Why not a C500 instead of a C1000

[vintage_tube]

Just throwing this out for comments.

There are many who have went or upgraded to the C1000 preamp stack (tube or SS or both). The question I have concerns itself primarilly with a 2 stack 1000 setup and not the 3 stack. In a 3 stack configuration, the controller is utilized to the utmost & less so, in a 2 stack. Therefore, alot of the cost of a C1000C goes into it's ability to support tubes & SS at the same time (i.e., 4 power suppies in the C1000C verses 2 in the C500 controller).

Spec's between the 1000 & 500 are generally, if not identical, they are fully balanced, etc., even though the appearance between the two is cosmetically different.

So, in a 2 stack arrangment, I'll go out on a limb and say that the C500 stack should sound very close or as good as a C1000.

Having said this, the question I have is -- why wasn't the C500 selected?

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by vintage_tube

Just throwing this out for comments.

There are many who have went or upgraded to the C1000 preamp stack (tube or SS or both). The question I have concerns itself primarilly with a 2 stack 1000 setup and not the 3 stack. In a 3 stack configuration, the controller is utilized to the utmost & less so, in a 2 stack. Therefore, alot of the cost of a C1000C goes into it's ability to support tubes & SS at the same time (i.e., 4 power suppies in the C1000C verses 2 in the C500 controller).

Spec's between the 1000 & 500 are generally, if not identical, they are fully balanced, etc., even though the appearance between the two is cosmetically different.

So, in a 2 stack arrangment, I'll go out on a limb and say that the C500 stack should sound very close or as good as a C1000.

Having said this, the question I have is -- why wasn't the C500 selected?

For me it was the 3D front along with the great deal I received from my dealer on a new unit.

[PHC1]

I wondered the same thing and based on my research I selected the C500. Having said that, the price bracket it falls into offers very stiff competion from other brands.

[vintage_tube]

Originally Posted by Stillone

For me it was the 3D front along with the great deal I received from my dealer on a new unit.

The latter is quite important indeed.

Originally Posted by PHC1

I wondered the same thing and based on my research I selected the C500. Having said that, the price bracket it falls into offers very stiff competion from other brands.

Yes sir, in that price range there are quite a few respectable units & had been toying with straying off the McIntosh map myself.


Still curious why the C500 appears to lag behind sales of a C1000 two box unit -- seems to me the C500 set is the "sleeper" of the two.

[Supercronopio]

So, what you're really asking is should you upgrade to the 500 or the 1000?

If you can afford the C1000 and buy the C500, I think you will regret it. Not because of the sound, which is wonderful and worth every penny. You will regret it because the C1000 is absolutely stunning to look at, and you will probably think about what it would be like to switch between tube and solid state. I know I do.

I've had the C500 for almost 2 years and still love it (I jumped from a C220)
. It was simply the best upgrade I've ever done. It was as if I upgraded my source components from sub $1k to $5K, which is to say, had I spent that much on an upgrade, I would have been quite satisfied.

[jdandy]

Bob.......When the C1000P and the C500P are viewed from a specs stand point, the numbers are equal across the board. When considered for their differences there are quite a few. The first, and most obvious difference is the C1000 has the 3-D glass face plate, and the larger anodized aluminum end caps. The C1000P has the solid aluminum top plate with the name McIntosh cut out and backed with a gold trimmed metal plate. Those two cosmetic designs alone make the C1000C/P/T an absolute knock out to look at, and very desirable.

The C1000 has four balanced inputs to the C500's three. The C1000 uses military grade knurled and threaded amphenol connectors on custom made cables that connect both the solid state and tube preamps to the controller. The C500 uses generic D-shell type connectors for preamp to controller connection. The C1000C controller is cabable of providing robust power and switching controls for both the C1000P and the C1000T simultaneously, where the C500C only supports one preamp, the C500P or the C500T. Both meters inside the C1000P and C1000T are shielded. Inside the C500P and C500T they are not. And of course there is the gorgeous black and gold metal remote control, and leather bound owners manual that only comes with the C1000, as well as some additional balanced Y connector harnesses that allow a single input cable to feed both the C1000P and C1000T at the same time.

Not being an electronics engineer, I cannot speak for the circuit designs, or circuit board topology differences between the C500 and the C1000, but I have seen color photos of the inside of the C500P and the C1000P, and the circuit board parts density is greater inside the C1000P. I have to believe those additional components are providing great benefit to the signal output.

The $8K difference between the C500C/P and the C1000C/P is substantial. Having never put the C500P head to head with the C1000P I cannot speak of audible difference, but as outlined above there are quite a few differences between the preamps. Another difference yet discussed is prestige. When you walk up to the C1000C/P and touch the controls, you know you are handling the McIntosh flagship preamp, widely respected worldwide by many as the best preamp in the world. The C1000 commands position in people's minds. There is nothing quite like owning McIntosh's very best.

You understand what owning the very best is all about. You have the pleasure of owning those two incredible MC2301 tube amps. That is McIntosh flagship product, too, and none finer in my humble opinion.

Ultimately it boils down to what you want, and what you deem is a fair value for your desire to be satisfied. In each catagory McIntosh has only one top contender. Everything else is a rung or two down the ladder, and though that's not a bad thing when we are talking about McIntosh, it still isn't the gold.





Inside my C1000P

[TommyC]

Not to hijack the thread, but what does the 3D front panel look like? My dealer never have any reference gear, I was not able to see this cool 3D look many of you are talking about.

['cisco]

Here ya go TommyC.....a few pics of my C1000 combo....just kidding guys ,,,,I don't own them, just wishful thinking

[howiebrou]

To my ears, there is a big jump from the C1000 to C500. If you are not going to buy the 3 box C1000 first then the price differential is not that great which makes the C500 seem a more expensive proposition long term.

To me the C500 is a tad overpriced. 9-10K would make it more attractive and leave quite a gap with the C1000 series.

[TommyC]

Originally Posted by 'cisco

Here ya go TommyC.....a few pics of my C1000 combo....just kidding guys ,,,,I don't own them, just wishful thinking

Thanks for the drool-worthy pictures 'cisco, but I don't see the "3D" thing . I think the pictures are not able to show this off? Is the green McIntosh logo supposed to look three dimensional?