Conflicted with Preamps

Can you just return the Quad or cancel the order since it hasn't shipped yet?

You also need to consider break-in. I had the same dilemma with the Schitt Yggi+ LIM DAC that I got converted to MIB. Should I sell it immediately in the unopened box or listen. I was going to buy a second used Schitt Yggi+ OG to replace the MB.

I opened the box and found it sounded not too good. That was expected with the Yggi+ DACs which I found need about a month of hard burn-in. The MIB sounds very good now, not as good as the OG though. 

Yesterday, I signed up for the new uber Schitt DAC, called the Byggi for August availability. My MIB will be converted to the Byggi. Keeping the brilliant OG as is.

Return the Quad

@yyzsantabarbara 

+1 I agree. Breakin is critical. 

I used an Ai for this. But, it is likely to be pretty close to what you will experience. The Quad will require at least a hundred hours if you want to know what it will sound like. 

McIntosh does not specify an official break-in period for the C49 preamp in its documentation. However, based on user experiences and general high-end audio break-in practices, you can expect the C49 to settle sonically over 50 to 200 hours of playback.

Break-in Characteristics

• First 50 hours – The sound may initially feel slightly constrained, with transients not fully opening up.

• 50-100 hours – Improved dynamics, smoother treble, and more coherent bass response.

• 100-200 hours – The preamp reaches optimal performance, with fully developed tonal balance and micro-detail retrieval.

Since the C49 is a solid-state design, its break-in period is generally shorter than tube-based preamps. Running a variety of music at moderate levels continuously can help accelerate the process.

I'm sure the C49 is broken in. Don't get me wrong I do like the sound. Hence the "Conflicting" title.I was just curious if this forum might think that I should not open the Quad when it arrives and list it for sale since there seems a slight demand for it, or open it and run it for a few weeks and make the decision to list it or keep it and list the Mac. I am also wondering if the forum thinks the Quad will out perform the Mac or the Mac will out perform the Quad. I'm sure an opened, used item will suffer some depreciation just to satisfy some curiosity. I already tried to cancel the order weeks ago. Below is what the store wrote me back after many un-answered emails.

Hey C, 

Store owner here - we spoke initially, and when we talked, it was my expectation that Vendor XXX would ship this quickly and get it to you in a timely manner. What we did not understand was that there was some internal turmoil over the tariff situation and Vendor XXX paused all activities while they took stock of the situation. Thankfully, that has been resolved and I am expecting to receive the Preamp Monday or Tuesday, at which point we'll be overnighting it to you. It costs us a bit more, but we have several customers affected by this and ultimately we want everyone to be happy. 

I apologize for the delay, and we'll be getting you tracking as soon as we can.

Thanks, 

Store Owner (names withheld)

Still no Quad Preamp in my possession.

FWIW, I have owned both the Quad Artera Pre and the Mac C49. The C49 is better—more dynamic and refined. The C49’s onboard DAC is pretty good as you noted. However, as for pure transparency, I actually prefer the Topping A70Pro to the C49 for preamp function. If you place high value on transparency and detail, you owe it to yourself to try one of the Topping preamps or headphone amps (that can function as a pre). If “made-in-China” is something you avoid, try the Benchmark LA4, it was clearly superior to the C49 in my system. 
 

Another good American preamp is the Bel Canto Pre5. 

I think it will cost you some bucks. If you open it as opposed to selling  it as new.  If you like the Mac and are satisfied with it, I’m not sure I would do that, but obviously that’s your call. Also would think you are within your rights to cancel the order unless it was understood, there would be this sort of delay in delivery.

Thanks "helomech". All of your suggestions are now contenders. China products are great by me. I do like the fact that the Quad has a MC input. I hear a lot of good things about the Topping. 

As for canceling the Quad order. A few emails and phone calls yielded no return correspondence but when I asked to cancel the order, the previous posted answer was returned in minutes. So it's fair to say, no cancel, hence this post. I suppose I should inquire about a return policy. I'm sure there is a high restocking fee, so new unopened box sounds like the best option. But I do want to hear it too.

Conflicted again.

if they didn't reach out. I'd say put it up for sale @chippieboy 

I would keep the C49 and cancel the Quad order by working with your credit card company by opening a dispute. They usually get things resolved quickly the one time I had to go that path. If it has not shipped from the vendor you purchased it from, there should be no issue with canceling the order.

If for some reason you have to take possession, sell it as a new-in-box, sealed, and never opened. I am not sure how a warranty transfer would work in that situation.

As mentioned above, the Benchmark LA4 is a great preamp at a reasonable price. I regret selling mine. I was not a fan of its wonky touchscreen controls, preferring knobs and buttons.

Good luck