McIntosh C8 Tube Preamplifier for Two-Channel Audio Systems

The McIntosh C8 is a two-channel tube preamplifier for high-quality audio systems. It combines vacuum tube technology with analog connections, phono inputs, tone control, and prepared digital expansion.

Analog Sources and Phono Playback

The C8 is designed for sources such as turntables, CD players, tuners, streaming players, and other analog components. Separate phono inputs for Moving Coil and Moving Magnet are available for vinyl records.

Outputs and System Integration

The preamplifier can be connected to a power amplifier via balanced or unbalanced outputs. One unbalanced output can be configured as a subwoofer output. Home Theater Pass Through allows integration into a multi-channel home theater system, where the C8 can handle the left and right front channels.

Optional Digital Expansion

The C8 does not come with digital inputs from the factory. Digital connections can be retrofitted via the optionally installable DA2 Digital Audio Module. If you wish for us to install it, please feel free to contact us by email or phone for individual arrangements.

The HDMI ARC port of the DA2 is exclusively for audio from a compatible TV and does not transmit video.

Operation, Tone Control, and Headphone Operation

Input selection, volume, bass, treble, tone bypass, balance, and input level can be adjusted via the front controls or the included remote control. The front display shows input, volume, and settings. A built-in High Drive headphone amplifier is also available.

Placement, Setup, and Design

The C8 can be placed on a table, shelf, or in suitable furniture. Adequate ventilation is required for operation; placement directly above heat-generating components should be avoided. Before connecting to the power supply, the foam insert over the tubes must be removed, and the included tube protective covers must be installed. The device features an open chassis design, a polished stainless steel chassis, a black glass front with a silver trim, an illuminated logo, and die-cast aluminum side nameplates.

Specifications

General

• Product Type: Two-Channel Tube Preamplifier
• Construction: Single-Chassis
• Technology: Vacuum Tube
• Tube Complement: 4 × 12AX7a Vacuum Tubes
• Channels: 2
• Dimensions (W × H × D): 31.2 × 19.4 × 41.3 cm
• Weight: 8.2 kg
• Shipping Weight: 11.3 kg
• Shipping Carton (W × H × D): 51.8 × 33.7 × 41.3 cm
• Power Consumption On: 50 W
• Standby Power Consumption: less than 0.5 W
• AC Voltage Variants: 100 V, 110 V, 120 V, 220 V, 230 V, or 240 V, 50/60 Hz at 50 W each

Audio

• Frequency Response: +0, -0.5 dB from 20 Hz to 20 kHz; +0, -3 dB from 15 Hz to 100 kHz
• Total Harmonic Distortion: 0.08 % maximum from 20 Hz to 20 kHz at rated output
• Maximum Output Voltage Balanced / Unbalanced: 16 V RMS / 8 V RMS
• Rated Output Balanced / Unbalanced: 5 V / 2.5 V
• Output Impedance Balanced / Unbalanced: 200 Ohms / 100 Ohms
• Input Sensitivity High Level Balanced / Unbalanced: 900 mV / 450 mV
• Input Sensitivity Phono Moving Coil: 0.45 mV
• Input Sensitivity Phono Moving Magnet: 4.5 mV
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio High Level: 95 dB
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio Moving Coil: 75 dB
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio Moving Magnet: 80 dB
• Voltage Gain High Level: 15 dB
• Voltage Gain Moving Coil: 75 dB
• Voltage Gain Moving Magnet: 55 dB
• Input Impedance Balanced / Unbalanced: 44 kOhms / 22 kOhms
• Phono Moving Magnet: 50 to 400 pF in 50 pF steps; 47 kOhms
• Phono Moving Coil: 50, 100, 200, 400, or 1,000 Ohms; 100 pF
• Maximum Input Signal High Level Unbalanced / Balanced: 5 V / 10 V
• Maximum Input Signal Phono Moving Magnet: 80 mV
• Maximum Input Signal Phono Moving Coil: 8 mV
• Headphone Load Impedance: 100 Ohms to 600 Ohms

Connections

• Balanced Input: 1
• Unbalanced Inputs: 2
• Phono Input Moving Coil: 1, adjustable
• Phono Input Moving Magnet: 1, adjustable
• Balanced Variable Output: 1
• Unbalanced Variable Outputs: 2
• Balanced Fixed Output: 0
• Unbalanced Fixed Output: 0
• Headphone Output: 6.35 mm High-Drive
• Unbalanced Analog Connection: Standard
• Service Port: 1
• Network Connection: 0
• Ground Connector: present

Digital Expansion

• Digital Inputs from Factory: none
• Upgradeable Digital Audio Module: Yes, DA2 can be installed
• Digital Inputs with DA2: 2 × coaxial, 2 × optical, 1 × USB, 1 × MCT, 1 × HDMI ARC for audio only
• Digital-to-Analog Converter in DA2: Quad Balanced, 8-channel, 32-bit
• USB Playback with DA2: up to DSD512 native and DXD up to 384 kHz
• Coaxial and Optical Inputs with DA2: up to 24-bit / 192 kHz
• MCT Input with DA2: for MCT500 or MCT80 SACD/CD Transport
• HDMI ARC with DA2: audio only from a compatible TV; no video transmission and no audio playback from non-TV sources
• Digital Inputs from Factory: coaxial 0, optical 0, MCT 0, USB 0, HDMI ARC 0, AES/EBU 0

Operation and Control

• Tone Controls: Bass and Treble
• Tone Bypass and Input Assign: yes
• Input Level Match: ±6 dB
• Inputs: assignable
• Balance: adjustable
• Mono / Stereo: adjustable
• Output 1: switchable on and off
• Output 2: switchable on and off; usable as SUB output; Stereo or Mono adjustable
• Display Brightness: 25 %, 50 %, 75 %, or 100 %, Always On or Auto Off
• Tube Illumination: switchable on or off
• RS232 Control Input: yes
• RS232 Settings: 8 data bits, no parity, one stop bit; Baud rate 115,200 bits per second, adjustable to 9,600, 19,200, 38,400 or 57,600
• Power Control Output: 1 Main, 2 Triggers
• Power Control and Trigger Output: 12 VDC, 25 mA
• Rear Panel Data Port: 2
• Rear Panel IR Sensor Input: yes
• Front IR Sensor: switchable on or off
• Home Theater PassThru: yes
• Auto-Off: turns off after approximately 30 minutes of no operation or no detected audio signal
• Remote Control: included

Placement and Finish

• Placement: upright on table or shelf, also custom-installable in furniture or cabinet
• Minimum Clearance Above: 15.3 cm
• Minimum Clearance Below: 1.6 cm
• Minimum Clearance Each Side: 5.1 cm
• Minimum Depth Behind Front Panel: 45.7 cm
• Clearance in front of mounting plate for knob clearance: 3.7 cm
• Placement Note: Do not install directly above heat-generating components
• Chassis: Stainless steel, polished to a mirror finish
• Front: Black glass front with silver trim
• Logo: Illuminated
• Controls: Rotary knobs
• Side Nameplates: Die-cast aluminum
• Tube Protection: Protective covers for vacuum tubes
• Setup Note: Remove foam insert over tubes before connecting AC power cord; install tube protective covers before operation

Scope of Delivery

• McIntosh C8 AC
• Remote control
• Power cord
• 4 tube protective covers
• Documents

• Broschüre
• Anleitung