C12000 2-Channel Solid State and Vacuum Tube Preamplifier
C12000-AN (75th Anniversary): £20990
C12000: £18990
75th Anniversary Edition available in 2024 (limited to 75 units per country)
Includes our Hybrid Drive™ technology that uses the best of vacuum tubes and solid state to produce the best sound performance
Separate audio & control sections
12 analogue inputs, including two configurable phono inputs
Offers both solid-state and vacuum tube output
Fully balanced circuitry
Maximum Control and Configurability.
The C12000 Preamplifier is the next generation of our acclaimed two-chassis preamplifier design. The two-chassis design separates the audio section from the control and power sections. The absolute isolation of a preamplifier's two main functions – control and sound – is achieved by this unusual but effective design. Splitting these primary purposes of a preamplifier up into separate chassis will deliver the purest sound reproduction possible.
The C12000 comprises the C12000 Controller module and the C12000 Preamplifier module. All power control, data ports, and external control connections are located in the C12000 Controller. Dual isolated power supplies drive the left and right channels, while a dual microprocessor gives robustness to the control system. The C12000 Preamplifier houses the audio connections and circuitry. Inside each, the left and right channels are electrically and mechanically isolated from each other to allow true dual mono operation – resulting in the ultimate stereo separation and sonic purity. The two units are connected via a pair of specially designed, high-performance umbilical cables shielded to prevent outside noise from leaking into the audio signal. Although they are two separate units, when connected, they act as one and are easy to control and operate from the included remote control or the C12000 Controller front panel.
The home audio stereo system comprised of the C12000 and MC3500 Mk II "simply sounds natural. Listen to it and you'll discover that you are listening to music — pure, simple, unadulterated music. It's not 'bright' or 'hard' or 'soft' or 'warm' or 'euphonic'… it’s just as you'd expect music to sound: natural." Named Stereo Preamplifier and Power Amplifier of the Year 2023. - Australian Hi-Fi Magazine
A total of 12 analogue inputs1 are located in the C12000 Preamplifier module: six balanced, four unbalanced, and two unbalanced phono inputs. The phono inputs are no longer set up as dedicated for Moving Coil or Moving Magnet cartridges; instead, both are configurable as either Moving Coil or Moving Magnet with adjustable Capacitance and Resistance Loading, along with adjustable Gain in 6dB steps from 40dB to 64dB. This allows you to configure the C12000 to fit best your turntable(s), cartridge(s), and vinyl record collection.
The C12000 includes our Hybrid Drive™ technology that uses the best vacuum tubes and solid state to produce the best sound performance. The C12000 Preamplifier module offers both vacuum tube and solid-state output, allowing you to decide which to use based on the music being played, the audio components in the rest of your home audio system, and your sound preferences. Discrete amplifiers drive all outputs. Six tubes or valves power the high-level preamplifier section for vacuum tube output with two 12AT7 tubes and one 12AX7A tube assigned to each the left and right channel. Solid state output is via a discrete balanced op-amp.
"My time auditioning the C12000 was memorable. Considering its flexibility, whatever your priorities, now and in the future, the McIntosh C12000 2-Channel Solid State and Vacuum Tube Preamplifier merits close consideration if you can swing the price. I bought the review sample. Definitively Class A." - Stereophile
The 12AX7A and 12AT7 vacuum tubes that power the high-level section are visible through the front of the C12000 Preamplifier module.
Regardless if you choose the vacuum tube or solid-state output, the phono stage utilizes four 12AX7A vacuum tubes, with two tubes used per channel in a fully balanced configuration that incorporates RIAA equalization.
The four 12AX7A vacuum tubes that power the phono stage are visible from the top of the C12000 Preamplifier module.
For connecting the C12000 to your amplifier(s) and the rest of your home music system, there are four total outputs: one balanced vacuum tube; one balanced, solid-state; one fixed unbalanced; and one programmable unbalanced (can be either vacuum tube or solid-state). The amount of user adjustments available on the two phono inputs and all the outputs represent a new level of customization in McIntosh preamplifier design, allowing maximum flexibility in how you want to configure your audio system.
