NAD: Mark IIC (No +)

[braintheory]

Got this IIC HRGX a little over 2 weeks ago. I’d been looking for a while to to get a iic (no +). Unlike the iic+ this amp is very rough around the edges/gritty. My C+ HRG and Rev C are at my tech now, so can’t AB yet, but from what I can tell it seems like the c+ still was better in that special feel and liquid lead tone with probably more note density and more of the overall Metallica sound, but overall I think I’m enjoying this amp more and will be able to say for sure when I can AB. This seems like it’s way more raw/rough, jagged, open, bright, cutting and aggressive. The iic+ though had also this silky quality about it with a certain clarity from it that I don’t get with this c. Both amazing amps in their own ways that I hope to compare soon. Different flavors

I do though have to dial it in less bright than other marks (lower presence mainly) or it gets harsh and loses clarity and balance. I really hope we don’t see more c’s get converted to c+’s. I’d love for there to be as many of these as can be. It’s too good to lose more of them. It basically sounds like how I fantasized mark iii’s would sound from all these online descriptions of them being more aggressive than iic+’s, but the IIC seems to actually deliver on that in the way I hoped for in my head

 

[DanTravis62]

Nice man! lets get some pics

 

[Smash]

When you get the other back, do som a/b clips. Preferably heavy rhythm. It is time for me to get some Sam clips!

Also maby throw in the rev c

 

[bubucci]

Lets hear some of its magic thru clips ... or it is Reissue ?

 

[CrystalSky]

Hell yeah Sam! I remember you told you like no-plus IIC a lot, so I guess goal reached. Happy NAD! ??

 

[braintheory]

When you get the other back, do som a/b clips. Preferably heavy rhythm. It is time for me to get some Sam clips!

Also maby throw in the rev c

I’ll do it and pm you with them

 

[braintheory]

Nice man! lets get some pics

The headshell is not original

 

[marvcus]

That is so cool. You rarely see a non + IIC in the wild. Glad some still exist.

 

[braintheory]

That is so cool. You rarely see a non + IIC in the wild. Glad some still exist.

For sure! That’s what it took me a while to find a good example of one. It’s a real shame many imo downgraded in some ways to make them c+’s. At least when it comes to rawness and gritty aggression a downgrade

 

[Beyond Black]

Just when my GAS is at an all time low, you go and do this to me!

 

[JackBootedThug]

Killer amp dude! Love it. Not sure if it’s been covered but what is the difference between the + and yours? I want another mesa bad….

 

[braintheory]

Killer amp dude! Love it. Not sure if it’s been covered but what is the difference between the + and yours? I want another mesa bad….

I wouldn’t know the technical differences, but I described the sound differences in my post as much as I could between the c+ and c. Very different sound. When the iic+ is back I can compare them directly and try to do a clip showing

 

[braintheory]

Just when my GAS is at an all time low, you go and do this to me!

I’m here to tell what you need to hear, not what you want to hear LOL

 

[Beyond Black]

I’m here to tell what you need to hear, not what you want to hear LOL

I didn’t “need” anything until you said what you said!

 

[JackBootedThug]

I also love the IIb…. The c+ is not the be all end all grail… imo… of course I have never played any in person. That’s just me going off clips and videos so take it with a grain of salt…. And did I mention that was a sexy ass amp?

 

[braintheory]

I also love the IIb…. The c+ is not the be all end all grail… imo… of course I have never played any in person. That’s just me going off clips and videos so take it with a grain of salt…. And did I mention that was a sexy ass amp?

Yeah you really have to play one in person. The iic+ still is imo a truly special, exceptional amp that the iic doesn’t do the same thing as. The liquid 3D lead tones and feel they have are something else that don’t translate as much in the clips. Whether it’s the be all end all grail amp I guess depends on what one is looking for. If I could only keep one it would definitely be the iic for my preferences

 

[PurityS.L.G]

The IIb is a mean beast so I can imagine what yours sounds like. It couldn't be far off. Congrats on a rare find! Thats a keeper for sure.

 

[braintheory]

The IIb is a mean beast so I can imagine what yours sounds like. It couldn't be far off. Congrats on a rare find! Thats a keeper for sure.

It's been a while since I last tried a iib, but from what I remember they were a lot darker, fatter, smoother, probably similarly raw and bigger sounding I think since the B's had higher plate voltages generally. The iib coliseum I had (converted to a c+) sounded especially huge. This IIC is much brighter and grittier than other marks I've played (gotta lower its presence), but not like the iii's, where I wouldn't call those bright in the same way, but more messier, less musical high end on those amps to me. This IIC is more like maybe you killed the mark iic+'s child or wife and now wants revenge bad lol and became a iic

 

[PurityS.L.G]

This IIC is more like maybe you killed the mark iic+'s child or wife and now wants revenge bad lol and became a iic

Now THAT is a description!! LOL

Jeez man, that sounds right up my alley. I guess I'll have to put one on my radar now.

 

[glpg80]

Congrats on the insane score. I’m hoping you get a chance to compare it to your C+ so that differences can be heard. I can’t say I’ve ever heard just a IIC myself.

I wonder if the reissues have the ability to go backwards from C+ to just a C?