C712 pre-amp

Randy Myers

Randy Myers

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 7, 2015
Messages
6,086
Location
Kansas
So, I picked up a vintage C712 pre-amp. Really good shape, close to mint and came installed in the matching L70 case. It arrived today and I had a chance to listen to it a bit tonight. I certainly cannot say it sounds better than the Hattor, but I can definitely say it sounds different. I was impressed and liked what I heard. I also like that it controls the power on my phono stage, tuner, and vintage light box! It can also control the tuner functions from its remote!

I had to do some tuning on the gain on some of the other gear. I had to turn down the gain on the amplifier and the subwoofers a bit to allow for more volume control from the pre. I love the mechanical rotating of the volume knob from the remote on the unit!

All in all, I might be willing to give up some of what the Hattor offers for the McIntosh goodness. Always like adding another Mc piece into my system. I also liked the reply I got from Mc when I was asking them about the power connection cables for the C712 to my other pieces...

Here is Chuck's thought on the pre-amp:
"The C712 is new enough to have modern performance levels with decades of life left in it, and old enough to be had a good price, a perfect choice."
 
Congratulations Randy. Different can be great too. Keep us updated.
 
Beautiful little piece. Sounds great and works perfect with the other Mc gear.... I liked it so much that I decided to order my end game pre-amplifier, the C49! I got the order in just before the price increase hit!!!
 
The Hattor is a real nice pre-amp. No complaints, built fantastic, etc. But, as you know, I got Mc on the brain. I talked to my buddy this morn and ordered the C49. I look on several seller's web sites and see that the 10% price increase just hit!!! I literally got in just under the wire :).
 
Randy’s next room picture. Congratulations Randy :congrats::hey:

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Hey Randy-

Nice to see some action on the Mc place @ Audioshark! Congrats on the C49. Call me "Mc Blind" but IM(very)HO, no need to look anywhere else.

I know you have done a lot with DACs over the past years but you may be surprised at how good its built in DAC is. It's great you got in before the increase.

Currently, I am considering an amp upgrade...fortunately the amps in mind are recently released and hopefully immune to this.

Enjoying the Sweet Sounds of Mc,

John
:)
 
Thanks John, I am looking forward to the pre-amp. It can control the tuner (we have the same one); and it should be able to power up the NAD with the trigger function.

Eventually I may need to get a Mc amp :).
 
The MR 85 is a nice tuner. I bought mine second hand 15 or so years ago and although it's an occasional use can't seem to part with it.

In the Hudson Valley, Vassar College (91.3) and Radio Woodstock (100.1) have some good programming. WFMU although not at the long defunct Upsala College (Essex County NJ) survives @ Mt Hope, NY, 90.1.

For those folks unfamiliar, thanks for allowing two "upstate guys" a bit of local banter.

John
 
I had a MR85 a while back, during my relearning phase. I just got this one a few months ago from a gentleman who used to be dean of Carnegie Mellon University. Yea it is nice to chat with fellow upstaters :).
 
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