"Not only is the C12000 a very quiet preamplifier, it also offers very low levels of distortion and very high maximum output levels… With both its line and phono inputs, the McIntosh C12000's measured performance is among the best I have encountered from a preamplifier." - Stereophile
The amplifier circuit has a high common mode rejection, so any noise introduced by interconnect cables is significantly reduced. Our high output High Drive headphone jack is included for personal listening, while the user-selectable Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD®) brings added depth and spatiality to your music. The C12000 can seamlessly integrate into your existing multi-channel home theatre system via the Home Theater Pass-Through feature.
The C12000 preamplifier employs fully balanced circuitry to match the level of performance achieved in any of our Quad Balanced amplifiers. The C12000 Controller and C12000 Preamplifier chassis are made from stainless steel polished to a mirror finish plus hairline brushed black Titanium stainless steel, offering enhanced richness and refinement.
With classic McIntosh black glass front panels, blue meters, knobs, stainless steel chassis, illuminated logos, and custom machined brushed aluminium handles, the C12000 makes a visual statement in addition to its audio prowess. It can be paired with a variety of McIntosh amplifiers, speakers, room correction devices, CD players, turntables, tuners, media streamers and other source components to make a complete home audio system.
C12000 2-Channel Solid State and Vacuum Tube Preamplifier ELECTRONIC SPECIFICATIONS
Voltage Gain (Moving Coil):
58 – 64dB
Total Harmonic Distortion:
High Level: 0.005%
Phono: 0.05%
Sensitivity High Level (Balanced / Unbalanced):
900mV / 450mV
Signal To Noise Ratio (High Level):
107dB
Voltage Gain (High Level):
15dB
Input Impedance (Balanced / Unbalanced):
50K ohms, 25K ohms
Frequency Response
+0, -0.5dB from 20Hz to 20kHz
+0, -3dB from 10Hz to 100kHz
Number of Channels:
2
Maximum Volts Out (Balanced / Unbalanced):
20V RMS / 10V RMS
Sensitivity Phono (Moving Magnet):
5 – 10mV
Signal To Noise Ratio (Moving Magnet):
83dB
Voltage Gain (Moving Magnet):
40 – 46dB
Sensitivity Phono (Moving Coil):
0.25 – 2.5mV
Signal To Noise Ratio (Moving Coil):
79dB
WARRANTY PARTS AND LABOUR:
3 Years
CONNECTIVITY SPECIFICATIONS
Balanced Input:
6
Phono Input Moving Magnet:
Up to 2 (unit has 2 Phono inputs; each is user configurable as either Moving Coil or Moving Magnet)
Digital Optical Input:
0
HDMI (ARC) Input:
0
Balanced Variable Output:
2 (1 for Solid State, 1 for Vacuum Tube)
Headphone Output:
1/4" High Drive with Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD®)
Selectable headphone impedances of: 16 ohms - 40 ohms, 40 - 150 ohms, 150 - 600 ohms
Unbalanced Analog Connector Type:
Premium gold-plated solid brass
Unbalanced INPUT:
4
Upgradeable Digital Audio Module:
No
Digital MCT Input:
0
Digital AES/EBU Input:
0
Unbalanced Fixed Output:
1
Input Level Match:
Yes, +/- 6dB
Service Port:
1
Phono Input Moving Coil:
Up to 2 (unit has 2 Phono inputs; each is user configurable as either Moving Coil or Moving Magnet)
Digital Coaxial Input:
0
Digital USB Input:
0
BALANCED FIXED OUTPUT:
0
UNBALANCED VARIABLE OUTPUT:
1
Home Theater PassThru:
Yes
CONTROL SPECIFICATIONS
Tone Controls:
No
Power Control Output:
1 Main, 2 Output, 4 Trigger
Tone Bypass and Input Assign:
No
Rear Panel Data Port:
8
RS232 Control Input:
Yes
Rear Panel IR Sensor Input:
Yes
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
Multi-Chassis or Single:
Multi Chassis (C12000C plus C12000ST)
Power Consumption (On):
75 watts
Output Meters:
C12000C: No
C12000ST: Yes
Vacuum Tube or Solid State:
Both (user selectable)
Weights & DIMENSIONS
Unit Dimensions (W x H x D):
Each module: 17.5" (44.45cm) x 6" (15.24cm) x 18" (45.7cm)
Unit Weight:
C12000C: 27 lbs (12.3 kg)
C12000ST: 25 lbs (11.3 kg)
SHIPPING Weight:
C12000C: 42 lbs (19.5 kg)
C12000ST: 40 lbs (17.7 kg)