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Old 11-24-2009, 11:39 AM
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Default difference between C-42 and C-46?

Besides fiber-optic lighting what else is different between the two?

C-42





C-46



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~Your pet is your best investment~

Preamps/tuners:McIntosh C50, C46, MR88, MR73, C2200, C22ce, Cary SPL-98L
Integrate amps:McIntosh MA6100, Denon PMA2000ivr
Amps: McIntosh Mc602, Mc2000, Mc275 MK-V, Cary 805ae mono blocks.
Speakers: JMLab Mezzo Utopia, Focal Twin6 BE, Tannoy Mini Autograph
Headphones: Sennheiser HD800, Beyer T1, Denon D7000, Grado RS1i, Sony MDR-SA5000, MDR-Z1000, AKG K701, and many many more
Digital Sources:Sony SCD-1 & SCD777es, CDP-XA7es, 2010 Mac Mini Music Server, Amarra Mini player, Musical Fidelity V-Link & M1 DAC, Apogee Mini-DAC & Duet 2

Last edited by Dj_AmTraX; 11-24-2009 at 11:45 AM.
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Old 11-24-2009, 11:45 AM
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Is the C42 still in production? I don't remember seeing it before.
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  #3  
Old 11-24-2009, 11:47 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by es347 View Post
Is the C42 still in production? I don't remember seeing it before.
No, but the used market is priced well.
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~Your pet is your best investment~

Preamps/tuners:McIntosh C50, C46, MR88, MR73, C2200, C22ce, Cary SPL-98L
Integrate amps:McIntosh MA6100, Denon PMA2000ivr
Amps: McIntosh Mc602, Mc2000, Mc275 MK-V, Cary 805ae mono blocks.
Speakers: JMLab Mezzo Utopia, Focal Twin6 BE, Tannoy Mini Autograph
Headphones: Sennheiser HD800, Beyer T1, Denon D7000, Grado RS1i, Sony MDR-SA5000, MDR-Z1000, AKG K701, and many many more
Digital Sources:Sony SCD-1 & SCD777es, CDP-XA7es, 2010 Mac Mini Music Server, Amarra Mini player, Musical Fidelity V-Link & M1 DAC, Apogee Mini-DAC & Duet 2
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Old 11-24-2009, 12:10 PM
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DJ.......I owned the C42 for a while, and liked it very much. One of the biggest differences between the C42 and the C46 is the volume control. The C42 was McIntosh's first attempt at photo-optical software controlled volume. On the C42 the software did not have the traditional audio taper to the volume control as did later model preamps. The C42 volume rise was linear from silence to wide open. The software was changed after the C42 to the more traditional audio taper, where volume rises slowly until about 11:00 o'clock, then more rapidly after that. Also, the C42 digital display window showed volume as a percentage or decibels, changed from a switch on the front panel. The C46 displays volume as a percentage only. The headphone jack was relocated to the center of the face on the C46.

The C46 has a switch for tone bypass, the C42 does not. The eight EQ controls were relocated and grouped together on the C46, but the EQ curves remained the same as the C42 for each rotory EQ knob. You mentioned the fiber optic lighting on the C46. Also, the C46 is 19 inches deep, where the C42 was 17.5 inches deep. The C46 weighs 26 lbs., where the C42 weighs 25.5 lbs. The published electrical specifications are identical between both preamps. There was a $1300.00 difference in retail price. The C42 sold for $3500.00, while the C46 sold for $4800.00.

