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Would You Buy a NIB, 14-Year Old Preamp?

louisjames

louisjames

The Real Louis James
Subscriber
I've been offered a C-46 for a very good price. It's supposedly NIB and never been opened. I'm looking for a preamp and this seems like a good deal. But I'm concerned about any degradation to the electrolytics, etc. after sitting for so many years unused. Then again, it could turn how to be a great deal. The seller has good feedback but the catch is it's being sold as is, no returns. Thoughts?
 
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louisjames said:
I've been offered a C-46 for a very good price. It's supposedly NIB and never been opened. I'm looking for a preamp and this seems like a good deal. But I'm concerned about any degradation to the electrolytics, etc. after sitting for so many years unused. Then again, it could turn how to be a great deal. The seller has good feedback but the catch is it's being sold as is, no returns. Thoughts?
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That's a tough one. I would at least want to see it, is box sealed? Do you know seller?
 
I don't know the seller personally. But have spoken to him a few times. The pic he sent me seems to indicate that it is indeed sealed. I also spoke to McIntosh support and they said there should be no issue with the electronics. Something that I see damacman said in a reply to someone who was buying a 20 year old 'NIB' unit. So I think i'll go for it
 
I wouldn’t worry much about the electronics, but I wouldn’t touch it if I can’t inspect it and verify operation.

“NIB” isn’t that tough to fake, most of my stuff gets cleaned and put back in its original packaging when I upgrade, and I doubt anyone will be able to tell it from NIB.
 
SaturationPt said:
I wouldn’t worry much about the electronics, but I wouldn’t touch it if I can’t inspect it and verify operation.

“NIB” isn’t that tough to fake, most of my stuff gets cleaned and put back in its original packaging when I upgrade, and I doubt anyone will be able to tell it from NIB.
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I agree. Best to have someone look at it before purchasing. I’d rather have a used item that’s confirmed to be working well instead of a NOS unit which I can’t test (unless it’s being sold for a steal price). Goodluck.
 
About 20 years ago I bought a nib Pioneer sx9000 receiver. A serviceman had bought it new in Vietnam and had it shipped home but sadly the serviceman didn't make it home. Except for a couple of scratchy controls the 30 year old receiver worked perfectly.
I'm betting no issues with the nib C46.
 
I’d be more worried about the transaction. If it turns out to be a scam and you pay with something like PP Friends and Family, you have no recourse. He could send a box of bricks or ghost you.
 
FWIW, If I was inclined to purchase this Mc. C-46 NIB preamp, I would open it up on my bench and slowly variac up the main`s voltage feeding it while monitoring its AC current draw and physically feeling the main power supply caps for heating whilst slowly raising the mains voltage until I had it at 120v.
And if no initial cap issues, or unusual AC current draw, I would continue leaving it powered up for a day or more with the cover off occasionally checking the caps for heating.
And if still appearing issue free, I would perform complete tests against the factory performance specs, and it`s functions with my audio test equipment before placing it in service.
 
If this turns out to be a truly NIB, and there is no way really to know for sure, I will be amazed. There is a 99.9% chance that it is a very clean used unit, many of us who buy new and gently used McIntosh equipment save boxes and packaging, and put them back when the next model comes along. With the C48 and C50 coming along at the end of C46 production and adding digital capability to the already great suite of features in the C46, it is highly likely that it has been back in the box since 2011 or so and was used gently / re-packed carefully as many of us do. I have seen so many “NIB” amplifiers, preamplifiers, receivers, and speakers over the years that turned out on closer inspection to have newer tape, no actual seal, sometimes evidence that the rear-panel RCAs have been used, other reasons that debunked the NIB claims. How will you know? What is your recourse? And most importantly are you paying extra for the claim that it has never been used?

Why would someone have bought this new and never opened the box? Not impossible, just highly unlikely and hard to explain. Yes the didn’t make it home from foreign service story I’ve heard many times, and for Japanese equipment sold in the PX overseas there is some merit, but not as likely for something built and sold here. I know people who live on a modest paycheck to people with private jets, and haven’t met anyone yet who will pay good money and bring home something like this and not use it, ... but still keep it around. I rant.

