McIntosh C8 Audiophile Vacuum Tube Preamplifier with Dual MM/MC Phono & Optional DA2 DAC Module

The McIntosh C8 is a two-channel vacuum tube preamplifier built around four 12AX7A tubes, each housed in a protective cage on an open chassis. The industrial design follows the MC275, MA252 and MA352, and the footprint matches the MA252 at 312 mm wide, making it considerably more compact than a full-width McIntosh component. Maximum balanced output is 16 V RMS and signal to noise ratio reaches 95 dB at high level.

Five analogue inputs cover one balanced, two unbalanced and separate moving coil and moving magnet phono inputs, both with adjustable loading and the ability to be renamed. Outputs comprise one balanced and two unbalanced, with one unbalanced output assignable as a subwoofer output. Bass and treble controls with bypass, a high-drive headphone amplifier and Home Theater PassThru complete the analogue specification, and an optional dealer-installed DA2 digital module adds seven digital inputs and a 32-bit quad balanced DAC.

Key Features

• Four 12AX7A vacuum tubes in protective cages
• Open-chassis design matching the MC275 and MA252
• Compact 312 mm width, narrower than full-size McIntosh components
• Separate MM and MC phono inputs with adjustable loading
• Moving coil gain of 75 dB for low-output cartridges
• One balanced and two unbalanced outputs
• One unbalanced output assignable as a subwoofer output
• Bass and treble controls with tone bypass
• High-drive headphone amplifier
• Optional dealer-installed DA2 digital module
• Home Theater PassThru and RS232 control
• Mirror-polished stainless steel chassis with black glass front

Warranty

This product comes with a 3-year manufacturer warranty.

Why Consider the McIntosh C8

The C8 brings McIntosh tube preamplification into a chassis small enough for rooms that cannot accommodate a full-width component, without reducing the phono section to an afterthought. Separate moving coil and moving magnet inputs with adjustable loading are unusual at this size, and the 75 dB of moving coil gain handles low-output cartridges without a step-up transformer. Because the DA2 digital module is optional rather than fitted, the preamplifier can stay purely analogue for a vinyl-led system or gain a full digital section later.

Ideal For

• Vinyl systems using low-output moving coil cartridges
• Rooms where a full-width component will not fit
• Systems built around the McIntosh MC275 or MC830
• Listeners wanting the option to add digital inputs later
• Pre and power separates with a subwoofer in the chain

What's in the Box

• McIntosh C8 Vacuum Tube Preamplifier
• Vacuum tubes fitted
• Remote control
• Power cable
• Owner's manual

Downloads

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

Technical Specifications