McIntosh C22 MKV AC 2 Channel Vacuum Tube Preamplifier
McIntosh C22 MKV AC
Design 'retro' - technology 'more than up-to-date'
Lovers of classic design have always felt at home with McIntosh products. The C22AC tube preamplifier was first introduced in 1963. A McIntosh legend, it incorporated technical features that were groundbreaking for the hi-fi industry at the time: an exceptional line stage, superb phono equalization, and a sophisticated equalizer with versatile adjustment options.
The intrinsic qualities of this epitome of a tube preamplifier were revived – in yet another improved form – in the C70 preamplifier, created for McIntosh's 70th anniversary, which once again thrilled the audio world. You can find the excellent review from hifi&records 03/2020 above under the corresponding tab.
The C22AC preamplifier offers a truly comprehensive feature set that's hard to find elsewhere. In addition to balanced inputs and outputs, the C22AC also boasts six RCA high-level inputs and three unbalanced outputs. The aforementioned phono stage is essentially doubled, featuring separate MM and MC phono inputs as well as two ground connections. This allows phono enthusiasts to connect two cartridges in parallel and conveniently select between capacitive and resistive loads via a rotary switch on the front panel. For MC cartridges alone, the C22AC offers six different load impedances, including the rarely encountered 10 ohms. With 100, 200, and 500 ohms, you should be prepared for virtually any situation.
And what would an American retro amp be without tone controls? And without a loudness button? Exactly: Back then, customers wouldn't have accepted that. These days, the motto is: Nothing is mandatory, but everything is optional. Therefore, both the extensive tone controls and the loudness function can be bypassed.
The current C22 AC is undoubtedly one of the world's finest tube preamplifiers. Its exemplary noise-free operation alone allows the finest sonic details to emerge much more clearly and enhances its already more than ample dynamic reserves. The soundstage unfolds against a pitch-black background, suggesting magnificently expansive virtual spaces. Ultimately, it is the source material that determines the 3D sound impression, and the McIntosh avoids the misguided ideal of a soundstage that is too recessed and lacks presence.
Technical data
- Frequency response from 20Hz to 20kHz: 0 to -0.5dB
- Frequency response from 15Hz to 100kHz: 0 to -3dB
- Total harmonic distortion (THD) 20Hz-20kHz: 0.08%
- Input impedance: High Level: 44 kOhm Balanced / 22 kOhm Unbalanced (RCA)
- Phono MM: 50 to 350pF adjustable in 50pF steps; 47kOhm,
- Phono MC: 25, 50, 100, 200, 500 or 1000 ohms adjustable; 100pF
- Output impedance: 220 ohms
- Signal-to-noise ratio: 100dB
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 44.5 x 15.3 x 45.7 cm
Weight: 11.3 kg net (18.8 kg with shipping carton)
| Condition: | New goods |
|---|---|
| Device depth mm: | 457 |
| Device height mm: | 153 |
| Device width mm: | 445 |
| Product type: | Preamplifier |
Manufacturer
McIntosh Labs
McIntosh Labatory Inc.
2 Chambers Street
13903 Binghamton
New York
USA
rhullekes@finesounds.nl
EU Representative
Audio Components Vertriebs GmbH
Leverkusenstraße
Hamburg 22761
Germany
info@audio-components.de
Safety Information
Product-specific safety instructions can be found in the operating manual.
