McIntosh C8 tube preamplifier
The beloved McIntosh sound quality and the joy of owning for decades. The C8 is an exceptionally compact, yet full-blooded tube preamplifier. The tubes add a touch of extra beauty to the sound, but the performance is McIntosh-style, like a top-of-the-line solid-state device.
- 5 analog inputs - 1 balanced (XLR), 2 unbalanced (RCA), 2 Phono (MM and MC)
- Tubes - 4 pcs 12AX7a
- High Drive Headphone Amplifier
- Optional DA2 DAC module available (7 digital inputs including USB and HDMI ARC)
The C8 is the same size as McIntosh's highly popular MA252 integrated amplifier, and its preamp uses four 12AX7a vacuum tubes, housed in stylish protective cages. In terms of inputs, the C8 has 1 balanced and 2 unbalanced analog inputs, as well as phono inputs suitable for Moving Coil and Moving Magnet cartridges with adjustable loading. All inputs can be named and disabled if desired, to make daily use as easy and smooth as possible. Bass and treble controls help you fine-tune your music to your personal preferences. On the output side, there are 1 balanced and 2 unbalanced outputs; one of the unbalanced outputs can be configured as a subwoofer output, allowing low frequencies to be boosted with an active subwoofer if desired.
For personal listening, the C8 features a High Drive headphone amplifier with plenty of power and flexibility to drive a wide range of headphones. Power Control ports allow for easy system power-on and power-off by sending power-on and power-off signals to other connected McIntosh components. A user-selectable Auto Off function turns the C8 off after 30 minutes of inactivity and no audio signal. Home theater pass-through allows the C8 to seamlessly integrate into a home theater system, and data ports can send remote control commands to connected source components.
Input selection, bass, treble, volume override, balance and leveling between audio sources can be adjusted using the front panel controls or the supplied remote control; all settings, volume and input selection are shown on the front panel display. The C8 sits atop a mirror-polished stainless steel chassis; classic McIntosh-style die-cast aluminium nameplates are attached to each side. The black glass front panel has silver trim, an illuminated logo and rotary control knobs.
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 31.2 x 19.4 x 41.3 cm
- Weight: 8.2 kg
