McIntosh C2800

McIntosh C2800 Vacuum Tube Preamplifier

Tube Character With Modern McIntosh Control

The McIntosh C2800 Vacuum Tube Preamplifier combines the musical character of a tube-based analog stage with the connectivity and system control expected from a modern flagship preamplifier.

At its core are four vacuum tubes, but the C2800 is far from a stripped-down analog design. With 16 total inputs, configurable MM/MC phono stages, the DA2 Digital Audio Module, HDMI ARC, three sets of variable outputs, built-in crossover functions, Processor Loop, and network control, it is designed to serve as the center of an extremely capable two-channel system.

16 Inputs for Analog and Digital Sources

The C2800 provides nine analog and seven digital inputs, giving you plenty of room to build a system around vinyl, streaming, digital playback, television, disc transports, and traditional source components.

Its analog section includes three balanced and four unbalanced line-level inputs, along with two phono inputs that can each be configured for either Moving Coil or Moving Magnet cartridges.

Both phono inputs offer adjustable gain from 40dB to 64dB in 6dB steps, making the C2800 especially appealing for vinyl enthusiasts using different cartridges or multiple turntables.

Digital playback is handled through McIntosh's DA2 Digital Audio Module and its Quad Balanced, 8-channel, 32-bit DAC.

High-Resolution Digital Playback and HDMI ARC

The DA2 adds seven digital connections, including two coaxial, two optical, USB, MCT, and an audio-only HDMI ARC input.

USB supports high-resolution playback up to DSD512 and DXD 384kHz, while the coaxial and optical inputs support resolutions up to 24-bit/192kHz.

The proprietary MCT connection provides a secure digital path from compatible McIntosh SACD/CD transports, allowing high-resolution SACD audio to be delivered directly to the C2800.

HDMI ARC also makes it possible to route compatible television audio through your main stereo system. Dolby and DTS multichannel signals can be converted to two-channel audio, allowing television, movies, concerts, and streaming content to benefit from the same amplification and speakers used for music.

The DA2 itself is modular, giving McIntosh the ability to replace it with a future Digital Audio Module as technology changes.

Three Outputs and Built-In Bi-Amp Capability

The C2800 provides three stereo sets of variable balanced and unbalanced outputs, and all three sets can operate simultaneously.

That opens the door to far more sophisticated system designs than a conventional preamplifier.