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Is My McIntosh C52 Pre-amp The Weak Link?

I currently stream music, from Qobuz, via an Aurender N10 streamer into a McIntosh C52 pre-amp for D/A conversion, analogue output, into a McIntosh MC312 power amp, driving Magico A5 speakers. SQ IMHO is outstanding/perfect, but, I am an audiophile, so there is no such thing as perfect! Time to upgrade something. It is my opinion the C52 built in DAC is the weak link in the system? Thinking of upgrading the Aurender N10 to an Aurender A20 (streamer with built in DAC) and feed the analogue output into the C52. Your thoughts please, have I correctly identified the weak link in the system?

mgattmch
jastralfu's avatar
jastralfu
359 posts
 

I was revisiting this today and thought that you could always purchase used from somewhere like The Music Room or Upscale Audio.  They have a great return policy so if you get something that doesn’t work well in your setup you can return it.  There’s no shortage of top level DACs you can choose from.  I’ve only had the DA1 and the Pontus II with a Hermes DDC so I can’t tell you what anything else sounds like.  If you let folks know what characteristics you’re looking for you’ll get plenty of recommendations.  Some of the names I see around here are Denafrips, Chord, PS Audio, Weiss, Mola-Mola, Lampizator.  There are many others I’m forgetting.  There are also R2R and DeltaSigma DACs and one may suit you more than the other.

jastralfu's avatar
jastralfu
359 posts
 

Separate DAC gives you much more flexibility.

chcumo63
21 posts
 

I just upgraded my MA8900 to the DA2 module and there is a marked difference.  Firmware update plus new and better chipset on the DA2 are superior to the DA1 module.  IMHO, larger soundstage, more detail and resolution and tighter, more defined low end.  Sure, separate DAC will give you more flexibility and maybe more resolution, but the DAC upgrade is around $1000.00 plus install fees so not a bad deal for a lot of improvement.

mgattmch OP
570 posts
 

Thanks chcumo63. sound like a good low cost upgrade, will explore. Certainly less expensive than going from a C52 to a C53.

mhwilliford
30 posts
 

I can vouch for the DA2 as well.  I am targeting a separate DAC down the road, but the DA2 is really very nice in the meantime.  Make sure it implements the latest firmware and you will see a definite difference compared to the DA1.  That said, I am frustrated with McIntosh in that we have had the DA2 for what, 3 or 4 years at least and there is no DA3 that would be comparable or based on their latest products (MCD12000).  A DA3 that kept up with the latest in high-performing delta-sigma dacs (see T+A DAC200) would be super-desirable for me as a C2700 user, since I do enjoy keeping remote control confusion to a minimum and also keeping things useable for my wife.

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