Mcintosh C50

[Sully]

Originally Posted by Ritmo

The information I've seen on the c50 and c48 is that the differences are the 8 band vs 5 band eq and the meters on the c50.

Does anyone know if there are any architecture or chip differences? If not, then I would expect that sonically these units should be identical.

Comments?

Thanks,
Mike

The C50 has a Processor Loop that the C48 doesn't.
Looking forward to hearing the C48

[jdandy]

The C50 not only has the meters, glass top, processor loop, and eight band EQ not available on the C48, but also has an additional set of balanced and unbalanced outputs not found on the C48. Both the C50 and the C48 use 32 bit/192kHz Digital to Analog converters, but after much searching I have yet to discover where it has been stated by McIntosh that the DACs in the C48 and C50 are the ESS 32/192 DACs, as has been stated by some posters here. It would be good to have official confirmation about the DAC manufacturer.

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by jdandy

[B]. Both the C50 and the C48 use 32 bit/192kHz Digital to Analog converters, but after much searching I have yet to discover where it has been stated by McIntosh that the DACs in the C48 and C50 are the ESS 32/192 DACs, as has been stated by some posters here. It would be could to have official confirmation about the DAC manufacturer.

Dan, are you concerned whether the DAC's are 32bit or will handle a 192 signal. I have no idea of the 32 bit but even the MCD-500 DAC's will receive and pass a 192 signal. I tried that running by running a 192 signal thru the digital out of the Olive 4HD into the MCD-500 and into the C-1000. No problems.
Jim

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by Still-One

Dan, are you concerned whether the DAC's are 32bit or will handle a 192 signal. I have no idea of the 32 bit but even the MCD-500 DAC's will receive and pass a 192 signal. I tried that running by running a 192 signal thru the digital out of the Olive 4HD into the MCD-500 and into the C-1000. No problems.

Jim.......Just an observation, more curious about who manufactures the new C50 / C48 DACs, especially since it has been said they are by ESS, but not confirmed by McIntosh. At this time I am not concerned about 24 bit versus 32 bit depth. I was pleased when you reported success playing 192kHz signals through the MCD500 DACs.

I have no plans to replace either of my C1000 preamps with the C50 or the C48, but I am interested in them as a McIntosh product.

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Jim.......Just an observation, more curious about who manufactures the new C50 / C48 DACs, especially since it has been said they are by ESS, but not confirmed by McIntosh. At this time I am not concerned about 24 bit versus 32 bit depth. I was pleased when you reported success playing 192kHz signals through the MCD500 DACs.

I have no plans to replace either of my C1000 preamps with the C50 or the C48, but I am interested in them as a McIntosh product.

Dan,
I am not sure who else supplies 32bit DAC's, it will be interesting to see what it looks like inside.
I am with you. I would only consider replacing the C-1000 if I wanted to open up a few slots in the rack. Bt adding C-50 the I could eliminate the DAC and one pre-amo box.
Jim

[jdandy]

Jim.......I don't know who all the players are who are designing and manufacturing DACs these days, but I have read of new Burr-Brown 32 bit/192kHz DACs. Esoteric uses the new Asahi Kasei Microdevices (AKM) top-end 32 bit/192kHz DACs. Wyred 4 Sound uses the newest ESS Sabre Reference 32 bit/192kHz DACs in their DAC2.

I don't know why McIntosh doesn't state in the literature who manufactures the DACs in their newest products. It will come to light eventually, so why not just tell us.

[1KW]

For all the reasons you mentioned Dan the C50 to me would be the one I would buy. I am waiting for someone to hear one in person and give a impression or read a review somewhere. I would not be surprised if the the C1100 becomes a 2 chassis design stacked liked the C50 ie one box .

[SELYPB]

I got my C50 and MC452 today. I have some work to do on the room first, and I am waiting on some cabling as well. I want to open them up now being they are my first McIntosh pieces of gear, but I'm being patient and waiting. I'll be doing some sanding, painting, and trimming in the room over the next couple of weeks so no sense in opening them up yet. I'm just glad there here.

[jdandy]

SELYPB.......Congratulations on the new gear. Looking forward to reading your impression of the gear, particularly the C50, and its D/A performance.

[piolaxo]

Wow! Congrats! It is good to be patient since waiting to get the
gear out of boxes and enjoy is going to be a difficult thing. First
C50 out there, what an excitement.