General Asylum: REVIEW: McIntosh c38 Preamplifier (SS) by MikeP

The C38 is a beautiful unit to look at IMHO. It has many inputs, 3 tape loops, a processor loop, MM phono, three single ended outputs, 2 of which are switched, and one balanced output. The remote is full function except for balance. Quality of construction appears to be typical Mac (i.e. good).

The bass is absolutely great. Deep, solid, tight, well defined. I could easily get addicted to bass like this. The soundstage was deep and imaging was very good. Soundstage width was average, but this is probably as much a function of my set up as anything.

Dynamics are dramatic. Soft to loud transitions can make you sit up and take notice if you have the volume up.

Highs are for the most part open and airy with good clarity. Cymbals could get slightly splashy, depending on the disc.

I had problems with the midrange. I found it to be very slightly sibilant. It was not so bad that I couldn't have with it though. The main problem I had was an etched quality. Not so much harsh and I certainly wouldn't call it bright. It was just vivid. Too much so. I would start a disc thinking this sounds great. Then after a couple of songs I would turn it down. Then lose interest. Can you say listener fatigue? I'll bet you can. This may have to do with the interaction with my digital source components. I found the phono section to be excellent. I have an admittedly mid-fi analog rig and with the C38 it sounded better than I've ever heard it. If the C38 had been smaller physically, I would have considered keeping it just to use as a phono stage.

The C38 has many positive attributes. It didn't work for me, but in a different system I could see it being very competitive at the prices they can be had for used.

BTW: I purchased it from Audio Classics. Their advertised prices are a little high, but they gave me a very fair price on the C38, shipped promptly, and credited my account promptly after I returned it. Also, the condition was listed as mint and I literally couldn't tell it from new.

REVIEW: McIntosh c38 Preamplifier (SS) Review by MikeP at Audio Asylum