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McIntosh C52 to C53?

I recently posted a discussion on the weak link in my system:

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/is-my-mcintosh-c52-pre-amp-the-weak-link

The general consensus of opinion was; the DAC in my McIntosh C52 pre-amp/DAC. So what do I do, upgrade the Aurender N10 streamer to an A20 (streamer with built in DAC), use a stand alone DAC or something else? Based on reviews I am hearing great things about the new DAC (DA2) used in the C53 pre-amp/DAC. Anyone upgraded from a C52 to C53 and noticed a significant improvement in DAC SQ?

mgattmch

Showing 1 response by glennewdick

glennewdick's avatar
glennewdick
1,526 posts
 

I had an Aurender A10 with the built in DAC and it was not as good as the built in DAC in my Mac C2700 ( DAC2 board) in my opinion anyway. The Aurender DAC was dry and rather boring sounding, the only thing I found it exceled at was it had a very low noise floor. The MAC DAC 2 board is really good for the money, but most DAC's above $2500 will out perform it. You can put a DAC2 board in your current C53 I believe. The HDMI ARC connection is great if you have a TV in the same room so that may be a factor. 

That said I got a Chord TT2 to try and it blew the DAC2 board away in all regards, I now have a Chord Dave i got used and its even better.

So a DAC is probably the best way to go IMO. 

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