D1100 or C52
 

Hello.

Need a preamp to manage a couple of amps (and zones). Had my eyes set on the D1100 but a recommendation of the C52 has placed it into focus...

Input wise, they both have more than enough for me, so my decision will be based more on the DAC and also any other detailed spec that each one might provide. (like the eq, but not a factor for the decision).

Has anyone had the chance to compare each? Side by side?

Main system will be a MC452/B&W803D2 combo connected. the second an outdoor setup.

If you are purely digital the D1100 should be the far better sounding solution.

D1100! Great DAC

Agree, if no analog inputs then the D1100 would be my choice.
However, the D1100 does not have HT pass through. So if making this part of an ht system in the future is important to you, you'll have to look elsewhere.
Also you mention zoning. While both have multiple outputs, you can only route a single input to these outputs, unlike the ht pre/pros that allow independent output selection.
Tom

I can speak with some authority here :) hahaha in ONLY the past year I've owned the C47, C2600 and now the D1100. Granted I also have paired the C1100 to the D1100 so its doing its own special sauce to the sound BUT the DAC is better...

If you don't need any analogue stuff like Vinyl or a streamer with analogue only inputs then the D1100 is the way to go.

I recently started to upgrade my system. I purchased the Mcintosh MC302 and a set of GE Triton 1's. I'm currently using my old NAD C160 preamp and looking to upgrade. I've been tossing the idea of the Macintosh C52 or the D1100 preamp. I'm also currently streaming music and really have no analogue devices to hook up other than an old BSR EQ-3000. I'm not sure what would provide the better sound quality of the 2 amps I'm looking at.

In my opinion, both would be pretty equal in sound quality. That is unless you believe the marketing hype behind the new quad balanced 8-channel DAC in the D1100. No doubt, it's a more technically advanced DAC, but how much better sound quality it provides is purely subjective. I would never buy a preamp just because of its DAC. Best to audition both if possible.

It would appear that the C52 has HT bypass (unlike the D1100). Does anyone know if McIntosh uses the same exact DAC in both units?

C52 + External DAC :thumbsup:

I understand your skepticism but the D1100 sounds fantastic, I’m using it as a DAC with my C2300. I was using a Mcintosh MCD500 prior to this which I was not unhappy with however I wanted to listen to DSD and high res. PCM. I was shocked how much better and bigger the sound stage was with D1100.