Two preamps are available....

The "factory refurbished" really doesn’t mean anything. They usually just do a full test and don’t repair anything.

Sorry, that’s not entirely true. It depends on the manufacturer and what was originally wrong with the unit. I sold hundreds of B-Stock units and had just as much success with these as any new units. I have also owned quite a few refurbs and never had a problem.

Buy the refurb...

Thanks mofimadness.  This is a McIntosh unit... and since you've sold b-stock units, you should know and I can understand why it's manufacturer dependent.  

@gerryn...if it's a McIntosh, then rest assured it was completely gone through and made like new.  McIntosh is a very obsessive company when it comes to their products.  One of the best out there as a matter of fact.

Much appreciated Brad. Thanks for your insights. 

I'd go with the manufacture date as well.  If the "refurb" unit was a dealer demo, having working in some high end dealers in the past, most of the equipment on our floor had LOTS of hours on them, most turned "on" in the morning, left "on" all day, six days a week.  Back in the day I bought a "demo" NAD receiver which developed a left channel out problem, and the "warranty" the dealer gave me was worthless, they never fixed that problem.