C2500 and Another DAC, or Just Go With A D1100?

[John Clark]

My budget can handle a nice, used C2500 preamp, and a good DAC, or, the D1100 which would be used as both preamp and DAC. Which would result in the best overall sound quality?

I believe most people here in the forum with D1100's are using them with separate preamps. There has been little to no discussion that I've seen which comments on it being used as both preamp and DAC.

I particularly enjoy the golden midrange and tonal richness of the classic McIntosh sound.

Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.


John

[mati1979]

C2300 + dac

[SAPHANA]

Originally Posted by mati1979

C2300 + dac

+1
If another DAC is in the plan anyways, why pay more for the dac in c2500

[Charles]

If your system will work with a D1100, it is a significantly newer product than the 2500 which is an older tube preamp. It has Mac's best DAC and is dual mono with two separate power supplies. It is a reference piece. The 2500 is not.

[1KW]

I’m using a C2300 with a D1100 as my DAC because I still listen to vinyl. The D1100 would be fine as your pre amp if you only listen to digital

[John Jordan]

John-

The D1100 DAC is certainly "better" than the DAC in the 2500. That said, I've used a 2500 for three + years and have been happy with it and its DAC. The USB input can be finicky but the latest firmware, 1.03 has eliminated most of that. My listening is CD's and ripped CD's through an Apple laptop no "Hi-Rez" or other formats.

1KW makes a good point of your specific needs. From there, do you prefer the sound of tubes or solid state? If you prefer tubes and the DAC of the 2500 will not support your desired playback modes, it's probably best to consider a 2300 or the C-22 with an external DAC.

Remember, it's all in the listen. Auditioning a C 2600 back to back with a D1100 would help you narrow this decision.

[John Clark]

First of all, the D1100 can meet my needs, no phono or analog sources.

However, I am, first and foremost, a guy who loves tubes when done right.

I recently read a review in What Hi-Fi of the 2500, and amongst other things, they said:

"It’s huge, spreading the sound stage well beyond the outer edges of our reference ATC SCM 50 speakers.

The preamp has a large scale, authoritative presentation that also demonstrates lovely delicacy when required.

The McIntosh’s overall tone is on the rich side of neutral, but never seems overly rounded at higher frequencies. There’s plenty of bite in the treble but a pleasing refinement too, which stops the preamp getting unnecessarily hard-edged even when the recording is.

Playing alt-J’s Dissolve Me (from our Naim NDS/555ps streamer through the analogue inputs) shows off the McIntosh’s lovely, full-bodied midrange, and its ability to keep the music’s rhythmic elements in place.

the preamp delivers a sound with lots of space, with real sparkle to the cymbals and plenty of punch to the drums. The rhythmic elements are nicely delivered but most of all the slightly rich tonality gives the sound a really appealing solidity.

There’s a pleasant warmth to the presentation and an easy-going attitude that makes the C2500 a very tempting long-term proposition."

That describes the sound I am looking for. If the 2300 will provide me with it, I can skip the 2500 (which a fair number of comments in this forum would seem to indicate has some reliability issues).


John

[leftside]

Originally Posted by 1KW

I’m using a C2300 with a D1100 as my DAC because I still listen to vinyl. The D1100 would be fine as your pre amp if you only listen to digital

+1

[leftside]

If you are looking for a tube DAC there are other options. I like Lampizator.

[John Clark]

Originally Posted by leftside

If you are looking for a tube DAC there are other options. I like Lampizator.

Agreed on the Lampizators. Now to nail down the right Mac preamp. As I noted above, if a 2300 matches or exceeds the sound characteristics I quoted from the recent 2500 review, I'm ready to go 2300.

John