Mcintosh pre amp pricing

 I've owned McIntosh gear since 1971. Have always paired with JBL speakers. I have gone thru many different models and configurations with few issues. Have four different systems in use at this time with three of the four powered by McIntosh. The other is a nostalgic reproduction of my first system I ever owned. When I power it on, I remember why McIntosh is my personal choice. The proliferation of audio brands gives all of us a choice. Not everybody appreciates the McIntosh sound, and that's OK, it's what makes the world go 'round.

Yeah, run away if a seller demands friends and family with PayPal. On the market, some people are proud of their stuff and demand close to MSRP, that’s when you skip buying used and buy new.  Eventually when people can’t sell it and they really want it gone they’ll lower the price, typically there’s equally other good gear out to close from aside from Macintosh to chose from.  

Thanks, I actually started going back to older and older pre amps and that's what got me frustrated- units that were 10-15 years old are still asking for 5k- when they listed for 5k a decade or more back. Fewer features, old switches and knobs, old technology etc. I ended up buying a newer (still current I think) c53 from Audio Classics with a warranty for $5500- new DAC, EQ, full featured. It validates my point about people asking the same money for units that are clearly much, much older, and that much closer to needing a service at some point. These older units are not "classics" either. In any event I'm happy with the C53 which is all that counts in my book !

With McIntosh gear, best to have a budget and then shop for what you can afford.  Consider some older models like C45 or C46?  You’re never going to find a piece at low price unless it’s damaged but even then, they are not cheap.   Guarantee once you own one, you’ll never settle for anything else. 

God Bless America and Capitalism. You can only receive what the market gives you . 

Thank you for the education on how selling/buying works, I hadn't thought of it that way. 

@speedthrills Put the shoe on the other foot. So let’s say you bought that Mc. And u wanted to sell it. Would u not look at the best prices you can sell it for or u would just sell it for 50% or so below retail value to be a nice guy or because it was an older model . U would get the most money you could by seeing what the others are selling or sold for. So why would u except anything else from someone. Think about that.

Congratulations indeed.  I bought new C53 to replace a 20+ year old C41 last month.  (The C41 is now sitting on my shelf, but my son is eyeing for when he gets a bigger apartment).  I have to say the C53 is a big sonic upgrade and the DA2 digital processor is a great addition too.  Enjoy!

Congratulations on the purchase. I have been eyeing the McIntosh brand for quite some time. Please follow up with your impressions of the unit. 

Thanks everyone, I bought a mint c53 from Audio Classics yesterday with a warranty and at a reasonable (for this unit) price. Looking forward to getting it friday and hooking it up to my 462.

I bought a new McIntosh integrated amp in March 2023 for about 10% off retail from my local dealer. There were three other used units for sale at the time on eBay and Audiogon that I considered. Two were priced at about 65-80% of new. The third was priced not far off of what I paid for my new unit. I watched the ads/auction of all three used ones even after I bought my new unit just to see how quickly the used units left the market.

The used one on eBay sold quickly and the other one on this website no longer appeared after a short time (I can only assume it sold since there was time/days left on the ad). The third unit is STILL for sale at its higher price, though a few hundred has come off the unit’s price since I looked at it nearly a year ago. Is that one then really "for sale" if it has not sold in 10 months?

So, the market always speaks.

@speedthrills - Keep watching and working on finding a C53; you will find one to your liking - it just takes a bit of time since there are not too many of these around at any one time. I have one and it’s a great preamp! Good luck!

Most people who buy Macintosh amplifiers and pre-amplifiers just keep them sitting on a shelf if they stop using them.

It’s a royal pain in the ass to sell used gear and new gear even if you have the old box. If you give it to a dealer as a trade-in you get a really miserable price so people just keep their gear not such a big deal for a lot of these people. 

Most people who buy Macintosh amplifiers and pre-amplifiers just keep them sitting on a shelf if they stop using them.

It's a royal pain in the ass to sell used gear and new gear even if you have the old box. If you give it to a dealer as a trade-in you get a really miserable price so people just keep their gear not such a big deal for a lot of these people. Estimate

Like a Rolex, Mac may be the cheapest audio product you can own. Buy what you want and relax. Prices aren’t going down. 

I bought my first McIntosh equipment two months ago.  A C220 preamp and an MC312 power amp.  Paid 70% of list for used items that looked new.  And If I decide to sell, I'll probably get that 70% back.  It's one of the reasons I went with McIntosh.  Great sound, superb industrial design, longevity, and the fact that McIntosh still supports 50-year-old equipment were the rest of the equation.

That’s part of buying a McIntosh. Among many other reasons, they will hold their value, even for you should you purchase one.  

@speedthrills  The flip side of that coin is a buyer who expects a  50% discount for an item that is 1 year old.  What is something worth?  Exactly what someone else is willing to pay and not a penny more.  Sometimes there's a meeting of the minds and other times you just walk away.  Commerce at its finest.  

Being the original owner of a C2200 and a MC7300 I can advise you to look for another brand if you are expecting "discounts" or for what you perceive as being overvalued.

Fair market value is determined by what a similarly motivated buyer and seller agree to- not by asking prices. 

I can sell my MC7270 and C220 the same price after 20yrs and 5yrs now.. just good quality and keeps their value.  Buy one, enjoy, if you need a change resell, and no value change.. Bulb burnt out twice on my MC7270 and replace tubes on C220 that is the money I put into.

So don’t buy it then

Considering Mac them selves had a special this past year trading in any older model for 75% of original retail. That's also keeping used prices up. MAC also have traditionally been one of the best manufacturers for holding resale value.

good thing is your buying into a brand that you can get your money out of when you sell down the road. 

@testpilot the price is what the market accepts.

And I sold my C2600 a few years ago for 95% of list via an eBay auction.  My lesson was McIntosh maintains there price because folks who like McIntosh  feel they are worth it.

 Shop with your feet ....

You adjust to the market conditions, the market does not adjust to your expectations.