AudioAficionado.org  

Go Back   AudioAficionado.org > Manufacturers Forums > McIntosh Audio

McIntosh Audio A Tradition of Excellence

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #191  
Old 02-08-2017, 01:07 PM
leftside's Avatar
leftside leftside is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 237
Default

Which had the better DAC? The MCD550 or the C52?
__________________
Turntable: VPI Prime Signature Cart: Benz Micro LP-S DAC: Lampizator Golden Atlantic Preamp: Mac C500T, Mac MX121 Amps: Mac MC75 * 2 60th Anniv., Mac MC205 Speakers: Dynaudio C1 Platinum, B&W 804S, Totems Headphone amp: Glenn 300B Headphones: LCD-4
Reply With Quote
  #192  
Old 02-08-2017, 06:15 PM
Capitalcityguy Capitalcityguy is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 77
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Andrew Zakon View Post
Good day to all

I am also using Mcintosh C52 in my 2ch/HT setup based on 2 Macintosh MC-601 power amps, Mcintosh MC152 for zone B, Mcintosh C205, player OPPO 105D, B&W 802D, 805Dspeakers (see photo in attachment). Transport is MacMini connected to C52 by Curious USB cable. Waiting for upgrade in a week by Uptone Regen and JS-2 Linear Power Supply.
The software I use is Roon. And I faced a problem with Roon 1.1 and C52 with herable electric clicks when manually switching between songs. But after I updated to Roon 1.2 problem disappeared.
Before C52 I had Classe Sigma SSP. It is not correct to compare a preamp and sound processor. But both offer digital music through the USB and have balanced connectors for stereo. What can I say Mcintosh is sounds 10 times better.


great looking system, what is you racking?
Reply With Quote
  #193  
Old 02-09-2017, 09:20 AM
Questortapes74's Avatar
Questortapes74 Questortapes74 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Huntsville Alabama
Posts: 767
Default

Thanks Hector and you to enjoy your system.

Leftside, I found the MCD550 to have a warmer presentation and the C52 DAC to be on the analytical side and a slightly forward presentation.

Regards
__________________
"And I may just waste away from doing nothing" --- Steven Wilson
Reply With Quote
  #194  
Old 02-13-2017, 01:53 AM
Andrew Zakon's Avatar
Andrew Zakon Andrew Zakon is offline
Member
 
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 65
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Capitalcityguy View Post
great looking system, what is you racking?
Racks are Spectral



.
.
.
.
.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg image-273114301.jpg (45.5 KB, 341 views)
__________________
Analog: McIntosh MT10 with SME V tonearm and Van den Hull Colibri XGP Gold MC cartridge which is paired with McIntosh MP1100 phonopreamp;
Digital:modified Mac mini as Roon server with Uptone JS-2 Linear Power Supply which is connected to Berkeley Audio Design Alpha USB with Curious USB cable and then by Transparent Audio 110ohm Premium AES/EBU cable to Berkeley Audio Design Alpha DAC Reference series 2;
BD/SACD/CD player OPPO 205 (which also works as home theatre processor),
Preamp:Dan D’Agostino Progression preamp,
Amplifiers: 2 Dan D’Agostino Progression monoblock power amps,
Speakers: Wilson Audio Alexx,
Power unit: Nordost QBase Qb8 Mark II, QKore 6 earth unit
Audio Cables: Transparent Audio G5 Reference SC and balanced IC, the rest are all G5 Ultra
Power Cables: OMVLabs, Nordost

Last edited by jdandy; 02-16-2017 at 05:54 PM. Reason: enlarge photo
Reply With Quote
  #195  
Old 02-13-2017, 04:47 PM
bruno2009 bruno2009 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 389
Default

For a streaming solution - has anyone compared the integrated DAC against the DACs of the streamers/networkplayers? Say a Linn Majik or similar in terms of quality. Is it worth investing more into a better networkplayer because of a better DAC or will the C52 do the job just as fine so that you can hook up any capable networkplayer?
__________________
Christoph
Reply With Quote
  #196  
Old 02-14-2018, 12:12 PM
CDawg1 CDawg1 is offline
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 6
Default

I have a Sonos which has an internal DAC but run the Sonos through my C52...Sounds fantastic !
Reply With Quote
  #197  
Old 04-16-2018, 02:03 AM
newbie78 newbie78 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 53
Default

Finally got my c52, I love it. It's paired with a mc 452 power amp. A few questions. I have to turn the knob up from in between 60 and 70 for quite a few songs to get the songs to play at a loud level. Is this normal? When you have yours cranked are you often in the 59 to 70 range depending on source material?