That's all the differences I know about between the C42 and the C46.
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STUDIO - McIntosh C1000C/P, MC2301 (2), MR88, Aurender N10, Esoteric K-01X, Shunyata Sigma spdif digital cable, Sonos Connect, PurePower 2000, Stillpoints, Furutech Flux 50, Michell Gyro SE, Michell HR Power Supply, SME 309, Ortofon Cadenza Black, Wireworld, Sonus faber Amati Anniversario
LIVING ROOM - McIntosh C2300, MC75 (2), MR85, Magnum Dynalab 205, Simaudio MOON Neo 260D-T, Schiit Audio Yggdrasil, Aurender N100H, Shunyata Sigma USB cable, Micro Seiki DD40, Ortofon Cadenza Blue, Nakamichi BX-300, Sony 60ES DAT, PS Audio P10, Furutech Flux 50, Sonos Connect, Stillpoints, Wireworld, Kimber, PMC EB1i, JL Audio f113
VINTAGE - McIntosh MA230, Tandberg 3011A tuner, Olive 04HD, Sony DTC-59ES DAT, McIntosh 4300V, JBL 4312A
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  #5  
Old 11-24-2009, 12:39 PM
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Thank you Dan for the info. Is the volume control change worth the huge price difference? I can get a C-42 under $2k, but the C-46 is over doubled (list). I really don't care about the display, optical lighting or the EQ layout.
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Mike
~Your pet is your best investment~

Preamps/tuners:McIntosh C50, C46, MR88, MR73, C2200, C22ce, Cary SPL-98L
Integrate amps:McIntosh MA6100, Denon PMA2000ivr
Amps: McIntosh Mc602, Mc2000, Mc275 MK-V, Cary 805ae mono blocks.
Speakers: JMLab Mezzo Utopia, Focal Twin6 BE, Tannoy Mini Autograph
Headphones: Sennheiser HD800, Beyer T1, Denon D7000, Grado RS1i, Sony MDR-SA5000, MDR-Z1000, AKG K701, and many many more
Digital Sources:Sony SCD-1 & SCD777es, CDP-XA7es, 2010 Mac Mini Music Server, Amarra Mini player, Musical Fidelity V-Link & M1 DAC, Apogee Mini-DAC & Duet 2
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  #6  
Old 11-24-2009, 01:41 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jdandy View Post
DJ.......I owned the C42 for a while, and liked it very much. One of the biggest differences between the C42 and the C46 is the volume control. The C42 was McIntosh's first attempt at photo-optical software controlled volume. On the C42 the software did not have the traditional audio taper to the volume control as did later model preamps. The C42 volume rise was linear from silence to wide open. The software was changed after the C42 to the more traditional audio taper, where volume rises slowly until about 11:00 o'clock, then more rapidly after that. Also, the C42 digital display window showed volume as a percentage or decibels, changed from a switch on the front panel. The C46 displays volume as a percentage only. The headphone jack was relocated to the center of the face on the C46.

The C46 has a switch for tone bypass, the C42 does not. The eight EQ controls were relocated and grouped together on the C46, but the EQ curves remained the same as the C42 for each rotory EQ knob. You mentioned the fiber optic lighting on the C46. Also, the C46 is 19 inches deep, where the C42 was 17.5 inches deep. The C46 weighs 26 lbs., where the C42 weighs 25.5 lbs. The published electrical specifications are identical between both preamps. There was a $1300.00 difference in retail price. The C42 sold for $3500.00, while the C46 sold for $4800.00.

That's all the differences I know about between the C42 and the C46.
Come on Dan, you can do better than that...don't you have any real detail?
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  #7  
Old 11-24-2009, 02:02 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jdandy View Post
The C42 sold for $3500.00, while the C46 sold for $4800.00.
Dan...The C42 was a beauty, and I was impressed when I auditioned it. I didn't care for the fact that its eq did not offer a 10K control, however. (I have the same complaint with the C46). Overall, however, the C42 is a very nice preamp. Also interesting that it was priced at $3500, which is what I paid for my C40. However, the omission of the monitor amp in the C42 may have helped in keeping the price the same as the C40.

I still love my C40, after 13 years.

