McIntosh C2300 or C2500

[Audiophilehi]

I just sold my Herron amp, Pre, and phono and looking to get a new preamp. Read a lot of positive comments from C2300 owners but not much is out there on the C2500 since it's new

Has anyone here compared the C2300 and C2500?

Thanks!

[joeinid]

I had the C2300 and liked it very much. I can't comment on the C2500 but the only negative, if you can call it that, is having a built in DAC. Some believe that they obsolete quickly but just like a digital camera, it will always be what it is. I think with Fine Sounds backing McIntosh there may be future updates. I like the convenience and would love to hear the new C2500 for myself. You could always add a better or external dac at some point. I do like the expanded tone controls of the new preamp.

[Audiophilehi]

Thanks Joe!

I already have an external Dac with the Anedio D2 so the Dac in the C2500 would be more of a convenience to have it all in one box. I am more interested to know if the C2500 is a C2300 with a Dac or are there improvements in the analog section as well in the C2500.


I had the C2300 and liked it very much. I can't comment on the C2500 but the only negative, if you can call it that, is having a built in DAC. Some believe that they obsolete quickly but just like a digital camera, it will always be what it is. I think with Fine Sounds backing McIntosh there may be future updates. I like the convenience and would love to hear the new C2500 for myself. You could always add a better or external dac at some point. I do like the expanded tone controls of the new preamp.

[joeinid]

Paul,

Any update on the preamp quest? I am curious what you are thinking about.

[still-one]

The specs are a bit better on the 2500 versus the 2300. As for myself I would go for the newer product even if you weren't going to use the DAC section.

[the professor]

I agree. I just ordered a C2500 to replace my D100.


I don't need the phono sections either but it's nice to have the option down the road. You just never know.

[Dewster]

I agree. I just ordered a C2500 to replace my D100.


I don't need the phono sections either but it's nice to have the option down the road. You just never know.

Congrats on the new C2500 Jock!!:woot:

It's a smart move IMO..

[joeinid]

Congrats on the new C2500 Jock!!:woot:

It's a smart move IMO..

+1

Very cool! Please tell me how you like it when you get it.

[Audiophilehi]

Just pulled the trigger on the c2500. Thanks to all for the replies! :bananasplit::superbanana::bananamouse::bananaskip :

[joeinid]

Congratulations!

[dlb2]

Congratulations!

+1

How long until you have it?

[Mike]

Just pulled the trigger on the c2500. Thanks to all for the replies! :bananasplit::superbanana::bananamouse::bananaskip :

Congrats! Smart move!

[volks]

Just pulled the trigger on the c2500. Thanks to all for the replies! :bananasplit::superbanana::bananamouse::bananaskip :

Nice ....your blazing a Trail with the C2500!! .....now if i could sell my C50 i would get the C2500 as well :)

[Audiophilehi]

+1

How long until you have it?

Not sure yet. I should now the delivery date in the next day or 2.

[the professor]

A friend of mine sent me an email yesterday saying that he had A/B'd a C2500 compared to a C2300 and he liked the sound of the C2500 quite a bit better. Before he listened he really thought that there wouldn't be a difference and that the C2300 would probably be better but not as flexible as the C2500. So it was a shock to him.

Way to go Mcintosh :)

[jwhite613]

Jock & Paul... Congratulations!!! Keep us updated on your new preamps.

[Audiophilehi]

C2500 to arrive on Tuesday 7/2.:bananasplit::superbanana::bananamouse::bananask ip:

[Mike]

C2500 to arrive on Tuesday 7/2.:bananasplit::superbanana::bananamouse::bananask ip:

Congrats!! I look forward to your impressions.

[still-one]

C2500 to arrive on Tuesday 7/2.:bananasplit::superbanana::bananamouse::bananask ip:

Looks like some 4th of July celebrating for you. :bananasplit:

[Dewster]

C2500 to arrive on Tuesday 7/2.:bananasplit::superbanana::bananamouse::bananask ip:

Perfect timing for the 4th!! :woot:

[Audiophilehi]

Perfect timing for the 4th!! :woot:


Looks like some 4th of July celebrating for you. :bananasplit:


Congrats!! I look forward to your impressions.

Yes! Music marathon for 4th of July celebration! I will post my comments as well if I can pull myself away from listening. :exciting:

[2fastdriving]

Congratulations! I hear the 2500 is even better than the 2300, and the 2300 is a really great preamp. There has been much speculation about whether the dac in the 2500 is the same as in the D100. I doubt it is, others are sure it is. But before you ditch the D100, you should do some comparisons between the two dacs running through the 2500. I'd be very curious as to what your findings are.

You may want to keep the D100 as your dac if it does sound better.

[briweed]

I just sold my Herron amp, Pre, and phono and looking to get a new preamp. Read a lot of positive comments from C2300 owners but not much is out there on the C2500 since it's new

Has anyone here compared the C2300 and C2500?

Thanks!

I am a big fan of the 2300. I listened to the 2500 and could not hear any sonic difference. I guess it depends on if you want/need a DAC or not. I am a big fan of just having an analogue pre amp, nothing more. DAC's will improve over time and thus my opinion is to leave that as a separate component. Just my 2 cents.

B

[joeinid]

Bump!

Paul any update on the C2500 preamp? Thoughts/opinions?