- Supports DSD64, DSD128 & DSD256 files
- Upgraded tube circuitry design
C2600
2-Channel Vacuum Tube Preamplifier
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 is one of many McIntosh products to receive Roon Tested designation from Roon Labs. It has been profiled and tested by both Roon and McIntosh for maximum compatibility. Roon will recognize it and send it audio optimized for its capabilities. No fiddling with checkboxes or dropdowns, Roon Tested devices are automatically identified and configured out of the box for a superior customer experience.
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.
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Specifications
Electronic Specifications
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- Number of Channels
- 2
-
- Total Harmonic Distortion
- 0.08%
-
- Frequency Response
- +0, -0.5dB from 20Hz to 20kHz
+0, -3dB from 15Hz to 100kHz
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- Maximum Volts Out (Balanced / Unbalanced)
- 16V RMS / 8V RMS
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- Sensitivity High Level (Balanced / Unbalanced)
- 900mV / 450mV
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- Sensitivity Phono (Moving Coil)
- 0.45mV
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- Sensitivity Phono (Moving Magnet)
- 4.5mV
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- Signal To Noise Ratio (High Level)
- 100dB
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- Signal To Noise Ratio (Moving Coil)
- 75dB
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- Signal To Noise Ratio (Moving Magnet)
- 75dB
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- Voltage Gain (High Level)
- 15dB
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- Voltage Gain (Moving Coil)
- 60dB
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- Voltage Gain (Moving Magnet)
- 40dB
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- Input Impedance (Balanced / Unbalanced)
- 44K ohm, 22K ohm
Connectivity
-
- Balanced Input
- 3
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- Unbalanced Input
- 4
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- Phono Input Moving Coil
- 1 (adjustable)
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- Phono Input Moving Magnet
- 1 (adjustable)
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- Upgradeable Digital Audio Module
- No
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- Digital Coaxial Input
- 2
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- Digital Optical Input
- 3
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- Digital MCT (DIN) Input
- 1
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- Digital USB Input
- 1
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- HDMI (ARC) Input
- 0
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- Digital AES/EBU Input
- 0
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- Balanced Fixed Output
- 0
-
- Balanced Variable Output
- 3
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- Unbalanced Fixed Output
- 1
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- Unbalanced Variable Output
- 3
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- Headphone Output
- 1/4" High Drive with Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD®)
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- Input Level Match
- Yes, +/- 6dB
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- Home Theater PassThru
- Yes
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- Unbalanced Analog Connector Type
- Premium gold-plated solid brass
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- Service Port
- 0
Control
-
- Tone Controls
- Bass and Treble
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- Tone Bypass and Input Assign
- Yes
-
- RS232 Control Input
- Yes
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- Power Control Output
- 1 Main, 4 Trigger
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- Rear Panel Data Port
- 6
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- Rear Panel IR Sensor Input
- Yes
General Specifications
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- Multi-Chassis or Single
- Single, two layer
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- Output Meters
- Yes
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- Vacuum Tube or Solid State
- Vacuum Tube
(5) 12AX7a and (1) 12AT7
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- 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)
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- Weight
- 29.5 lbs (13.4kg)
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- Shipping Weight
- 45 lbs (20.4kg)
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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)
-
Reviews & Awards
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ASK AN EXPERT:
C2600
2-Channel Vacuum Tube Preamplifier
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Thank you for contacting McIntosh Laboratory, Inc. We will reply to your message as soon as possible.
Welcome to the family of McIntosh owners. This is the Warranty for your new McIntosh Home Electronic Product (the “Product”). Your Product has been designed to give many years of trouble-free performance. Nonetheless, failures do sometimes occur even with equipment as well-built as McIntosh’s. Therefore, please read this Warranty carefully, because it contains rights, as well as limitations, exclusions, and obligations, which in the event of such a failure may be very important to you. If after reading it thoroughly, you have any questions about the Warranty, please do not hesitate to write or telephone McIntosh at the address or phone number shown on the back of this warranty. Please note that this is the only Warranty which McIntosh provides for your Product, and that no one, including your dealer, has any authority to either modify or expand upon this Warranty. If your dealer has offered or made any warranties or representations concerning the Product which differ from those contained in this Warranty, they are strictly between you and the dealer, and will neither be binding upon McIntosh nor change any of the provisions in this Warranty. Please also note, that if your Product ever does require Warranty service, obtaining such service will be much easier if you have completed and returned the enclosed Warranty Registration Card. So please take a minute to fill out and return the Registration Card now, before you become too distracted by the great sounds coming from your new McIntosh Product!
USE LINK BELOW TO DOWNLOAD COMPLETE WARRANTY TERMS AND CONDITIONS.
For the protection of consumers, authorized McIntosh dealers are PROHIBITED FROM SELLING THIS PRODUCT AS NEW ONLINE OR BY MAIL OR PHONE. If you are considering purchase of this product online or by mail or phone, you risk purchasing from an unauthorized seller or receiving a used product, either of which will void the manufacturer’s warranty.
If you have any questions please contact McIntosh at (888) 979-3737 or feedback@mcintoshlabs.com.
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