Opinions on the Mcintosh C500T?

Finally received the C1000P, I replaced my Cary SLP-05, it took me a while to figure out how to program the thing, a bit frustrating at times, I was leaning on past intellect, however once I sat down and took time to fully read the manual, I finally got music, and oh what joy that filled my soul. This is the preamp of preamps, I thought I would miss the tube sound, however, the C1000 still has sort of a tube sound, the sound stage is much more encompassing, imaging has fine tuned to a point of realism, very airy. Now the part that blew me away is the noise factor; there is none, "nothing" total silence, everything is clear as a bell, no sibilance, no edginess, a piano sounds like a piano, a horn like a horn, etc. The dynamics are stunning, I heard voices like never before, you could tell when a soloist turned their heads, a very moving experience. The overall synergy of the C1000 and the MC501 is stunning, especially coupled with the Nova Physics Memory Player Transport and the Esoteric D70 DAC, I am hearing music like never before experienced. My plans are to audition the new Nova Physics Memory Player tube/dac next month. This what I am talking about, I am finally listening to complete music, not a hint of electronics, just music. All this and I have yet to hear the C1000 fully broken in. McIntosh has to be one of the best (IMHO)

Great to here Mitch.

Yes the noise factor is dead quite on my C500T as well. The dynamics are stunning even at low levels listening to Dave Weckl drum patterns late last night. I have to agree on the piano observation...sounds real with longer decay and depth.

Try spinning Dire Straits On Every Street...airy spacious sound stage, details, transparency, depth, breathy. Really incredible recording...and this is coming from my two-way with smallish soundstage.

Congrats again on the C1000.

Got my TT ready for action now. I ordered a milty zap gun for static and its in so I look forward to testing this phono stage this weekend.

beerdraft

Just so you all know...... The main difference between the McIntosh C1000 and C500 Pre Amp comes into play if you purchase "all" three C1000 components, namely the Solid State and Tube units. The C1000 Controller has lavish circuitry so one can "toggle" between the Solid State and Tube units on the fly. If you only purchase the SS or Tube unit you gain virtually nothing in performance over the lesser priced but as equally amazing sounding C500 Pre Amp. The C500 was designed to be used as a two piece Pre Amp whereas the C1000 was truly designed as a three piece setup. I just wish McIntosh would have included the same 3D Glass front panel on the C500 as on the C1000, to me that really finishes the Fabulous Look of this Pre Amp. But that is Matketing at its best or should I say worst. :-) I hope this answers your most of your questions. Sincerely. Dr. Edwin A. Owen.

My biggest problem with the C500T wasn't that it was not a very capable pre. I enjoyed it very much but am a bit flustered that I spend all that money on a pre and they send it to me with tubes that are worthless. I couldn't even play phono with my stock tubes they were so noisy. Then I start on the tube roll marathon to find out that it was hard to find a tube that not only sounded great but wouldn't mess up timing and detail. I eventually found some that did but man it was just not what I expected looking back. I've moved on now to the BAT REX pre and it has multiple tubes and no need for rolling at all. It's perfect. They do make a optional tube pkg but its not an upgrade and should only be used if there is some sort of synergy problem.