C2300/C2500/ or c50.

[W9TR]

I've run my C2300 in passthru. The tubes stay on. Not to worry - very transparent preamp - sounds great as part of an HT setup.
Tom

[rushca01]

Just purchased the c2300 from audio classic....won’t be here till Monday

[Rojet2015]

[emoji106]

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by rushca01

Just purchased the c2300 from audio classic....won’t be here till Monday

rushca01.......You are assembling a very nice sound system. The MC401 and C2300 are a wonderful pairing. Don't forget how much we like photos.

[Bob Bubeck]

Originally Posted by jdandy

rushca01.......My advice would be avoid the McIntosh C2500. Many owners have been plagued with firmware and DAC issues from the beginning with this preamp. Sadly, McIntosh has not been quick to solve these issues. Although some owners of the C2500 preamplifier have not experienced any major issues, many others have had and are still experiencing operational problems. If you want a McIntosh preamplifier with an internal DAC, the C2600 has a considerably better track record for both firmware integrity and DAC performance. <snip>

Having had a C2500 in service for nearly three years, permit me to suggest that the above may suggest an overly negative picture. I have had no problems at all. I had Paragon Sight and Sound update the firmware to the latest version, not because of any problem, but to keep the piece up to date. Far from being a negative, the on board DAC sounds very good and is handy to have as an alternative at the touch of a remote. Its particular 'presentation' is a benefit with some RBCDs and it most certainly does not hurt anything sitting in the unit in reserve.

As is almost always the case, the postings from the few with issues out number those who are perfectly satisfied. Switching the modifiers "many" and "some" in the above might be more accurate.

Respectfully,

Bob

[jdandy]

Bob.......Glad to hear you are pleased with your McIntosh C2500. Lots of owners are. Some are not.

[miketuason]

Originally Posted by rushca01

Just purchased the c2300 from audio classic....won’t be here till Monday

Ok it’s Monday, any news?

[orosie]

You can see by my signature what I would recommend.

[Levitator]

Originally Posted by Bob Bubeck

Having had a C2500 in service for nearly three years, permit me to suggest that the above may suggest an overly negative picture. I have had no problems at all. I had Paragon Sight and Sound update the firmware to the latest version, not because of any problem, but to keep the piece up to date. Far from being a negative, the on board DAC sounds very good and is handy to have as an alternative at the touch of a remote. Its particular 'presentation' is a benefit with some RBCDs and it most certainly does not hurt anything sitting in the unit in reserve.

As is almost always the case, the postings from the few with issues out number those who are perfectly satisfied. Switching the modifiers "many" and "some" in the above might be more accurate.

Respectfully,

Bob

Same boat as you Bob - absolutely no issues with my C2500 for nearly two years.

[rushca01]

Yep! C2300 arrived this afternoon....had enough time to unbox and connect and play with for a minute before I had to kart my kids to gymnastics.

I have a node2 on order and these “schiit” DACs have peaked my interest as well as an upgrade from the node2 DAC