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phono stage sound mcintosh c22 or arc sp3 updated

50.29.136.81
Posted on January 23, 2015 at 22:28:59
n.buzzard@hotmail.com
Audiophile

Posts: 5
Location: northeast pa
Joined: January 18, 2015
 Has anyone heard both preamps, I am interested in the phono stage mostly. It will be hitched to S.S. amps. can I save the bucks and go with arc3 ? I have little to compare, only a marantz 7c which was amazing when it wasnt in a bad mood. C22 or sp3 with modern upgrades.
I enjoy a nice balance of warmth and brightness, (I think the S.S. amps will take care of the brightness). So, I guess a vintage transparent, warm sounding pre is what im looking for. Oh yea, im leaning towards the sp3 considering the $1500- avg. Price. Any other options in this range? My limited research alway points to the sp3.
I promise to never play a C.D. thru it, hahaha.
Thanks for the advice

 

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RE: phono stage sound mcintosh c22 or arc sp3 updated, posted on January 24, 2015 at 03:49:04
Uncle Mike
 Seems you have your mind set on an SP3.

 

RE: phono stage sound mcintosh c22 or arc sp3 updated, posted on January 24, 2015 at 10:59:48
Brian Levy
Audiophile

Posts: 2438
Location: Toronto
Joined: June 5, 2000
 What updating has been done to the ARC and which version. Back when the SP3a1 was in production, I had a C22 with it and found the ARC better in almost all ways save, one. The ARC is far airier and transparent sounding, .so to speak,.as well as the soundstage and speed was better. The Mc was darker with more authority.

Neither was better but the ARC in my system had better synergy. I was running KLH Nines and JansZen HP824s using several Amos including Marantz 9s, Mcintosh MC250 and ARC D75.

I am not sure I would have made the same choice if running say, Klipsch Cornwalls, etc. In that case, I thing the system would have sounded too thin.
Don Brian Levy, J.D.
Toronto ON Canada

 

RE: phono stage sound mcintosh c22 or arc sp3 updated, posted on January 24, 2015 at 14:35:38
Caucasian Blackplate
Industry Professional

Posts: 8313
Location: Seattle
Joined: June 18, 2004
 They both have very similar phono stages.

 

RE: phono stage sound mcintosh c22 or arc sp3 updated, posted on January 24, 2015 at 17:21:08
AJ
Audiophile

Posts: 532
Joined: February 24, 2001
 I have the ARC SP3-a1, Marantz 7and just sold my ARC SP 8 which I owned new since '83. I've had the Mc C22 in the system and have had the ARC SP 10.

I now use a 3 box preamp that must weigh over 100lbs.

I love the Marantz , the SP 3 is similar but not as "romantic". Don't know what your budget is but if you can find an SP 8 version II you will have split the rails between the Marantz and SP 3 with a far more accurate pre with the warmth of the others.

Can't go wrong with the SP3 way better value than the Mac or Marantz. I am not a fan of the C22..that's just me take it with a grain of salt. I believe the Marantz will outpace the C22 in collectors value and I like sound better.

If you shop carefully you will find an SP8 for about what an SP3 goes for.

 

RE: phono stage sound mcintosh c22 or arc sp3 updated, posted on January 25, 2015 at 16:09:44
Palustris
Audiophile

Posts: 2408
Location: Cape Cod
Joined: September 12, 2008
 The conrad-johnson PV-5 is similar to the two preamps you mention above in terms of quality and will have a more modern sound (more clarity) than the Mac without loosing the tube warmth you are endevoring to achieve. I am disposed to believe their present value is about $750.

 

RE: phono stage sound mcintosh c22 or arc sp3 updated, posted on January 26, 2015 at 04:59:53
Brian Levy
Audiophile

Posts: 2438
Location: Toronto
Joined: June 5, 2000
 I have compared the CJ and ARC and found the opposite so it may be more then total system vs components we heard.
Don Brian Levy, J.D.
Toronto ON Canada

 

RE: phono stage sound mcintosh c22 or arc sp3 updated, posted on January 26, 2015 at 10:55:37
Michael Samra
Dealer

Posts: 36118
Location: saginaw michigan
Joined: January 30, 2005
 I'm a huge fan of Mcintosh tube gear as I rebuild and upgrade a lot of it. I'm not a big fan of the C22. I have a C22 and a C11 in my collection,both of which are the same preamp electrically but they have a more sterile sound and the loudness is too boomy in the way it slopes.The SP3A in this case gets my vote. Now the C20 is a wonderful preamp and it has a much more desirable sound AFAIC.I also have two of those that are totally rebuilt.
"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong" H. L. Mencken

 

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