Conflicted with Preamps


This post is a spinoff of these past two postings.

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/preamp-with-variable-loudness-control-remote-control

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/preamp-options-under-3500

(not sure if I posted the links correctly, please advise)

I ordered a New style Quad 33 preamp end of February or beginning of March. As of May 1st. No ship date on the Quad. In the meantime, a good deal came up on a McIntosh C49 Preamp so I purchased it. I always wanted to try the Mac sound. I kind of like this thing. The DAC seems a bit better than the Denafrips and I also eliminated the Schiit DAC from the TV. Now the issue, the Quad will be arriving sometime in the future. Do I open it and audition it, hoping I will like it better that the Mac or do I leave it sealed in the box and post it for sale? I am curious of the soundbut it might bring a bit more $ unopened.

chippieboy

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.

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