C2600

2-Channel Vacuum Tube Preamplifier

Supports DSD64, DSD128 & DSD256 files
Upgraded tube circuitry design

FIND A DEALER

Eligible for online purchase?

3 Year Limited Warranty

Add to WishlistRemove From Wishlist

Print this page

COMPARE

Ask an Expert

C2600

2-Channel Vacuum Tube Preamplifier

3 Year Limited Warranty

Print this page

COMPARE

Ask an Expert

Add to WishlistRemove From Wishlist

FIND A DEALER

AudioStream
2018 Editor's Choice
Highly
Recommended
Best Preamplifier
2018 Rocky Mountain
International HiFi Press
The C2300 was one of the most admired McIntosh vacuum tube preamplifiers ever made. Its successor the C2500 has been even more popular. Building upon those successes is the C2600 which incorporates the best of the previous models while adding our advanced digital audio section and upgraded tube circuitry design.

The C2600 is a versatile vacuum tube preamplifier with an expansive set of 16 inputs to connect virtually all your analog or digital music sources. For audio purity, the analog and digital sections are housed separately in our dual chassis design to prevent signal corruption. Analog inputs include 3 balanced, 4 unbalanced plus 1 each dedicated Moving Magnet and Moving Coil phono inputs. Digital inputs consist of 3 optical, 2 coax, 1 USB and 1 McIntosh exclusive MCT connection. Three sets of balanced and unbalanced analog outputs will connect the C2600 to your amplifier.

"Lately, I've reviewed a few preamplifiers that are priced much higher than this preamp, but when I put the McIntosh C2600 in my system I was pleasantly surprised. I was not only surprised with its sonic performance, but that this performance comes with so many features. Its number of inputs, tone controls, programmability, not to mention high-performance internal DAC and superb phono section." - EnjoyTheMusic.com

The C2600 features a 32-bit/384kHz, DSD digital-to-analog-converter (DAC). The optical and coax inputs will decode digital music at up to 24-bit/192kHz for high resolution audio playback. The C2600 is also capable of decoding and playing DSD files; the USB input accepts PCM signals up to 32-bit/384kHz and supports DSD64, DSD128 and DSD256 plus DXD 352.8kHz and DXD 384kHz. When paired with the MCT500 SACD/CD Transport, the proprietary MCT input offers a secure DSD connection for playback of the high definition audio found on SACDs in order to deliver the purest possible sound quality.

"The McIntosh C2600 is among the finest preamplifiers we've tested. It has everything you need in one cabinet, which looks much more expensive than it is. The sound of C2600 is so natural, and it does not matter what kind of input you use." - Lyd & Bilde

With the C2600, all inputs can be renamed to your preference and are available all of the time, giving you more freedom to configure your system. The outputs have also been updated to be easier to operate when bi-amping or tri-amping so that your highs and/or lows are not accidentally turned off. Bass and treble tone controls can adjust individual sources as needed. For headphone listening, the addition of Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD^®) brings an added dimension to your music. The Home Theater Pass Through feature allows for seamless integration into your multi-channel home theater system.

The C2600 features classic McIntosh design cues that not only blend with existing systems but also with any room décor. It can be paired with a variety of amplifiers, speakers, room correction devices, CD players, turntables and tuners to make a complete home audio system. Contact your local dealer to learn more.

Specifications
Electronic Specifications
- Number of Channels
  
  2
- Total Harmonic Distortion
  
  0.08%
- Frequency Response
  
  +0, -0.5dB from 20Hz to 20kHz
  +0, -3dB from 15Hz to 100kHz
- Maximum Volts Out (Balanced / Unbalanced)
  
  16V RMS / 8V RMS
- Sensitivity High Level (Balanced / Unbalanced)
  
  900mV / 450mV
- Sensitivity Phono (Moving Coil)
  
  0.45mV
- Sensitivity Phono (Moving Magnet)
  
  4.5mV
- Signal To Noise Ratio (High Level)
  
  100dB
- Signal To Noise Ratio (Moving Coil)
  
  75dB
- Signal To Noise Ratio (Moving Magnet)
  
  75dB
- Voltage Gain (High Level)
  
  15dB
- Voltage Gain (Moving Coil)
  
  60dB
- Voltage Gain (Moving Magnet)
  
  40dB
- Input Impedance (Balanced / Unbalanced)
  
  44K ohm, 22K ohm
Connectivity
- Balanced Input
  
  3
- Unbalanced Input
  
  4
- Phono Input Moving Coil
  
  1 (adjustable)
- Phono Input Moving Magnet
  
  1 (adjustable)
- Upgradeable Digital Audio Module
  
  No
- Digital Coaxial Input
  
  2
- Digital Optical Input
  
  3
- Digital MCT (DIN) Input
  
  1
- Digital USB Input
  
  1
- Digital AES/EBU Input
  
  0
- Balanced Fixed Output
  
  0
- Balanced Variable Output
  
  3
- Unbalanced Fixed Output
  
  1
- Unbalanced Variable Output
  
  3
- Headphone Output
  
  1/4" High Drive with Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD^®)
- Input Level Match
  
  Yes, +/- 6dB
- Home Theater PassThru
  
  Yes
- Unbalanced Analog Connector Type
  
  Premium gold-plated solid brass
- Service Port
  
  0
Control
- Tone Controls
  
  Bass and Treble
- Tone Bypass and Input Assign
  
  Yes
- RS232 Control Input
  
  Yes
- Power Control Output
  
  1 Main, 4 Trigger
- Rear Panel Data Port
  
  6
- Rear Panel IR Sensor Input
  
  Yes
General Specifications
- Multi-Chassis or Single
  
  Single, two layer
- Output Meters
  
  Yes
- Vacuum Tube or Solid State
  
  Vacuum Tube
  (5) 12AX7a and (1) 12AT7
- Power Consumption (On)
  
  50 Watts
Weights & Dimensions
- Dimensions (W x H x D)
  
  17.5" (44.45cm) x 7.625" (19.37cm) x 18" (45.72cm)
- Weight
  
  29.5 lbs (13.4kg)
- Shipping Weight
  
  45 lbs (20.4kg)

Downloads

Product Literature	User Documents	Software Updates
C2600 Preamplifier Brochure (2.07 MB)	C2600 Preamplifier Owner's Manual (5.95 MB) C2600 Preamplifier Input, Output and Control Connection Diagrams (1.4 MB) C2600 Preamplifier Passthru and Rear Panel Connections (0.81 MB) C2600 Preamplifier Input Assignment Chart (0.13 MB) Important Additional Operation Information Guide - Lithium Batteries (4.91 MB) Tech Tips: Preferred Computer Settings to Play DSD & DXD over McIntosh USB Input (2.58 MB)	McIntosh USB Audio Windows Driver D v2.0 (compatible with Windows 7, 8, 8.1 and 10) (If v1.0 of driver is installed, it must be uninstalled before installing v2.0.) (4.53 MB)