McIntosh C2700 2-Channel Vacuum Tube Preamplifier (RESERVED)

The McIntosh C2700 is a two-channel vacuum tube preamplifier designed to combine McIntosh’s established valve circuitry with extensive analogue and digital connectivity.

The C2700 provides connections for both analogue and digital sources, while its outputs can drive multiple power amplifiers. It incorporates separate Moving Magnet (MM) and Moving Coil (MC) phono preamplifier circuits, balanced and unbalanced connections, a digitally controlled precision volume system, and McIntosh’s DA2 Digital Audio Module.

Tube Complement

• 5 × 12AX7A
• 1 × 12AT7
• 6 tubes total

Analogue Inputs

• 3 × balanced inputs
• 4 × unbalanced inputs
• 1 × Moving Coil (MC) phono input
• 1 × Moving Magnet (MM) phono input

The MM and MC phono sections have selectable loading, with dedicated precision phono preamplifier circuits and RIAA equalisation.

Digital Inputs

The C2700 is equipped with the DA2 Digital Audio Module, providing seven digital inputs:

• 2 × coaxial
• 2 × optical
• 1 × USB
• 1 × MCT
• 1 × HDMI ARC

The HDMI ARC input is designed for audio from a compatible television and does not pass video.

Digital Audio

• Optical: PCM 16/24-bit, 44.1kHz–192kHz
• Coaxial: PCM 16/24-bit, 44.1kHz–192kHz
• MCT: PCM and SACD, 16/24-bit, 44.1kHz–192kHz
• USB: PCM 16/24/32-bit, 44.1kHz–384kHz
• DXD 352.8kHz / 384kHz
• DSD64, DSD128, DSD256 and DSD512
• HDMI: PCM 24-bit, 44.1kHz–192kHz
• DTS
• Dolby Digital

Volume Control

The C2700 uses a Precision Balanced Digitally Controlled Attenuator System with an optical encoder rotary control.

• 0.1dB channel tracking accuracy
• 214 individual 0.5dB volume steps
• Designed to provide noise-free volume adjustment

Tone Controls

• Electronic Bass and Treble controls
• Adjustment in precise 1dB steps
• Tone-control bypass available
• The C2700 remembers the tone-control bypass setting for each input

Headphone System

The C2700 incorporates McIntosh’s Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD®) circuitry.

HXD is designed to improve sound localisation when listening through headphones by restoring a directional component of the spatial soundstage normally experienced when listening through loudspeakers.

Home Theatre Integration

• Automatic PASSTHRU mode
• Allows the C2700 to be incorporated into a home theatre multichannel sound system

Outputs & Control

The C2700 provides both balanced and unbalanced outputs and is capable of driving multiple power amplifiers.

• Balanced and unbalanced outputs
• Main output: 5V balanced / 2.5V unbalanced
• Fixed output: 450mV
• Maximum output: 16V RMS balanced / 8V RMS unbalanced
• Output impedance: 200Ω balanced / 100Ω unbalanced
• Power Control and trigger outputs: 12V DC, 25mA

Balanced and unbalanced outputs can also be used simultaneously with different power amplifiers.

Performance

• Frequency Response: +0, -0.5dB from 20Hz – 20kHz
• Frequency Response: +0, -3dB from 15Hz – 100kHz
• Total Harmonic Distortion: 0.08% from 20Hz – 20kHz
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio, High Level: 100dB
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio, MM Phono: 82dB
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio, MC Phono: 80dB

Phono Specifications

Moving Magnet

• Input impedance: 47kΩ
• Capacitance: 50–800pF, selectable in 50pF steps
• Sensitivity: 4.5mV
• Maximum input signal: 80mV
• Gain to record output: 40dB

Moving Coil

• Input impedance: 25, 50, 100, 200, 400 or 1,000Ω
• Capacitance: 100pF
• Sensitivity: 0.45mV
• Maximum input signal: 8mV
• Gain to record output: 60dB

Construction & Design

The C2700 features McIntosh’s characteristic illuminated glass front panel combined with a stainless-steel chassis with Super Mirror finish.

The unit also uses a fully regulated power supply and a dedicated R-Core power transformer, designed to provide stable operation despite variations in the AC power line.

Physical Specifications

Dimensions (W × H × D):

• 17½” × 7⅝” × 18″
• 44.45 × 19.4 × 45.72cm

Net Weight:

• 13.4kg

Shipping Weight:

• 20.4kg

The McIntosh C2700 combines traditional vacuum-tube circuitry with a comprehensive digital platform. Its six-tube analogue section incorporates dedicated MM and MC phono stages, while the DA2 module provides extensive digital connectivity, including USB, MCT and HDMI ARC, with support extending to DSD512 and DXD 384kHz.

With balanced and unbalanced connectivity, precision digital volume control, electronic tone controls, HXD headphone processing and PASSTHRU functionality, the C2700 is designed to function as the central control component of both a high-end two-channel system and a hybrid music/home-theatre installation.

A two-channel vacuum tube preamplifier featuring six McIntosh valves, dedicated MM and MC phono stages, the DA2 Digital Audio Module, DSD512 support, HDMI ARC, balanced connectivity and McIntosh’s precision digitally controlled volume system.

Condition: Good

Colour: Black

Note: Product includes original packaging and remote (HR085)