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Home / Preamplifiers / C49
McIntosh C49 Preamplifier
McIntosh C49 Preamplifier
McIntosh C49 Preamplifier
McIntosh C49 Preamplifier
McIntosh C49 Preamplifier
McIntosh C49 Preamplifier

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
Share
Add to WishlistRemove From Wishlist
BUY ONLINE FIND A DEALER
  • Part-Time Audiophile Editors Choice Award Ribbon
  • Roon Tested logo

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.

McIntosh C49 Preamplifier

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. As a Roon Tested partner, McIntosh has provided equipment to Roon for testing with a variety of different operating systems and computers, and shared information about its design and capabilities.

McIntosh C49 Preamplifier

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 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 v1.9 (compatible with Windows 8, 10 and 11) (2.54 MB)
    • For units with DA2 Digital Audio Module: McIntosh USB Audio Windows Driver I v1.5 (compatible with Windows 7) (2.1 MB)
McIntosh SoHo II home audio music system

C49 is also part of the SoHo II Music System

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2-Channel Solid State Preamplifier

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