McIntosh C22 MKV AC 2 Channel Vacuum Tube Preamplifier
McIntosh C22 MKV AC
Design 'retro' - technology 'more than up-to-date'
Lovers of classic designs have always felt at home when they see McIntosh products. The C22AC tube preamplifier was first introduced in 1963. A McIntosh legend that at the time contained technical features that were groundbreaking for the hi-fi industry. An extraordinary line stage, superb phono equalization, an elaborate equalizer with versatile setting options.
The inner values of this epitome of a tube preamplifier were found - again in an improved form - in the form of the C70 preamplifier, created for the 70th anniversary of McIntosh, which once again impressed the professional world. The very nice test report from hifi & records 03/2020 can be found above under the corresponding tab.
The C22AC preamplifier offers a veritable full range of features that you will have to look for a long time elsewhere. The C22AC not only offers balanced inputs and outputs, but also six cinch high-level inputs and three unbalanced outputs. The already mentioned phonotract is practically doubled, namely with separate MM and MC phono sockets as well as two grounding connections. Phonofans can connect two cartridges in parallel and also conveniently select capacitive and ohmic loads on the front panel using a rotary switch. For MC scanners alone, the C22 AC has six different load impedances, including a seldom encountered ten ohms. With 100, 200 and 500 ohms, however, you should be prepared for any eventuality.
And what would an American retro amp be without tone control? And without the loudness button? Exactly: the customers would not have accepted that back then. Nowadays it is said: nothing has to, but everything can. Therefore, both the extensive tone control and the loudness function can be bypassed.
The current C22 AC is certainly one of the best tube preamps in the world. Its exemplary freedom from interference voltage alone allows the finest sound details to emerge much better and favors the already more than ample dynamic reserves. The sound image is built up against a pitch-black background and suggests splendidly extensive virtual spaces. Ultimately, it is only the canned sound that determines the 3D sound impression, whereby the McIntosh does not follow the false ideal of a sound image that is relocated too far back and is not very present.
Technical specifications
- Frequency response from 20Hz to 20kHz: 0 to -0.5dB
- Frequency response from 15Hz to 100kHz: 0 to -3dB
- Total Distortion (THD) 20Hz-20kHz: 0.08%
- Input impedance: High Level: 44 kOhm Balanced / 22kOhm Unbalanced (RCA)
- Phono MM: 50 to 350pF adjustable in 50pF steps; 47kOhm,
- Phono MC: 25, 50, 100, 200, 500 or 1,000 Ohm adjustable; 100pF
- Output impedance: 220 ohms
- External voltage distance: 100dB
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 44.5 x 15.3 x 45.7 cm
Weight: 11.3kg net (18.8 kg with shipping box)
| Condition: | new item |
|---|---|
| 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.
