 11:21 AM

Originally Posted by Jack in Wilmington

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! It should be a fantastic pre-amp. I have used US Audio Mart several times.

**Jack in Wilmington** · November 21, 2021, 11:33 AM

Originally Posted by Randy Myers

Congrats Jack! It should be a fantastic pre-amp. I have used US Audio Mart several times.

So far so good with U.S. Audio Mart. Huge inventory.

**Randy Myers** · November 21, 2021, 12:53 PM

Originally Posted by Jack in Wilmington

So far so good with U.S. Audio Mart. Huge inventory.

Most people seemed to be honest and will do as they say. To me it is important to check out feedback. Certainly a variety of stuff is always available there

.

**Mikado463** · November 21, 2021, 03:28 PM

Congrats Jack, Merry Christmas !

**Jack in Wilmington** · November 21, 2021, 04:22 PM

Originally Posted by Mikado463

Congrats Jack, Merry Christmas !

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.

**Mechnutt** · November 21, 2021, 08:10 PM

Congrats Jack!

**Mr Peabody** · November 22, 2021, 01:11 PM

Congrats. Looking forward to how it sounds in your system.

**W9TR** · November 22, 2021, 05:41 PM

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.

**Jack in Wilmington** · November 22, 2021, 05:53 PM

Originally Posted by W9TR

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.

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.

**stereogeek** · November 22, 2021, 06:47 PM

Congrats on the new piece. I believe the biggest improvement will be in the midrange, it will be more liquid and 3 dimensional.

**Shadowfax** · November 22, 2021, 09:12 PM

Congrats Jack, enjoy!

**Jack in Wilmington** · November 22, 2021, 10:15 PM

Originally Posted by stereogeek

Congrats on the new piece. I believe the biggest improvement will be in the midrange, it will be more liquid and 3 dimensional.

That's something that I was looking for in my next preamp.

**stereogeek** · November 29, 2021, 09:49 PM

Did you get it yet?

**Jack in Wilmington** · November 29, 2021, 10:21 PM

Originally Posted by stereogeek

Did you get it yet?

It's in transit and I'm expecting it any time. I just put my Cary SLP-03 up for sale and I ordered some new cables for the C 2600. Things in general don't seem to run as smoothly as they did in the past.

**stereogeek** · November 30, 2021, 09:11 AM

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.

**Jack in Wilmington** · November 30, 2021, 01:10 PM

Originally Posted by stereogeek

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.

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.

**Randy Myers** · December 1, 2021, 10:39 AM

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!

**Jack in Wilmington** · December 3, 2021, 09:15 AM

[QUOTE=Randy Myers;340715]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![/QU

**Jack in Wilmington** · December 3, 2021, 10:53 PM

Well, my preamp arrived, and I still had to wait for the cables that I ordered. Here are some early pictures.
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**Mikado463** · December 4, 2021, 01:54 PM

no pics Jack ??

**CPP** · December 4, 2021, 02:28 PM

Just plug it in Jack and let it play, get some hours on it until those other cables arrive.

**stereogeek** · December 4, 2021, 03:10 PM

How does it sound?

**Jack in Wilmington** · December 4, 2021, 05:14 PM

Originally Posted by Mikado463

no pics Jack ??

For some reason, I couldn't get pic to work. They worked on Audioaficionado.

**Jack in Wilmington** · December 4, 2021, 07:53 PM

Originally Posted by stereogeek

How does it sound?

Smooth. I've tried vinyl, CD, and HiRes over USB and they sound different in a good way. It hasn't disappointed so far. It's like a game now, I push the buttons, turn the knobs, and hit play and see what comes out as I raise the volume.

**Jack in Wilmington** · December 9, 2021, 02:41 PM

Well, I'm a week into the C2600 and it's amazing how good everything sounds. I was starting to think my speakers were maybe showing their age. I hooked up my laptop to the C2600 via USB and the HiRez using Qobuz is great.

**aKnyght** · December 9, 2021, 03:30 PM

really enjoying this thread... and, it has rekindled my interest in mac gear.

maybe i "need" a c22 or the c70 anniversary version??

anyway, enjoy!!

**Randy Myers** · December 9, 2021, 03:38 PM

I have been thinking about the C49... I wish I could get a Mc without their DAC... actually the C8 seems somewhat intriguing to me... I am also thinking that the Hattor three box solution, while not as well known, might actually sound a bit better.... sooooo....

**Jack in Wilmington** · December 9, 2021, 05:32 PM

Originally Posted by aKnyght

really enjoying this thread... and, it has rekindled my interest in mac gear.

maybe i "need" a c22 or the c70 anniversary version??

anyway, enjoy!!

I was this close to going for the C70, and I would have had a C2600 not shown up for a real nice price.

**Reg19** · August 2, 2022, 03:09 PM

Originally Posted by Jack in Wilmington

I was this close to going for the C70, and I would have had a C2600 not shown up for a real nice price.

Just saw this thread. I sold the c2600 to you (along with the Gold Lions). We messed up on meeting up midway for delivery but all’s well that ends well. Hope they arrived in good shape & that you are enjoying the C2600.

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