This preamp has just blown away my expectaions. I was previously a Krell fan (for too long!) and now I have discovered McIntosh. First off was a Mc2125 that offered superb sound for 25 years of age but was not quite fast enough for my kind of music. I recently got the c712 and McIntosh 7100 (see review of it too) and am just amazed at the speed, clarity, depth, resolution, focus, bass extenstion (truly impressive), and an overall envelopping warmth that these two convey. My former Krell KAV250p was dead sound-wise with a dumb remote but I did not realize all this until now. The C712 has just the features I want and nothing I dont. It has balanced outputs, bass and treble controls good for those crappy CD recordings we all sometimes get, loudness compensation (more useful than I once thought!), beautiful looks, easy to use knobs and not any miniscule black buttons, and awesome fit, finish, and looks. I just love it! I am keeping it for a long long time, that is for sure.
Strengths:
looks and build, layout of controls, balanced outputs, just the essentials, excellent clarity, depth, and resolution.
Weaknesses:
Honestly, none.
Similar Products Used:
Krell KAV250p, auditioned maybe 20 or 25 more of all different makes.
Review Date
June 21, 2001
Overall Rating
5 of 5
Value Rating
5 of 5
Used product for
More than 1 year
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Reviewed by: Graham , Audiophile, from Vancouver, Canada
Price Paid: $1200 at Sound Plus
Product Model Year:
Pre 1995
Summary:
I've auditioned a large variety of preamps over the years, including Proceed and Mark Levinson. In my home environment, nothing has given me any reason to upgrade from my Mac.
The phono section is quiet, smooth and detailed enough for anyone that wishes to listen for a serious audition. Overall sound quality is very close to the newer, higher-priced McIntosh preamps. Perhaps if I had a large, soundproof listening room and the luxury of huge amounts of free time, I might be seduced away from this very complete preamp. I doubt it.
In the meantime, we enjoy non-fatiguing, finely detailed sound, a good soundstage,7 inputs, a choice of balanced or unbalanced outputs and an excellent remote control. If you can find one used, buy it! This model is superceded by the C15 preamp.
Associated Components:
McIntosh MC 7270 amplifier
CAL CL-10 CD changer
Thorens TD126 Mk.III turntable
Stanton 681EEE-S cartridge
Joseph Audio RM25si speakers
Strengths:
Doesn't draw attention to itself, no discernable sonic flaws
Weaknesses:
None in my system
Similar Products Used:
Linn, Yamaha, NAD
Review Date
June 11, 2001
Overall Rating
4 of 5
Value Rating
4 of 5
Used product for
More than 1 year
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Reviewed by: Kim Ji-Tae, Audio Enthusiast, from Seoul(South Korea)
Price Paid: $1500 at Seoul
Product Model Year:
1998
Summary:
Good price, good sounds.
Tone and loudness control knobs are very useful in home listening conditions.
Strengths:
Good design, easy to sound controls, good phono sounds
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
Adcom, Quad, Silvaweld(Korean product)
Review Date
May 24, 2000
Overall Rating
5 of 5
Value Rating
4 of 5
Used product for
More than 1 year
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Reviewed by: Andy Block, Audio Enthusiast, from Ann Arbor, MI
Product Model Year:
1995
Summary:
This "entry level" pre-amp was McIntosh's least expensive in 1995 at (gulp) $1500! However, it's simple construction is excellent for durability/reliabilty and sound quality. It has standard inputs for tuner, phono, video, and 2 CD players, all of which are selected by a rotary dial on the front panel. Two tape monitor/copy buttons control listening and tape to tape recording independent of the source dial. Independent "listen" and "record" dials are preferable, and available on better McIntosh models. Frequency equalization is available by single "Bass" and "Treble" knobs which are electronically removed from the signal path when turned to the "flat" position. I don't use these because they're too "heavy handed" for quality listening. I do use the "Loudness" knob. Yes KNOB, which allows the user to adjust the amount of "loudness" re-equalization (bass and treble boost) applied to the signal. It sounds hokey, but I like it! It also has mono and mute buttons and is almost fully controllable by remote. (The remote is beautiful although it's organization is only so-so.) This preamp sounds great! It adds little or nothing to the signal and the phono pre-amp is smooth and gutsy at the same time. At first I thought the highs were a little sharp, that it had a "clinical" sound, but after having owned this for 5 years I love the sound and have finally started listening (like the audiophiles) without any equalization. The incandescent bulbs behind the glass display panel have burned out twice. What a hassle. I wish they had just used LEDs. Overall, and especially for sound quality, this pre-amp is nearly perfect!
Strengths:
Simplicity, durability, easy to use controls
Weaknesses:
Expensive
Review Date
November 1, 1999
Overall Rating
5 of 5
Value Rating
5 of 5
Used product for
3 months to 1 year
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Reviewed by: Ali Fatemi, Audiophile, from Tehran, Iran
Product Model Year:
1998
Summary:
One of the best Pre money can buy specially for LP lovers.
Strengths:
exellent Phono section, very pleasent and warm midrang. tigh and controled bass
Weaknesses:
nothing particular
Similar Products Used:
Mcintosh MC7300 power amp, B&W matrix 802III, Marantz CD17 KI
