McIntosh MC830 Amplifier and C8 Preamplifier

C8

2-Channel Vacuum Tube Preamplifier

5 analog inputs (1 balanced, 2 unbalanced, 2 phono)
(4) 12AX7a vacuum tubes
High Drive headphone amplifier
Optional dealer installed upgrade to DA2 Digital Audio Module available

FIND A DEALER

Eligible for online purchase?

3 Year Limited Warranty

Add to WishlistRemove From Wishlist

Print this page

COMPARE

Ask an Expert

C8

2-Channel Vacuum Tube Preamplifier

3 Year Limited Warranty

Print this page

COMPARE

Ask an Expert

Add to WishlistRemove From Wishlist

FIND A DEALER

McIntosh MC830 Amplifier, C8 Preamplifier and MCD85 SACD/CD Player — A pair of MC830 Amplifiers with the matching C8 Preamplifier, MCD85 SACD/CD Player, and XR100 Speakers. All units sold separately.

The C8 Vacuum Tube Preamplifier has an open chassis industrial design similar to our popular MC275 Vacuum Tube Amplifier, and MA252 and MA352 Integrated Amplifiers. When combined with an amplifier (like the matching MC830 Amplifier), source components such as a turntable, CD player (see the matching MCD85 SACD/CD Player) or streaming music player, and a pair of speakers, it can help deliver a lifelike audio experience in your home.

Similarly sized to our MA252 Integrated Amplifier, the C8 is powered by four 12AX7a vacuum tubes housed inside stylish protective cages. For inputs, the C8 comes with 1 balanced and 2 unbalanced analog inputs, plus 1 Moving Coil and 1 Moving Magnet phono inputs with adjustable loading to play cherished vinyl collections. All inputs can be given user-friendly names in order to simplify user control. Bass and treble tone controls help fine tune your music to your personal preferences. For outputs, it has 1 balanced and 2 unbalanced; 1 of the unbalanced outputs can be configured as a subwoofer output for use with a powered subwoofer to further enhance low frequencies.

McIntosh DA2 Digital Audio Module — Example of the DA2 Digital Audio Module installed.

While the C8 does not come equipped with any digital inputs, it is digital-audio-ready as our DA2 Digital Audio Module can be installed in it. Adding the DA2 is an optional dealer installed upgrade. The DA2 has 7 digital inputs: 2 coax, 2 optical, 1 USB, 1 MCT (for use with our MCT500 or MCT80 SACD/CD Transport), and 1 audio-only HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC)¹ connection. The DA2 is powered by a next generation, Quad Balanced, 8-channel, 32-bit Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC). Its audiophile-grade DAC is highlighted by improved dynamic range and improved total harmonic distortion. For high resolution audio playback, the USB input can support native playback of up to DSD512 and DXD up to 384kHz, and the coax and optical inputs can decode digital music up to 24-bit/192kHz.

For personal listening, the C8 comes with our High Drive headphone amplifier that has plenty of power and flexibility to drive a wide range of headphones. Power Control ports allow for easy system power up and shutdown by sending power on/off signals to other connected McIntosh components. The user selectable Auto Off feature will turn the C8 off after 30 minutes when there's been no user input or if no audio signal has been detected. Home Theater Pass Through allows the C8 to be seamlessly integrated into your home theater system, and Data Ports can send remote control commands to connected source components.

Input selection, bass, treble, tone bypass, balance and input offset levels can be adjusted using the front panel knobs or the included remote control; all settings, volume level, and input selection will be shown on the front panel display. The C8 sits atop a stainless steel chassis that's polished to a mirror finish; classic McIntosh-styled die cast aluminum name badges are attached to each side. It has a black glass front panel with silver trim, an illuminated logo, and rotary control knobs. Contact your local dealer to learn more.

1) The HDMI ARC input will only play audio from a compatible TV. It will not pass video to or from a TV, or play audio from any non-TV source.

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)
  
  95dB
- Signal To Noise Ratio (Moving Coil)
  
  75dB
- Signal To Noise Ratio (Moving Magnet)
  
  80dB
- Voltage Gain (High Level)
  
  15dB
- Voltage Gain (Moving Coil)
  
  75dB
- Voltage Gain (Moving Magnet)
  
  55dB
- Input Impedance (Balanced / Unbalanced)
  
  44K ohm, 22K ohm
Connectivity
- Balanced Input
  
  1
- Unbalanced Input
  
  2
- Phono Input Moving Coil
  
  1 (adjustable)
- Phono Input Moving Magnet
  
  1 (adjustable)
- Upgradeable Digital Audio Module
  
  Yes: DA2 can be installed
- Digital Coaxial Input
  
  0
- Digital Optical Input
  
  0
- Digital MCT Input
  
  0
- Digital USB Input
  
  0
- HDMI (ARC) Input
  
  0
- Digital AES/EBU Input
  
  0
- Balanced Fixed Output
  
  0
- Balanced Variable Output
  
  1
- Unbalanced Fixed Output
  
  0
- Unbalanced Variable Output
  
  2
- Headphone Output
  
  1/4" High Drive
- 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
  
  2
- Rear Panel IR Sensor Input
  
  Yes
General Specifications
- Multi-Chassis or Single
  
  Single
- Output Meters
  
  No
- Vacuum Tube or Solid State
  
  Vacuum Tube
- Power Consumption (On)
  
  50 Watts
Weights & Dimensions
- Unit Dimensions (W x H x D)
  
  12-9/32" (31.2cm) x 7-5/8" (19.4cm) x 16-1/4" (41.3cm)
- Unit Weight
  
  18 lbs (8.2 kg)
- Shipping Weight
  
  25 lbs (11.3 kg)

Downloads

Product Literature	User Documents	Software Updates
C8 Preamplifier Brochure (1.56 MB)	C8 Preamplifier Owner's Manual (5.4 MB)	For units with DA2 Digital Audio Module: McIntosh USB Audio Windows Driver I v1.8 (compatible with Windows 8, 10 and 11) (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)