McIntosh C12000

@audioquest4life It's not 2 chassis vs 3. The previous version and this version offer the same functionality within two chassis. A controller and an analog preamp. With the previous version, the separate digital preamp D1100 could be made a part of the C1100, so that it became 3 chassis with much greater flexibility (inclusion of a DAC). 

As of yet there is not a corresponding digital unit that has been released with the new visuals of the C12000. So total functionality has gone down. However they must be working on a digital unit like the D1100 so that people do not lose that capability. For the time being you can probably plug the old D1100 into the new C12000 but you'll have mismatched aesthetics.

Seems inexpensive/cheap compared to other 2 chasis preamps. Is this high end?

would prefer a linestage. Ss vs tube feature is cool. 

better choices out there?

I am not interested in vinyl at this point, but want to utilize the tube section of preamp. I am wondering if the hand control supplied with the 12000 will switch between Tube and transistor via flick of a button?

Oh the ignominy.

ps, not very helpful