McIntosh C8 2-Channel Vacuum Tube Preamplifier

The C8 Vacuum Tube Preamplifier has an open chassis industrial design similar to our popular MC275 Vacuum Tube Amplifier, and MA252 and MA352 Integrated Amplifiers. When combined with an amplifier (like the matching MC830 Amplifier), source components such as a turntable, CD player or streaming music player, and a pair of speakers, it can help deliver a lifelike audio experience in your home.

Similarly sized to our MA252 Integrated Amplifier, the C8 is powered by four 12AX7a vacuum tubes housed inside stylish protective cages. For inputs, the C8 comes with 1 balanced and 2 unbalanced analog inputs, plus 1 Moving Coil and 1 Moving Magnet phono inputs with adjustable loading to play cherished vinyl collections. All inputs can be given user-friendly names in order to simplify user control. Bass and treble tone controls help fine tune your music to your personal preferences. For outputs, it has 1 balanced and 2 unbalanced; 1 of the unbalanced outputs can be configured as a subwoofer output for use with a powered subwoofer to further enhance low frequencies.

ELECTRONIC SPECIFICATIONS

• Number of Channels

  2

• Total Harmonic Distortion

  0.08%

• Frequency Response

  +0, -0.5dB from 20Hz to 20kHz
  +0, -3dB from 15Hz to 100kHz

• Maximum Volts Out (Balanced / Unbalanced)

  16V RMS / 8V RMS

• Sensitivity High Level (Balanced / Unbalanced)

  900mV / 450mV

• Sensitivity Phono (Moving Coil)

  0.45mV

• Sensitivity Phono (Moving Magnet)

  4.5mV

• Signal To Noise Ratio (High Level)

  95dB

• Signal To Noise Ratio (Moving Coil)

  75dB

• Signal To Noise Ratio (Moving Magnet)

  80dB

• Voltage Gain (High Level)

  15dB

• Voltage Gain (Moving Coil)

  75dB

• Voltage Gain (Moving Magnet)

  55dB

• Input Impedance (Balanced / Unbalanced)

  44K ohm, 22K ohm

CONNECTIVITY

• Balanced Input

  1

• Unbalanced Input

  2

• Phono Input Moving Coil

  1 (adjustable)

• Phono Input Moving Magnet

  1 (adjustable)

• Upgradeable Digital Audio Module

  Yes: DA2 can be installed

• Digital Coaxial Input

  0

• Digital Optical Input

  0

• Digital MCT (DIN) Input

  0

• Digital USB Input

  0

• HDMI (ARC) Input

  0

• Digital AES/EBU Input

  0

• Balanced Fixed Output

  0

• Balanced Variable Output

  1

• Unbalanced Fixed Output

  0

• Unbalanced Variable Output

  2

• Headphone Output

  1/4" High Drive

• Input Level Match

  Yes, +/- 6dB

• Home Theater PassThru

  Yes

• Unbalanced Analog Connector Type

  Standard

• Service Port

  1

CONTROL

• Tone Controls

  Bass and Treble

• Tone Bypass and Input Assign

  Yes

• RS232 Control Input

  Yes

• Power Control Output

  1 Main, 2 Trigger

• Rear Panel Data Port

  2

• Rear Panel IR Sensor Input

  Yes

GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Multi-Chassis or Single

  Single

• Output Meters

  No

• Vacuum Tube or Solid State

  Vacuum Tube

• Power Consumption (On)

  50 Watts