C49

2-Channel Solid State Preamplifier

13 inputs (7 analog + 6 digital)
Supports up to DSD256 files
Comes with DA1 Digital Audio Module installed
Optional dealer installed upgrade to DA2 Digital Audio Module available

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3 Year Limited Warranty

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C49

2-Channel Solid State Preamplifier

3 Year Limited Warranty

Print this page

COMPARE

Ask an Expert

Add to WishlistRemove From Wishlist

FIND A DEALER

Be prepared for future digital music technologies with the C49 Preamplifier. The C49 features our DA1 Digital Audio Module, which can be replaced by new modules as new digital audio technologies are developed. This will allow you to keep your C49 up to date with digital music formats and viable well into the future.

The C49 comes with a multitude of inputs. For analog, it has 2 balanced and 3 unbalanced, along with 2 phono inputs (comprised of 1 Moving Coil and 1 Moving Magnet) for connecting turntables. On the digital side, it has 6 inputs housed in the DA1 module. The inputs are: 2 coaxial, 2 optical, 1 USB and 1 proprietary MCT (for use with our MCT series of SACD/CD Transports). The DA1 is powered by an 8-channel, 32-bit Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) that is used in Quad Balanced mode; it supports up to DSD256 and DXD 384kHz for playback of high resolution audio. (NOW AVAILABLE: Optional dealer installed upgrade to the DA2 Digital Audio Module.) In total, the C49 has 13 inputs, and each can be given user-friendly names to simplify system setup and control.

"Digital was clean, but not harsh, imaging and soundstage were good, and after a download of McIntosh USB drivers the DA1 ran with no issues. You would have to buy a pretty stellar stand alone DAC to outperform the DA1, in my opinion. Maybe you’d even pay prices that would rival the cost of the entire C49 before getting something well above what it can do." Winner of 2021 Editors Choice Award for Preamplifiers. - Part-Time Audiophile

For connecting to your amplifier and the rest of your home audio system, the C49 has 2 balanced variable outputs, 2 unbalanced variable outputs, and 1 unbalanced fixed output. The outputs are designed for easy use when bi-amping your speakers so that neither your highs or lows are inadvertently turned off. Your audio sources can be fine tuned via the bass and treble tone controls. The C49 can be seamlessly integrated into your home theater system via Home Theater Pass Through. Power Control ports allow for the easy turn on/turn off of other connected McIntosh components, while the Data Ports can send remote control commands to connected source components. Our High Drive headphone amplifier with Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD^®) is also included.

"Better detail, better soundstage, better coherence... Whether I was listening to my CD collection or some hi-res, the music sounded much more lush and full of body than my current setup. It was more organic and more real." - Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity

The C49 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 C49 comes complete with classic McIntosh design staples such as a black glass front panel, knobs, an illuminated logo and aluminum end caps. Pair it with a variety of amplifiers, turntables, CD players, tuners, speakers, power controllers and room correction devices to make a complete home audio system. Contact your local dealer to learn more.

Specifications
Electronic Specifications
- Number of Channels
  
  2
- Total Harmonic Distortion
  
  0.005%
- 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)
  
  80dB
- Signal To Noise Ratio (Moving Magnet)
  
  82dB
- 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
  
  2
- Unbalanced Input
  
  3
- Phono Input Moving Coil
  
  1 (adjustable)
- Phono Input Moving Magnet
  
  1 (adjustable)
- Upgradeable Digital Audio Module
  
  Yes: DA1
- Digital Coaxial Input
  
  2
- Digital Optical Input
  
  2
- Digital MCT (DIN) Input
  
  1
- Digital USB Input
  
  1
- HDMI (ARC) Input
  
  0
- Digital AES/EBU Input
  
  0
- Balanced Fixed Output
  
  0
- Balanced Variable Output
  
  2
- Unbalanced Fixed Output
  
  1
- Unbalanced Variable Output
  
  2
- Headphone Output
  
  1/4" High Drive with Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD^®)
- Input Level Match
  
  Yes, +/- 6dB
- Home Theater PassThru
  
  Yes
- Unbalanced Analog Connector Type
  
  Standard
- Service Port
  
  1
Control
- Tone Controls
  
  Bass and Treble
- Tone Bypass and Input Assign
  
  Yes
- RS232 Control Input
  
  Yes
- Power Control Output
  
  1 Main, 2 Trigger
- Rear Panel Data Port
  
  4
- Rear Panel IR Sensor Input
  
  Yes
General Specifications
- Multi-Chassis or Single
  
  Single, two layer
- Output Meters
  
  No
- Vacuum Tube or Solid State
  
  Solid State
- Power Consumption (On)
  
  30 Watts
Weights & Dimensions
- Unit Dimensions (W x H x D)
  
  17.5" (44.45cm) x 6" (15.2cm) x 18" (45.72cm)
- Unit Weight
  
  23 lbs (10.4 kg)
- Shipping Weight
  
  37.5 lbs (17 kg)

Downloads

Product Literature	User Documents	Software Updates
C49 Preamplifier Brochure (1.38 MB)	C49 Preamplifier Owner's Manual (5.12 MB) C49 Preamplifier Input, Output and Control Connection Diagrams (1.44 MB) C49 Preamplifier Passthru and Rear Panel Connections (0.86 MB) C49 Preamplifier Input Assignment Chart (0.13 MB) Important Additional Operation Information Guide - Lithium Batteries (4.91 MB)	For units with DA1 Digital Audio Module: 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) For units with DA2 Digital Audio Module: McIntosh USB Audio Windows Driver I v1.8 (compatible with Windows 8, 8.1 and 10) (2.11 MB) For units with DA2 Digital Audio Module: McIntosh USB Audio Windows Driver I v1.5 (compatible with Windows 7) (2.1 MB)