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New or Used MC452 (PLEASE HELP ME PICK!)

M

mepstein10

New Member
Hey everyone,

Time to get an amp. So I have a dilemma.

I have an option to get a MC452, either new or used, both prices are crazy.

New from authorized seller (personal friend) - $6600 + tax (so about $7100 out the door)

Used - 2 years old (has 1 year left on warranty), I know the owner (unit has a couple scratches on back from thick cables) - $5700

Trying to get thoughts from the group what makes sense, if there is a big difference, etc. etc.

Please let me know what you guys think and why, and any personal experience of a similar situation. Thanks!
 
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Irregardless of which group, common sense will tell you that you have the option of buying the same product of which you know the history of the lower priced piece and it's still under warranty. Finding peices of equipment in this method will yield a significant savings in money and you'll still have want you want. So in old school terms, your one up on everyone else......
 
Neither. If you're not in a hurry, I think you can do significantly better than either of those two offers.

FWIW - 2 years ago I bought locally an MR85, C46 and MC402 - all for $5,000, and all were mint.
 
Get the used one, one thing we know about McIntsoh poweramps is that they are reliable and for many many decades, I'd get the used one....
Push him down in price a bit if you can, just because...
 
mepstein10 said:
Hey everyone,

Time to get an amp. So I have a dilemma.

I have an option to get a MC452, either new or used, both prices are crazy.

New from authorized seller (personal friend) - $6600 + tax (so about $7100 out the door)

Used - 2 years old (has 1 year left on warranty), I know the owner (unit has a couple scratches on back from thick cables) - $5700

Trying to get thoughts from the group what makes sense, if there is a big difference, etc. etc.

Please let me know what you guys think and why, and any personal experience of a similar situation. Thanks!
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You might check. I don't believe the warranty is transferrable on used McIntosh equipment.
 
Do what your budget allows, and still allows you to sleep at night. And, I agree with the others see if you can push on the prices a little.
 
I would buy the used one. Look at it this way, it is well broken in by now and if the amp had no issues you know you are getting a reliable unit that will last for years. If you have the cash in hand I bet you could talk the guy down a little in price.
 
mdewire said:
I would buy the used one. Look at it this way, it is well broken in by now and if the amp had no issues you know you are getting a reliable unit that will last for years. If you have the cash in hand I bet you could talk the guy down a little in price.
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Exactly, totally agree..... I bought mine new, took it home plugged it in, end of story, happy days....
Why waste the extra money....as long as it is in great cosmetic condition there is nothing to worry about....
 
Don't have on opinion on used or new. But thought I'd give you my perspective on the pricing. In the hopes that this helps with your decision.

IMHO. Neither the new nor the used price is "crazy." The new price is about a 23% discount from list and I've seen 20% discounts offered. So, your discount is just a bit above what I've seen. The used price is in line with asking prices I've seen. I was at a dealer event and the dealer had a used 452 with an asking price of $5,800 - and note that this was a dealer. And on an audio site there is a used 452 with a current asking price of $5,600. The initial asking price was $5,900.

Hope this helps.
 
Get the one from your friend. It has a year left on the warranty. Although, you'll only be able to use that warranty if he does the claim, but more than likely the amp won't need any repairs.
Speaking as a 452 owner, you won't be disappointed with the amp.

What pre-amp do you plan on using with your 452?
.
 
exhippy said:
Get the one from your friend. It has a year left on the warranty. Although, you'll only be able to use that warranty if he does the claim, but more than likely the amp won't need any repairs.
Speaking as a 452 owner, you won't be disappointed with the amp.

What pre-amp do you plan on using with your 452?
.
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C2600
 
kevzep said:
Exactly, totally agree..... I bought mine new, took it home plugged it in, end of story, happy days....
Why waste the extra money....as long as it is in great cosmetic condition there is nothing to worry about....
Click to expand...

Has some small scratches on back
 
mepstein10 said:
Hey everyone,

Time to get an amp. So I have a dilemma.

I have an option to get a MC452, either new or used, both prices are crazy.

New from authorized seller (personal friend) - $6600 + tax (so about $7100 out the door)

Used - 2 years old (has 1 year left on warranty), I know the owner (unit has a couple scratches on back from thick cables) - $5700

Trying to get thoughts from the group what makes sense, if there is a big difference, etc. etc.

Please let me know what you guys think and why, and any personal experience of a similar situation. Thanks!
Click to expand...


Try to talk down price of used one to $5300-5400 and make a deal.
 
mepstein10 said:
It is 5400, but shipping brings it up (we are not located closeby)
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Shipping freight isn't the easiest thing to do. I found out when I bought my 452 from a guy that lived on the East coast. Most places charge a pretty penny to palatalize something and arrange freight shipping.
With my 452, I thought it was strange, but the guy bought two new 452's and was going to use them in his home theater system. He changed his mind and advertised them for sale. I checked the serial numbers with McIntosh and sure enough they were fresh out of NY. With this guy I think it was one of those more money than ........... Of course I reminded him of the no warranty as soon as I'm the new owner situation and asking price begun to drop and drop and drop. Until I thought I had a pretty good deal.

C2600, I'm not into tubes, but from what I understand a very nice pre. I was using a C48, but a couple months ago I upgraded to a C52.

This was the magical day I received my 452. I told the driver he could keep the pallet, I'm not selling/shipping this amp...ever!

IMG_0451.JPG
IMG_0449.JPG
IMG_0453.JPG

.
 
I'd buy the new one as long as I had the cash. New, fresh, full warranty and discounted from a dealer always trumps used in my book.
 
mepstein10 said:
It is 5400, but shipping brings it up (we are not located closeby)
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Oh, if it's not a local sale I'd say its a completely moot point and you should buy the new one. Enough of the $1000 before tax savings is going to be eaten up by the cost and hassle of freight shipping for it not to be worth it. Buy the new one and make the dealer deliver and install it.
 
rolltide said:
Oh, if it's not a local sale I'd say its a completely moot point and you should buy the new one. Enough of the $1000 before tax savings is going to be eaten up by the cost and hassle of freight shipping for it not to be worth it. Buy the new one and make the dealer deliver and install it.
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The cost was 5600-5700 shipped. Though I would need to pick it up from the freight distribution area that is about 22 miles away from me, though there are no worries about a brand new one arriving without incident, being delivered and installed properly.
 
mepstein10 said:
The cost was 5600-5700 shipped. Though I would need to pick it up from the freight distribution area that is about 22 miles away from me, though there are no worries about a brand new one arriving without incident, being delivered and installed properly.
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I think you have enough information to make an informed decision, but personally I just don't think its worth it to buy a McIntosh "big amp" that isn't local to you. If you're looking to save some money, I'd wait for something local to present itself for a better price.
 
rolltide said:
I think you have enough information to make an informed decision, but personally I just don't think its worth it to buy a McIntosh "big amp" that isn't local to you. If you're looking to save some money, I'd wait for something local to present itself for a better price.
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Agreed. I prefer to spend a little more and have no regrets or concerns. So that's the way I'm going.
 
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