This is no less than the fourth reincarnation - MKV version - of a stereo tube preamp superclassic from McIntosh: the legendary C22. Featuring a distinctive front panel combining aluminium with treated glass, it includes a total of six vacuum tubes (one 12AT7 and five 12AXA) that can be viewed through a glass panel at the top of the unit, as well as a full complement of classic controls and switches, complemented by LED-type indicator lights to inform about input source selection and volume level.
Specifically, the McIntosh includes a total of seven inputs, two balanced, three unbalanced and two phono inputs for turntables equipped with moving magnet (MM) or moving coil (MC) cartridges, plus two sets of outputs with RCA and XLR connectors.
The C22 is completed by a headphone jack powered by the unique Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD), which ensures compatibility with all types of headphones while adding an extra dimension to the music. The C22 also includes user-deactivatable treble and bass controls, as well as adjustments for impedance and capacitance of the phono inputs.
Features:
- Reference tube stereo preamplifier.
- Vacuum valves used: 12AX7A (5) and 12AT7 (1).
- One hundred per cent analogue circuit topology.
- Executed with the highest quality components.
- Separate phono inputs for turntables equipped with MM and MC capsules.
- Balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) analogue inputs and outputs.
- Dedicated headphone amplifier exclusive to McIntosh.
- Frequency response 15-100,000 Hz, +0 dB, -3 dB.
- Line inputs sensitivity/impedance: 900 mV/44 kOhm (XLR).
- Sensitivity of the Phono inputs: 4.5 mV on MM and 0.45 mV on MC.
- Signal to Noise Ratio: 100 dB Line, 75 dB/Phono MM and 75 dB/Phono MC.
- Dimensions: 444.5 x 152.4 x 457.2 mm (W x H x D).
- Weight: 11.3 kg.