I'd like to ask the owners of this fine pre-power-amp combo if your using balanced or unbalanced interconnects between pre amp and power amp. I know the c 52 is not balanced. I'm pretty sure the mc 452 it completely balanced. Which is the best way to go? A huge thank you to anyone who can help me out here. Thank you Friends.

Mikey
Reply With Quote
  #198  
Old 04-16-2018, 08:16 AM
crwilli's Avatar
crwilli crwilli is online now
Racing Hoopties

 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Bluffton SC
Posts: 9,768
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by newbie78 View Post
Finally got my c52, I love it. It's paired with a mc 452 power amp. A few questions. I have to turn the knob up from in between 60 and 70 for quite a few songs to get the songs to play at a loud level. Is this normal? When you have yours cranked are you often in the 59 to 70 range depending on source material?



I'd like to ask the owners of this fine pre-power-amp combo if your using balanced or unbalanced interconnects between pre amp and power amp. I know the c 52 is not balanced. I'm pretty sure the mc 452 it completely balanced. Which is the best way to go? A huge thank you to anyone who can help me out here. Thank you Friends.



Mikey


What speakers are you using and what is their sensitivity?

What source are you using? If a turntable, are you sure you have it connected to the correct input for your cartridge? Eg MC or MM?

Do you have to use this volume level on all sources?

While I don’t own a C52, I have experience with other McPreamps and a MC452. Even driving a set of Infinity Betas with 88/89db sensitivity, I never had a volume control over 50 without bleeding ears.

Does the C52 allow you to trim the input levels on each source? What is your source set at?
__________________
Main Equipment: Kharma Elegance dB11-S, JL Audio F113v2 X 2, Block Audio Line & Mono SE Amplification, Bricasti M21 DAC, Antipodes Kala K-50 Server
Power: Shunyata Everest 8000, Sigma XC v2, Sigma NR v2, Block Audio PCs, Defender, ADDPowr Wizard
Grounding: Shunyata Altaira CGS - 4 X Alpha CGS cables,
Network : Supra Cat 8+, Twin (Nenon) Modified Buffalo GS2016 Switches, Keces P3 LPSU,
Cables: Wireworld Platinum 8 USB, Wireworld Platinum Eclipse 8 Speaker cables, 6M & 1M Tubulus Concentus ICs,
Other: Multiple GIK products, Stillpoint Apertures, Stillpoint Minis and Ultra SS, Three 20 Amp lines, Furutech GTX - Gold outlets, Adona Rack
Reply With Quote
  #199  
Old 04-16-2018, 01:42 PM
newbie78 newbie78 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 53
Default High volume

Willi , I own the dynaudio excite 44 floor standing speakers, with 88/89db sensitivity. And yes, I have to use that volume on all sources. cd player, media streamer, etc.. I don't listen to vinyl. As far as trim levels, they all are at factory pre settings, I haven't messed around with those yet . I 'll look in to it. I always have tone controls shut off when listening. Wow, so 50 would bring the noise for you eh? Amazing, 50 for me on all sources would be moderate volume. say mediumish. Not loud , not quiet, in the middle, dang. Im using Silver Streak (Pair) Kimber Kable length 2.0 meter non balanced interconnects between pre and power amp.
Reply With Quote
  #200  
Old 04-16-2018, 03:53 PM
bruno2009 bruno2009 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 389
Default McIntosh C52 Preamplifier Review

I have 802 Diamonds with 90db sensitivity (I believe)... with a Vinyl output signal of 66db I turn the C52 to 35 % to get loud(ish) - Meters somewhere between -20 and -30... CD pretty much same (maybe a little quieter depending on recording - think the output signal is a little weaker). I measure somewhere between 80 and 90 dB @ my listening seat... Pretty much depends on the output settings of the source... CD Input and c52 at 70 - 80% should be loud though... Meters running high....
__________________
Christoph
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Audioaficionado.org tested by Norton Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:18 PM.



Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.10
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
©Copyright 2009-2023 AudioAficionado.org.Privately owned, All Rights Reserved.
Audio Aficionado Sponsors
AudioAficionado Subscriber
AudioAficionado Subscriber
Inspire By Dennis Had
Inspire By Dennis Had
Harmonic Resolution Systems
Harmonic Resolution Systems
Wyred4Sound
Wyred4Sound
Dragonfire Acoustics
Dragonfire Acoustics
GIK Acoustics
GIK Acoustics
Esoteric
Esoteric
AC Infinity
AC Infinity
JL Audio
JL Audio
Add Powr
Add Powr
Accuphase - Soulution
Accuphase - Soulution
Audio by E
Audio by E
Canton
Canton
Bryston
Bryston
WireWorld Cables
WireWorld Cables
Stillpoints
Stillpoints
Bricasti Design
Bricasti Design
Furutech
Furutech
Shunyata Research
Shunyata Research
Legend Audio & Video
Legend Audio & Video