Pete
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Main System: VPI Prime Signature TT in Rosewood, Ortofon Cadenza Black, Stillpoints LP1 V2, McIntosh: MP100, MR78, MCD1000 Transport on Stillpoint Ultra Minis, MDA1000 D/A Converter on Stillpoint Ultra Minis, MS750 Music Server, C40, MC501's (3), Soundcraftsmen: DC2215 Eq/AS1000 Real time analyzer, DBX 3BX II, Carver C9, Nakamichi Dragon, Crown SX724, Crown D-75A (as headphone amp), Sony XBR55X900E 4K TV, JBL L220A's, JBL B460, Sumo Delilah active crossover, WireWorld Silver Eclipse audio interconnects, WireWorld Starlight and Silver Starlight Coaxial Digital interconnects, Wireworld SuperNova 7 Toslink digital interconnect, WireWorld Aurora 7 and Silver Electra Power cords, Wireworld Silver Eclipse 8 speaker cables, Terk AF-1 Powered Antenna, Oppo UDP-205 4K Blu-Ray Player, Bryson BUC-1 USB Converter, Wireworld Gold Starlight XLR Digital interconnect, PS Audio Direct Stream Power Plant 12 on Stillpoint Ultra Minis, PS Audio Dectect, FuruTech Flux-50 NCF Inline Power Filter, Add-Powr Wizard EM Field AC Line conditioner; Stillpoint Ultra SS's under (3) McIntosh MC501 Amplifiers

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Master Bedroom System: McIntosh: MX120 Theater processor, MC206 6-channel amplifier; MR74 AM/FM Tuner, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, JVC HM-DH40000U D-Theater Digital VHS, Phase Technology PC80 Towers (now used as stands), (2) JBL 4401's, (1) JBL Studio 6IW speaker, (2) JBL Studio 6IC speakers, Sony XBR-49X900E UHD TV, Panamax 1000 Line Conditioner, (2) JL Audio E110 Subwoofers, Wireworld Solstice speaker cables, Wireworld Aurora Power cords, Wireworld Equinox and Solstice speaker cables and various other flavors of Wireworld and Audioquest cabling

Office System: Marantz 150 Tuner, Crown DL 2, Crown EQ 2, Crown SA 2, Crown D-75A (as headphone amp), McIntosh MCD7009 (as transport), DBX 3BX Series II, Oppo BDP-103 Blu-ray player, JBL 4401's, JL Audio E112 Subwoofer, Samsung 5500 series 32" Smart TV, Wire World Oasis audio interconnects, Wire World Solstice speaker cables, Wyred for Sound DAC-2 DSDse Digital to Analog converter, Wireworld Starlight Coaxial Digital Interconnect, Sennheiser HD800 Headphones, Sennheiser HDVA600 Headphone amp, Wireworld Silver Eclipse Balanced Interconnects, Wireworld Platinum Starlight USB Cable, Add-Powr EAU-2 AC Harmonic resonator

