McINTOSH C49 - 2 Channel Solid State Preamplifier - NEW!

PLEASE CHECK AVAILABILITY BEFORE CONFIRMING YOUR PURCHASE! Our stock can change any minute – we sell through various sales channels.

Brand New! – Closed Box
We are authorised dealers of the finest audio gear and musical instruments.

Note 1: Free shipping within EU. Shipping price to any other country is an estimate. Please message us for specific shipping price to your particular location.
Note 2: This product is custom ordered, please check availability and/or eventual shipping delay.
Note 3: This product is factory set for 230V.
Note 4: We sell without taxes anywhere outside Europe and to valid VAT ID companies inside Europe. Please ask us your price without Tax in those cases.
Note 5: We can quote any kind of bundle with our products at the most convenient prices. Just visit our store and ask for it.

McINTOSH C49 2-Channel Solid State Preamplifier

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

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. 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.
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.

Specifications

• • Number of Channels2
  • Total Harmonic Distortion0.005%
  • 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
• • Balanced Input2
  • Unbalanced Input3
  • Phono Input Moving Coil1 (adjustable)
  • Phono Input Moving Magnet1 (adjustable)
  • Upgradeable Digital Audio ModuleYes: DA1
  • Digital Coaxial Input2
  • Digital Optical Input2
  • Digital MCT Input1
  • Digital USB Input1
  • HDMI (ARC) Input0
  • Digital AES/EBU Input0
  • Balanced Fixed Output0
  • Balanced Variable Output2
  • Unbalanced Fixed Output1
  • Unbalanced Variable Output2
  • Headphone Output1/4" High Drive with Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD®)
  • Input Level MatchYes, +/- 6dB
  • Home Theater PassThruYes
  • Unbalanced Analog Connector TypeStandard
  • Service Port1
  • Network Connection0
• • Tone ControlsBass and Treble
  • Tone Bypass and Input AssignYes
  • RS232 Control InputYes
  • Power Control Output1 Main, 2 Trigger
  • Rear Panel Data Port4
  • Rear Panel IR Sensor InputYes
• • Multi-Chassis or SingleSingle, two layer
  • Output MetersNo
  • Vacuum Tube or Solid StateSolid State
  • Power Consumption (On)30 Watts
• • Unit Dimensions (W x H x D)17.5" (44.45cm) x 6" (15.2cm) x 18" (45.72cm)
  • Unit Weight23 lbs (10.4 kg)
  • Shipping Weight37.5 lbs (17 kg)