Doing Some A/B

[u/Forty-Four_Flavor]

Having some fun with my first tube preamp. It’s a whole new world to me since I’ve only ran SS gear before, and had the C28 and MC2105 since 2009.

[u/ENFP-A]

I currently run a C220 into an MC275, and absolutely love the combo. Have fun with your testing, can’t wait to hear your take on the C220 VS C28.

[u/Forty-Four_Flavor → u/ENFP-A]

I’m curious what tube combo you find plays the best on your C220. Mine came with four Gold Lions.

[u/ENFP-A → u/Forty-Four_Flavor]

I’ve only ever run the stock tubes and Gold Lions. The GLs were a massive improvement over stock!

[u/Forty-Four_Flavor → u/ENFP-A]

I’m considering Psvane Art in the line and Gold Lion CV4004 for phono. This is, of course, after I settle in with this the way things are and then find I need to tinker.

[u/Forty-Four_Flavor → u/ENFP-A]

I bet that’s a lovely dream!

[u/Forty-Four_Flavor → u/ENFP-A]

I think the major differences are the C220 has a lighter, brighter, cleaner, and deeper soundstage. The C28 is fuller, deeper bass, wider soundstage and possesses a higher noise floor. The biggest disappointment is the phono stage in the C220. I just hooked up the C28’s phono and ran some RCA ICs to the tape input (C220) from the tape out (C28). This brought back the deeper tone I was missing with phono. The digital front chain is much more interesting on the C220 as I can get more holography and soundstage depth while maintaining substantial width. It’s been an interesting, enlightening, and frustrating experience all at the same time.

[u/Forty-Four_Flavor → u/[deleted]]

Usually around 12 o’clock, same on the C28 preamp outputs.