McIntosh ‘Masterpieces’ – C55 Solid-State & C2800 Tube Preamps

McIntosh’s C55 solid-state preamp arrives alongside the C2800 vacuum tube preamp, with each items boasting “cutting-edge expertise with timeless design”.

According to the Binghamton-based model, the C55 Preamplifier has been “designed to captivate audiophiles, music fanatics, and devoted McIntosh aficionados alike”.

It additionally inherits the legacy of its predecessor, the C53, and options an 8-band analogue equaliser for larger musical precision and a personalised audio expertise. The equaliser might be bypassed should you want.

Meanwhile, the C2800 vacuum tube mannequin presents “a fusion of audio ardour and engineering precision” that has been “crafted to please even essentially the most discerning music lovers”.

We are advised that the C2800’s vacuum tube circuitry has been developed to cut back noise and distortion as a lot as doable. Furthermore, the valves provide a listening expertise that “exceeds expectations”, whereas digital bass and treble circuits allow you to alter the quantity of excessive and low frequencies in 1dB increments.

The producer definitely appears to assume that audiophiles accumulate numerous parts as the brand new preamplifiers provide 16 inputs comprising three balanced XLR and 4 RCA at line stage, two adjustable phono ins, and 7 digital connections together with HDMI, twin optical and coax, and USB. There can be Mcintosh’s proprietary MCT connection, an ethernet port, and low cross and subwoofer outputs.

Of course, the C55 and C2800 provide three units of stereo balanced and unbalanced outputs to connect to appropriate energy amps and allow bi-amping. Meanwhile, a ‘processor loop’ permits you to combine an exterior processor. Premium-grade DAC expertise, in the meantime, guarantees “beautiful digital audio conversion” regardless of the supply performed. They’re additionally licensed as Roon Tested.

In addition to the on-unit entrance controls and the supplied distant, you may join the C2800 or the C55 to your private home community and management the high-end preamp by way of the McIntosh Connect app in your cellular machine.

The C55 solid-state preamplifier and the C2800 vacuum tube preamplifier can be found now abroad for £11,995/ €11,990 every. Australian pricing and availability has not but been confirmed.