Price Paid:  $1100.00 from ebay

Summary:
Great preamp, sound superb, after more then 30 years this amp still works like new one. I got it from ebay.I had so many different preamps this one the best one if you see one of these and if price is right for you buy it I am sure you will love it.

Strengths:
looks and sounds great.

Weaknesses:
none

Similar Products Used:
marantz,paragon,many others

Price Paid:  $2500.00

Summary:
Why would anyone consider an original C22, when the re-issue is far, far superior to the old one?? The noise floor is alot lower, all the parts are current state-of-the-art. If you can find a new one still on a McIntosh dealers shelve, it comes with a 3 year warranty from the date of purchase. Try to get THAT on eBay!!!!!!! You''ll spend at least 2K for a who knows how it was used, 3 decade old, ready to be refurbished mail order surprize. Why are they all sold "as is"? ANYWAY..... This is the best pre-amp of all time, just better. Music sounds REAL. And, of course, it''s not overly bright like the transistor garbage folks are led to believe is "detailed". Get a brain, folks! Detail does not mean BRIGHT! For those that care, the other links in my audio chain: McIntosh MC275 re-issue amp (stainless rules, why settle for old PITS!!)Rega Planet 2000 cd player, Music Hall MMF-7 w/ Goldring cartridge, MR71 FM tuner- with the Richard Modaffari modifications.(audioclassics.com & WELL worth it) Paradigm Reference Studio 100, Version II speakers. All cables are Tributaries, including the fully balanced pre-amp to amp connections. Yeah, another advantage over the OLD C22.

Strengths:
When the bass & treble controls are at "12", they are out of the circuit. I also like the ability to listen to records, usually from the 60''s. They all sound correct thru McIntosh tube equipment.

Weaknesses:
I should have bought it sooner, but I was in a solid state haze for many years. What did I know, I was a young, punk kid!

Similar Products Used:
Nothing compares to McIntosh equipment. And I don''t even work for them!!!! Nor do I get any type of kick-back! Yeah, get yourself McIntosh tube products and HEAR for yourself. I think there is ma

Price Paid:  $990.00 from ebay

Summary:
This is it. C22 is best Mcintosh unit period. I had try alot of hi end gears in the past but this one made in 1965 and sound super,it is hard to find, no body wants to sell his C22, I am using all Telefunken tubes and Mc30 Mono blocks great sound comes out of my Tannoy golds, combination of this set is very affordable compare to mega bucks hi end JUNK out there. Build and sound quality is exceptional well detailed and easy to listen, you will like it too.

Strengths:
Perfect unit.

Weaknesses:
None.

Similar Products Used:
C.J., AR, Krell, ML.

Summary:
I have a c-22 matched with a mc-275 and mr-71 along with altec lansing duplex speakers... Ive compared it a few times with the commemorative issue..and i think hands down, the original sounds nicer, sweeter..I love the preamp, and i cant get over how great it sounds..sometimes..im just in awe.. I will never sell this preamp.. ive had it handed down to me,and will hand it down to my kids..long live Mc.

Summary:
The C22 Commemorative was something I purchased mainly as a matching piece to the MC275 reissue I obtained earlier. I plugged it into a system which also consisted of a Rega Planet CD player, a Mac MR71 FM tuner, and Paradigm Studio 100 loudspeakers.
With all tone controls, loudness switch, and filters set to flat, the C22 is undoubtedly warm, especially in the mid-bass region. Compared to the Audio Research LS8 that I also have, I could hear that the C22 blurred some finer details on recordings. I suppose that some people might find this sound to be very seductive and may indeed prefer it over other pre-amps that are more neutral and transparent. But while weightier mid-bass is an audible coloration, it also offers up a soundstage that is fairly deep and wide compared to the aforementioned ARC and the conrad-johnson PV10AL.

Should an audiophile purchase the C22? That would depend on someone's tastes and priorities. If you like a warm and rich sound to sink into, then this pre-amp is for you. But if you like a crisp, quick, and detailed sound, then you are better off looking at something else, unless you are willing to fiddle with the tone controls and the problems that come with using them (i.e. phasing and distortion.)

For anyone who is a fan of the classic tube sound of the 1950s and 60s, then you must audition this pre-amp. Although I had no original C22 to compare to, I had an original C11 pre-amp which had a similar circuit and features. The overall sonic characteristics of the two were fairly close, but the C22 reissue was quieter and lower bass extension. Of course, the C11 I have is close to 40 years old and the age of the capacitors and other components might have been factors in the difference. But in terms of sonics, the Mac engineers were very faithful to the originals. There are a few changes that are part and parcel of the new C22. For example, the LP equalization rocker switch has been replaced with a 2nd tape loop switch. Some of the input choices on the source selector knob have been re-named. Balanced outputs have been added in addition to the usual RCA jacks. The phase switch, panloc buttons, and panel brightness control have been deleted. Last but certainly not least, some 12AT7 tubes are now used as opposed to the all 12AX7A complement that the old C22 used.