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Is My McIntosh C52 Pre-amp The Weak Link?

I currently stream music, from Qobuz, via an Aurender N10 streamer into a McIntosh C52 pre-amp for D/A conversion, analogue output, into a McIntosh MC312 power amp, driving Magico A5 speakers. SQ IMHO is outstanding/perfect, but, I am an audiophile, so there is no such thing as perfect! Time to upgrade something. It is my opinion the C52 built in DAC is the weak link in the system? Thinking of upgrading the Aurender N10 to an Aurender A20 (streamer with built in DAC) and feed the analogue output into the C52. Your thoughts please, have I correctly identified the weak link in the system?

mgattmch
fastfreight
785 posts
 

Is it the DA1 in the C52?  If so I believe many have identified this as subpar.

I found the C52 dull in my system, but many love the MC sound.  I would think keep the N10 and try a separate DAC.  With the warmth of your pre and amps, something like the Tambaqui would light up your world!

overthemoon
417 posts
 

If you have the DA1 - I agree with @fastfreight the you have found the weaklink.

I have owned the C2600 and when I add Moon 280D as a streaming DAC it was a nice step up.

soix
9,456 posts
 

Time to step up to a separate DAC and stop with the onboard DACs in preamps and streamers.  If you detail what specific improvements you’d like to achieve you’ll get some good recommendations here. 

jastralfu's avatar
jastralfu
355 posts
 

I agree, if it’s the DA1 you can do much better.  I have the DA1 in my MA8900.  I now use a Pontus II that is much better.  With the quality of your other components I would look at spending $5k or more on an external DAC that matches the level of the rest of your system.  See if you can find a local retailer that will let you demo different DACs in your setup then you’ll know for sure what, if anything, you are missing.

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