McIntosh C54?

[jfray]

I have a C52 and really love this preamp as it has tons of flexibility. I upgraded to a C53 but waited for a year and still never received it so I got my money back eventually. Long story…….. I was extremely frustrated but now feel it’s about time for a C54 release so should I wait or pull the trigger now on a C53. I’m in no rush but don’t want to wait for no reason if a C54 release is in the distant future. So what are your odds of a C54 in 2024 or 2025

[McMan]

I would guess McIntosh might adopt the hybrid drive system in the c53 c2700 and stay with the replaceable dac.

My guess is they are several years out at this point. I believe the c53 was released in 2019. So we’re at five years now.

Does anyone know the average product run of their pre-amps?

[vintage_tube]

Here's a snapshot of some past model releases:

C48 2010 to 2015
C50 2010 to 2015
C52 2015 to 2019
C53 2019 to Current (also making 75 issues with 75th anniversary notations)
C70 2018 to 2020

I'd probably wait based on the above -- since they are doing 75 75th anniversary issues this year, I'd venture to say HQ will wait until 2025 for a C53 replacement.

Just my guess.

Bob

[audiogear]

Looks like a 5 year refresh cycle. If in the market, I'd wait. A C54 with Hybrid tech and possibly new DA3 module..who knows.

A C53 with 75th Anniversary cosmetic is a nice option if one gotta have it this year. Thought the 75th designation were only reserved to the flagship monos and 12000 series.

[jfray]

Yeah I was noticing a 5 yr cycle also. I agree and I’ll wait until 2025 to see if there’s any new releases….

Originally Posted by vintage_tube

Here's a snapshot of some past model releases:

C48 2010 to 2015
C50 2010 to 2015
C52 2015 to 2019
C53 2019 to Current (also making 75 issues with 75th anniversary notations)
C70 2018 to 2020

I'd probably wait based on the above -- since they are doing 75 75th anniversary issues this year, I'd venture to say HQ will wait until 2025 for a C53 replacement.

Just my guess.

Bob

[jfray]

Yeah good point on the DAC and not sure if I want a hybrid drive….. oh well looks like no pre upgrade this year

Originally Posted by audiogear

Looks like a 5 year refresh cycle. If in the market, I'd wait. A C54 with Hybrid tech and possibly new DA3 module..who knows.

A C53 with 75th Anniversary cosmetic is a nice option if one gotta have it this year. Thought the 75th designation were only reserved to the flagship monos and 12000 series.

[FreddieFerric]

New model coming out or no, there's still no reason why you placed and order and had no delivery in a full year. Did your dealer drop the ball 100%? That'd be my first question.

[jfray]

It’s a really long story but I bought / paid for a C53 and two new MC275’s (I liked the trigger ability). I thought the store was a McIntosh dealer because I bought my prior integrated amp from the same store yrs earlier and when I asked they said they were (they weren’t). They then placed the order thru the largest McIntosh dealer in Houston. Unfortunately right after placing the order McIntosh terminated the other dealer’s relationship……. I knew I should not have put 100% up front but did. I got my money back it just took a while as that store was in a bind also. It was unfortunate because I really liked the owner and at the end of waiting for to long with to many excuses I was over it and demanded my money back. I want to stress I did get my money back but at the end of the day I never upgraded my C52. However it’s better anyway as I didn’t need to upgrade the MC275’s for that much money I can manually flip the power switch.

I ordered in the summer of 2022 and got my money back the fall of 2023 so now I’m in the C54 waiting time frame.

Originally Posted by FreddieFerric

New model coming out or no, there's still no reason why you placed and order and had no delivery in a full year. Did your dealer drop the ball 100%? That'd be my first question.

[miner]

That was unfortunate yet your funds should have been returned much sooner. Glad you did get them back, though. The MkVI is a very nice improvement over previous versions.

[FreddieFerric]

Originally Posted by miner

That was unfortunate yet your funds should have been returned much sooner. Glad you did get them back, though. The MkVI is a very nice improvement over previous versions.

My brother has the MkVI and loves it. Been on the market for quite some time now. I'd expect to see an updated version in the not to distant future. Agree that the length of time it took the OP to get his money back was freakin' over the top.