McIntosh C2800 Vacuum Tube Preamplifier with DA2 DAC, Dual MM/MC Phono & Bi-Amp Crossover Filters

The McIntosh C2800 is a vacuum tube preamplifier built around three 12AX7A and one 12AT7 tubes, visible through a glass panel on the top of the chassis. Signal to noise ratio reaches 100 dB at high level and volume is handled by a digitally controlled balanced attenuator accurate to 0.1 dB, with electromagnetic input switching, fully regulated power supplies and an R-core power transformer behind it. Maximum balanced output is 16 V RMS.

Sixteen inputs cover nine analogue and seven digital. Three balanced, four unbalanced and two phono inputs sit alongside the factory-installed DA2 digital module, which adds two coaxial, two optical, USB with DSD512 and DXD support, an MCT connection for McIntosh transports, and HDMI ARC for television audio. Both phono inputs are configurable as moving coil or moving magnet with gain selectable at 40, 46, 52, 58 or 64 dB. Three sets of variable balanced and unbalanced outputs can run simultaneously, with adjustable high-pass and low-pass filters for bi-amping and a third output configurable as mono or stereo for subwoofers or a second room.

Key Features

• Three 12AX7A and one 12AT7 vacuum tubes
• Tubes visible through a glass top panel
• Two phono inputs, each switchable MM or MC
• Phono gain selectable at 40, 46, 52, 58 or 64 dB
• Upgradeable DA2 digital module with quad balanced 32-bit DAC
• USB supporting DSD512 and DXD 384 kHz
• HDMI ARC input for television audio
• Three sets of variable balanced and unbalanced outputs
• Adjustable high-pass and low-pass filters for bi-amping
• Third output configurable as mono or stereo for subwoofers
• Digitally controlled balanced attenuator accurate to 0.1 dB
• Roon Tested, Control4 and Crestron Home certified

Warranty

This product comes with a 3-year manufacturer warranty.

Why Consider the McIntosh C2800

The output section is what distinguishes the C2800 from a conventional tube preamplifier. Three sets of outputs running at once, two of them with adjustable crossover filters, means a bi-amped system, a pair of powered subwoofers and a second room can all be driven from one preamplifier without outboard crossovers or splitters. The trim control on Output 1 then matches levels between two different power amplifiers, which is the practical obstacle most bi-amping attempts run into. Add two independently configurable phono inputs and a full digital section, and the C2800 is the control centre of a system rather than simply a volume control with tubes.

Ideal For

• Bi-amped systems using two different power amplifiers
• Systems with powered subwoofers needing crossover control
• Vinyl collections using two turntables or several cartridges
• Single-component control of analogue, digital and television sources
• Installations using Control4, Crestron or RS232 automation

What's in the Box

• McIntosh C2800 Vacuum Tube Preamplifier
• Vacuum tubes fitted
• HR085 remote control
• Power cable
• Owner's manual

Downloads

• Owner's Manual (PDF)
• Product Sheet (PDF)
• Product Brochure (PDF)

Technical Specifications