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McIntosh C49 Solid State Preamplifier

https://www.mcintoshlabs.com/products/new-products/C49

Quote:

Be prepared for future digital music technologies with the C49 Preamplifier. The C49 features our DA1 Digital Audio Module, which can be replaced by new modules as new digital audio technologies are developed. This will allow you to keep your C49 up to date with digital music formats and viable well into the future.

The C49 comes with a multitude of inputs. For analog, it has 2 balanced and 3 unbalanced, along with 2 phono inputs (comprised of 1 Moving Coil and 1 Moving Magnet) for connecting turntables. On the digital side, it has 6 inputs housed in the DA1 module. The inputs are: 2 coaxial, 2 optical, 1 USB and 1 proprietary MCT (for use with our MCT series of SACD/CD Transports). The DA1 is powered by an 8-channel, 32-bit Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) that is used in Quad Balanced mode; it supports up to DSD256 and DXD 384kHz for playback of high resolution audio. In total, the C49 has 13 inputs, and each can be given user-friendly names to simplify system setup and control.

https://www.mcintoshlabs.com/-/media...ackground.ashx

For connecting to your amplifier and the rest of your home audio system, the C49 has 2 balanced variable outputs, 2 unbalanced variable outputs, and 1 unbalanced fixed output. The outputs are designed for easy use when bi-amping your speakers so that neither your highs or lows are inadvertently turned off. Your audio sources can be fine tuned via the bass and treble tone controls. The C49 can be seamlessly integrated into your home theater system via Home Theater Pass Through. Power Control ports allow for the easy turn on/turn off of other connected McIntosh components, while the Data Ports can send remote control commands to connected source components. Our High Drive headphone amplifier with Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD®) is also included.

https://www.mcintoshlabs.com/-/media...-hero-usb.ashx

The C49 comes complete with classic McIntosh design staples such as a black glass front panel, knobs, an illuminated logo and aluminum end caps. Pair it with a variety of amplifiers, turntables, CD players, tuners, speakers, power controllers and room correction devices to make a complete home audio system. Contact your local dealer to learn more.

Let the DAC module discussion begin :lurk:

It's just a matter of time now before the C2600 and the C52 are replaced with units that have DA1 modules too.

McIntosh has to keep up w/the times, let's be real if they're not offering flexible digital solutions, especially at their price point, they'll have a harder time w/a younger market. I hope they'll always keep pure analog products in their line to some degree, I think the C70 is a good sign of that.

McIntosh C49 Solid State Preamplifier

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Originally Posted by Maks (Post 965634)

I agree but I’m not young. I don’t have room for a bunch of components so a preamp with an upgradable DAC that I can keep for the next 15 or more years is music to my ears. To be honest, I wish they would offer the ability to add a tuner module as well, basically a MAC7200 minus the amp.

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Originally Posted by Stahle (Post 965637)

I think they're giving us plenty of options right now, I've seen other people fly off the handle about the carbon fiber used on the 2152 signaling the end of the classic Mc look. If I was just buying Mc now I likely wouldn't mind the DAC in the 2600 (vs my 2300). In fact sometimes it's kind of a PITA to power up my DAC, change its input, change the 2300 to the DAC input and all that. I'm in my early 40's and still love using a tuner, I'm not sure how popular they are with younger people, although let's be honest a fresh out of school 22 year old is probably not looking at this gear just yet. Most of my friends I have that are huge music fans mostly use vinyl as their physical medium and streaming for digital, so I think Mc is going the right way personally. The MTI100 is the only product that really misses the mark for me.

I'm rambling, but I've seen so many "the sky is falling, Mc is losing touch" posts all over the Internet it seems like many are freaking out for no reason. Time moves on and people who bought new MR78s back in the day aren't going to be around forever.

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Originally Posted by brownbear (Post 965565)

Let the DAC module discussion begin :lurk:

Upgradeable modules make sense if they actually get upgraded. It would be awesome if McIntosh offered different DAC 'flavors' - for example a multi bit DAC as opposed to the ESS Sabre based DAC they use now.

Tom