Anyway, if it hasn’t been used, what’s the big advantage anyway? Other than the VFD fading over use, not much in this unit ages other than the battery for memory (which discharges regardless of whether it’s used). I’d be happier buying a really nice used piece that I can inspect and hear before hauling it home, than something in a box that I’m trusting to be NIB, especially if I’m paying a premium. I would want to see evidence that your seller is the original buyer/owner, if he isn’t then all claims are hearsay and nothing more, just a flip with a claim of value.

Anyway, off my soapbox, best of luck.
 
The problem with the C-46 as I remember is that it has a 4 KHZ upper midrange graphic control, but no 10 Khz high frequency control, and it does not have a full mode selector either. So I would pass. I have for gotten if it has a MC input. If I had the room I would have a C-40 for all its features and would keep my MP 100 MC phono pre-amp and AAC with optical and coaxial digital outputs and RCA and XLR analog outputs. It also has an updated MM input with change able loads too. Older pre-amps have loudness control which some of us love and others could care less.
 
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hi twiiii - i know you've mentioned this before and I agree. this unit will be a backup until i get the c2200 fixed. and then i'll probably use it in a separate room where the eq range is not as important.
 
SaturationPt said:
If this turns out to be a truly NIB, and there is no way really to know for sure, I will be amazed. There is a 99.9% chance that it is a very clean used unit, many of us who buy new and gently used McIntosh equipment save boxes and packaging, and put them back when the next model comes along. With the C48 and C50 coming along at the end of C46 production and adding digital capability to the already great suite of features in the C46, it is highly likely that it has been back in the box since 2011 or so and was used gently / re-packed carefully as many of us do. I have seen so many “NIB” amplifiers, preamplifiers, receivers, and speakers over the years that turned out on closer inspection to have newer tape, no actual seal, sometimes evidence that the rear-panel RCAs have been used, other reasons that debunked the NIB claims. How will you know? What is your recourse? And most importantly are you paying extra for the claim that it has never been used?

Why would someone have bought this new and never opened the box? Not impossible, just highly unlikely and hard to explain. Yes the didn’t make it home from foreign service story I’ve heard many times, and for Japanese equipment sold in the PX overseas there is some merit, but not as likely for something built and sold here. I know people who live on a modest paycheck to people with private jets, and haven’t met anyone yet who will pay good money and bring home something like this and not use it, ... but still keep it around. I rant.

Anyway, if it hasn’t been used, what’s the big advantage anyway? Other than the VFD fading over use, not much in this unit ages other than the battery for memory (which discharges regardless of whether it’s used). I’d be happier buying a really nice used piece that I can inspect and hear before hauling it home, than something in a box that I’m trusting to be NIB, especially if I’m paying a premium. I would want to see evidence that your seller is the original buyer/owner, if he isn’t then all claims are hearsay and nothing more, just a flip with a claim of value.

Anyway, off my soapbox, best of luck.
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I feel the same way.
I wouldn't be worried about the 14 year old electronics,I would be more worried about if the seller is telling the truth about it being NIB.
 
louisjames said:
Thank you gents. All good points!
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Another thing to consider would be the glass being intact. Just because it’s in a factory carton does not guarantee that it’s not already broken. Trust me, I know this from experience. You may factor this into your negotiation as a caveat.
 
In all the years the company I worked for was a Mac dealer 1958 to 1996 I know of two pieces that I heard about from the Service manager that needed new glass. One was my MR 71 that had a moon behind the tuning knob. But I removed the front panel and got out some of my Revel Plastic model paint and painted the moon re installed the plate and the front panel looked brand new. I know when Mac sent me a new Glass for my C-34V 5 years ago that I had accidentally cracked because of my own stupidity. It arrive in 6 pieces because the glass was not packed properly. I photographed the package and the opening and unwrapping Process, They sent me a new properly packed one at no charge.
 
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