2. amps-preamps
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Conflicted with Preamps

This post is a spinoff of these past two postings.

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/preamp-with-variable-loudness-control-remote-control

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/preamp-options-under-3500

(not sure if I posted the links correctly, please advise)

I ordered a New style Quad 33 preamp end of February or beginning of March. As of May 1st. No ship date on the Quad. In the meantime, a good deal came up on a McIntosh C49 Preamp so I purchased it. I always wanted to try the Mac sound. I kind of like this thing. The DAC seems a bit better than the Denafrips and I also eliminated the Schiit DAC from the TV. Now the issue, the Quad will be arriving sometime in the future. Do I open it and audition it, hoping I will like it better that the Mac or do I leave it sealed in the box and post it for sale? I am curious of the soundbut it might bring a bit more $ unopened.

chippieboy
jond's avatar
jond
6,063 posts
 

Can you just return the Quad or cancel the order since it hasn't shipped yet?

yyzsantabarbara
5,123 posts
 

You also need to consider break-in. I had the same dilemma with the Schitt Yggi+ LIM DAC that I got converted to MIB. Should I sell it immediately in the unopened box or listen. I was going to buy a second used Schitt Yggi+ OG to replace the MB.

I opened the box and found it sounded not too good. That was expected with the Yggi+ DACs which I found need about a month of hard burn-in. The MIB sounds very good now, not as good as the OG though. 

Yesterday, I signed up for the new uber Schitt DAC, called the Byggi for August availability. My MIB will be converted to the Byggi. Keeping the brilliant OG as is.

 

 

kofibaffour
464 posts
 

Return the Quad

ghdprentice
8,125 posts
 

@yyzsantabarbara 

+1 I agree. Breakin is critical. 

I used an Ai for this. But, it is likely to be pretty close to what you will experience. The Quad will require at least a hundred hours if you want to know what it will sound like. 

 

McIntosh does not specify an official break-in period for the C49 preamp in its documentation. However, based on user experiences and general high-end audio break-in practices, you can expect the C49 to settle sonically over 50 to 200 hours of playback.

Break-in Characteristics

  • First 50 hours – The sound may initially feel slightly constrained, with transients not fully opening up.

  • 50-100 hours – Improved dynamics, smoother treble, and more coherent bass response.

  • 100-200 hours – The preamp reaches optimal performance, with fully developed tonal balance and micro-detail retrieval.

Since the C49 is a solid-state design, its break-in period is generally shorter than tube-based preamps. Running a variety of music at moderate levels continuously can help accelerate the process.

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