I had always liked the look of the C48 over the C47 even before I bought the C47 about four months ago. But I went with C47 as it was the latest model with supposedly a better DAC. I also got a deal I could not refuse on it.
The C47 is a very nice sounding preamp compared to many other brands I have owned, but it was my first Mcintosh, so I had no idea how the others sounded. Although I liked the C47, I just could not get the C48 out of my head. I kept looking at it every day thinking I should have got it for the same money. Here are my reasons why.
Better RCA jacks
Easier switching between input from the remote, you don't have to scroll through to find the one you want.
Nicer chrome chassis.
The five band EQ adds more bling.
The remote is not as expensive looking, but it doesn't slip out your hand like the new skinny one dose.
So those are the main pluses. As for the DAC, its just as nice. The C47 Dac can do more for USB, but I never use USB.
It would have been nice if the digital inputs on the C48 were additional input like on the C47, instead of having to give up a analog to turn it into a digital.
Took me a while to figure that out. I kept searching the display and the remote for the digital inputs.
Anyway, as for the sound difference, I am still adjusting to the C48, but I can say for sure, it has a much tighter bottom end than the C47. The bass has no boom, no hang over, just solid. I almost want to think it dose not go as low as the C47. With the C47 I could always tell my sub is on, now I barely hear it. The C48 seems to have a deeper, wider soundstage .
So now I think I will stop wishing for awhile, I got a great deal on this one from a dealer who had it as a open box just sitting waiting for me. Even has a 3 year warranty, who would have thought. I called to ask about a C50 they advertised, and ended up with like new C48.
The C50 was a great deal too, but I really don't need more meters, and it would be a tight fit in my rack.
So I will be happy until they make the one with the sub output and Bluetooth.
AB.
The C47 is a very nice sounding preamp compared to many other brands I have owned, but it was my first Mcintosh, so I had no idea how the others sounded. Although I liked the C47, I just could not get the C48 out of my head. I kept looking at it every day thinking I should have got it for the same money. Here are my reasons why.
Better RCA jacks
Easier switching between input from the remote, you don't have to scroll through to find the one you want.
Nicer chrome chassis.
The five band EQ adds more bling.
The remote is not as expensive looking, but it doesn't slip out your hand like the new skinny one dose.
So those are the main pluses. As for the DAC, its just as nice. The C47 Dac can do more for USB, but I never use USB.
It would have been nice if the digital inputs on the C48 were additional input like on the C47, instead of having to give up a analog to turn it into a digital.
Took me a while to figure that out. I kept searching the display and the remote for the digital inputs.
Anyway, as for the sound difference, I am still adjusting to the C48, but I can say for sure, it has a much tighter bottom end than the C47. The bass has no boom, no hang over, just solid. I almost want to think it dose not go as low as the C47. With the C47 I could always tell my sub is on, now I barely hear it. The C48 seems to have a deeper, wider soundstage .
So now I think I will stop wishing for awhile, I got a great deal on this one from a dealer who had it as a open box just sitting waiting for me. Even has a 3 year warranty, who would have thought. I called to ask about a C50 they advertised, and ended up with like new C48.
The C50 was a great deal too, but I really don't need more meters, and it would be a tight fit in my rack.
So I will be happy until they make the one with the sub output and Bluetooth.
AB.
