McIntosh C12000 2-Channel Preamplifier C12000C

McIntosh C12000 Solid State and Vacuum Tube Preamplifier

C12000C

McIntosh's Ultimate Two-Chassis Preamplifier (each)

The McIntosh C12000 Preamplifier is built around a simple idea: keep control and power circuitry as far away from the audio signal as possible.

To accomplish that, McIntosh divides the C12000 into two separate chassis. The C12000 Controller (C12000C) handles power control, system communication, and external control functions, while the C12000 Preamplifier (C12000ST) houses the audio connections and signal circuitry.

The two units operate as one, but separating their functions helps minimize electrical interaction and noise. Inside each chassis, the left and right channels are also electrically and mechanically isolated for true dual-mono operation .

For a reference-level two-channel system, this is McIntosh engineering taken to its logical extreme.

Two Chassis. One Purpose: Signal Purity.

The C12000 Controller and Preamplifier are connected by a pair of specially designed, shielded umbilical cables.

Dual isolated power supplies serve the left and right channels, while dual microprocessors handle system control.

By moving control and power functions away from the audio circuitry, McIntosh creates an environment where the preamplifier section can focus almost entirely on preserving the music signal.

This architecture also complements the C12000's fully balanced circuitry , which is designed to match the performance level of McIntosh's Quad Balanced power amplifiers.

12 Analog Inputs and Exceptional Vinyl Flexibility

The C12000 is unapologetically focused on high-end analog playback.

It provides 12 analog inputs : six balanced, four unbalanced, and two phono inputs.

Both phono inputs can be configured for either Moving Coil or Moving Magnet cartridges , rather than being permanently assigned to one cartridge type.

Capacitance, resistance loading, and gain are adjustable, with phono gain available from 40dB to 64dB in 6dB increments .

That makes the C12000 exceptionally adaptable for systems using multiple turntables, multiple tonearms, or different cartridges.

The phono stage itself uses four 12AX7A vacuum tubes in a fully balanced configuration , with two tubes dedicated to each channel and RIAA equalization built into the circuit.

Choose Vacuum Tube or Solid State Output

One of the C12000's most distinctive features is McIntosh Hybrid Drive technology .

Instead of forcing you to choose between a tube preamplifier and a solid-state preamplifier, the C12000 gives you both.