C2500 Reliability

[torxx]

I am in the market for a pre amp to connect to an MC452 and B&W 805 speakers. I would prefer McIntosh hoping for good synergy. Demoing other brands in a similar system is unrealistic. Looking at the C2500 over the current model C2600 is only due to price. I am still considering solid state as an option.

I have read a few posts on firmware type issues on the C2500 and the unit freezing up and requiring tricky updating or worse, have to send to repair center. Is this a concern with all preamps or only with preamps with dacs, or mainly the C2500? It got me a little concerned. What is the latest firmware avail for the C2500, maybe I can check if the unit is up to date?

There is a used C2300 for sale for the same money as the C2500. I don't mind it not having a dac, but, I would think it would be missing other advancements found in the C2500?

Thoughts, experiences? Thanks