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Old 11-24-2009, 02:29 PM
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DJ.......The audio taper is something to get use to, but not objectionable. The volume works perfectly, it's just that because it is linear it feel likes you are havig to turn it up more than you are use to with a standard audio taper volume control to get to a particular volume level. Once you get use to that, everything is good. The C42 is a fine preamp. If you can score one in good condition, grab it, and save the money.
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STUDIO - McIntosh C1000C/P, MC2301 (2), MR88, Aurender N10, Esoteric K-01X, Shunyata Sigma spdif digital cable, Sonos Connect, PurePower 2000, Stillpoints, Furutech Flux 50, Michell Gyro SE, Michell HR Power Supply, SME 309, Ortofon Cadenza Black, Wireworld, Sonus faber Amati Anniversario
LIVING ROOM - McIntosh C2300, MC75 (2), MR85, Magnum Dynalab 205, Simaudio MOON Neo 260D-T, Schiit Audio Yggdrasil, Aurender N100H, Shunyata Sigma USB cable, Micro Seiki DD40, Ortofon Cadenza Blue, Nakamichi BX-300, Sony 60ES DAT, PS Audio P10, Furutech Flux 50, Sonos Connect, Stillpoints, Wireworld, Kimber, PMC EB1i, JL Audio f113
VINTAGE - McIntosh MA230, Tandberg 3011A tuner, Olive 04HD, Sony DTC-59ES DAT, McIntosh 4300V, JBL 4312A
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  #9  
Old 11-24-2009, 02:32 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by es347 View Post
Come on Dan, you can do better than that...don't you have any real detail?
Gavin.......I know it was a feeble attempt to answer DJ's question. I'll do better next time.
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STUDIO - McIntosh C1000C/P, MC2301 (2), MR88, Aurender N10, Esoteric K-01X, Shunyata Sigma spdif digital cable, Sonos Connect, PurePower 2000, Stillpoints, Furutech Flux 50, Michell Gyro SE, Michell HR Power Supply, SME 309, Ortofon Cadenza Black, Wireworld, Sonus faber Amati Anniversario
LIVING ROOM - McIntosh C2300, MC75 (2), MR85, Magnum Dynalab 205, Simaudio MOON Neo 260D-T, Schiit Audio Yggdrasil, Aurender N100H, Shunyata Sigma USB cable, Micro Seiki DD40, Ortofon Cadenza Blue, Nakamichi BX-300, Sony 60ES DAT, PS Audio P10, Furutech Flux 50, Sonos Connect, Stillpoints, Wireworld, Kimber, PMC EB1i, JL Audio f113
VINTAGE - McIntosh MA230, Tandberg 3011A tuner, Olive 04HD, Sony DTC-59ES DAT, McIntosh 4300V, JBL 4312A
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  #10  
Old 11-24-2009, 02:45 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vintage Pete View Post
Dan...The C42 was a beauty, and I was impressed when I auditioned it. I didn't care for the fact that its eq did not offer a 10K control, however. (I have the same complaint with the C46). Overall, however, the C42 is a very nice preamp. Also interesting that it was priced at $3500, which is what I paid for my C40. However, the omission of the monitor amp in the C42 may have helped in keeping the price the same as the C40.

I still love my C40, after 13 years.

Pete
Pete.......I completely understand the love affair with the C40. That preamp has all the great traditional McIntosh features that they have gotten away from in their newer models. The five band EQ with the top control at 10kHz is very useful, plus variable loudnes control, a built in 20w x 2 power amp with Power Guard for external monitors, and the headphones, the Compander circuit, Mode control switching for control of left and right channel outputs, a beautiful front panel layout, and specifications that rival the current line of preamps. The C40 is a true jewel in the McIntosh preamplifier lineup. Everytime I see a photo of the C40 I get a little tug on my heart. I lived with my C40 for 13 years, too.


__________________
Dan



STUDIO - McIntosh C1000C/P, MC2301 (2), MR88, Aurender N10, Esoteric K-01X, Shunyata Sigma spdif digital cable, Sonos Connect, PurePower 2000, Stillpoints, Furutech Flux 50, Michell Gyro SE, Michell HR Power Supply, SME 309, Ortofon Cadenza Black, Wireworld, Sonus faber Amati Anniversario
LIVING ROOM - McIntosh C2300, MC75 (2), MR85, Magnum Dynalab 205, Simaudio MOON Neo 260D-T, Schiit Audio Yggdrasil, Aurender N100H, Shunyata Sigma USB cable, Micro Seiki DD40, Ortofon Cadenza Blue, Nakamichi BX-300, Sony 60ES DAT, PS Audio P10, Furutech Flux 50, Sonos Connect, Stillpoints, Wireworld, Kimber, PMC EB1i, JL Audio f113
VINTAGE - McIntosh MA230, Tandberg 3011A tuner, Olive 04HD, Sony DTC-59ES DAT, McIntosh 4300V, JBL 4312A

Last edited by jdandy; 11-24-2009 at 07:31 PM.
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