We are faced with nothing less than the fourth reincarnation – MKV version – of a superclassic of tube stereophonic preamplification signed by McIntosh : the legendary C22. With an unmistakable front panel that combines aluminum with treated glass, it includes a total of six vacuum valves (one 12AT7 and five 12AXA) that can be seen through a glass panel located in the upper area of the device, as well as a complete set. of classic controls and switches that are complemented by LED-type light indicators to inform about the selection of the input source and the volume level.
Specifically, the McIntosh includes a total of seven inputs distributed in two balanced, three unbalanced and two phono for turntables equipped with moving magnet (MM) or moving coil (MC) capsules, to which two sets must be added of outputs with RCA and XLR connectors.
The C22 is completed with a headphone jack powered by the exclusive Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD), ensuring compatibility with all types of headphones while adding an extra dimension to the music. The C22 also includes treble and bass controls that can be disabled by the user, as well as adjustments for the impedance and capacitance of the phono inputs.
Characteristics:
- Reference tube stereo preamplifier.
- Vacuum valves used: 12AX7A (5) and 12AT7 (1).
- One hundred percent analog circuit topology.
- Executed with components of the highest quality.
- Separate phono inputs for turntables equipped with MM and MC cartridges.
- Balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) analog inputs and outputs.
- McIntosh 's exclusive dedicated headphone amplifier.
- Frequency response of 15-100,000 Hz, +0 dB, -3 dB.
- Line input sensitivity/impedance: 900 mV/44 kohms (XLR).
- Phono input sensitivity: 4.5 mV in MM and 0.45 mV in MC.
- Signal-to-noise ratio: 100 dB Line, 75 dB/Phone MM and 75 dB/Phone MC.
- Dimensions: 444.5 x 152.4 x 457.2 mm (W x H x D).
- Weight: 11.3 kg.
