C49 2-Channel Solid State Preamplifier
C49: £6495
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
Be prepared for future digital music technologies with the C49 Preamplifier. The C49 features our DA1 Digital Audio Module, which new modules can replace 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 analogue, it has 2 balanced and 3 unbalanced, along with 2 phono inputs (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. (Optional dealer-installed upgrade to the DA2 Digital Audio Module.) 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 nor lows are inadvertently turned off. Your audio sources can be fine-tuned via the bass and treble tone controls. The C49 can seamlessly integrate into your home theatre 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 aluminium 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.
C49 2-Channel Solid State Preamplifier ELECTRONIC SPECIFICATIONS
Voltage Gain (Moving Coil):
60dB
Total Harmonic Distortion:
0.005%
Sensitivity High Level (Balanced / Unbalanced):
900mV / 450mV
Signal To Noise Ratio (High Level):
100dB
Voltage Gain (High Level):
15dB
Input Impedance (Balanced / Unbalanced):
44K ohm, 22K ohm
Frequency Response
+0, -0.5dB from 20Hz to 20kHz
+0, -3dB from 15Hz to 100kHz
Number of Channels:
2
Maximum Volts Out (Balanced / Unbalanced):
16V RMS / 8V RMS
Sensitivity Phono (Moving Magnet):
5 – 10mV
Signal To Noise Ratio (Moving Magnet):
82dB
Voltage Gain (Moving Magnet):
40dB
Sensitivity Phono (Moving Coil):
0.45mV
Signal To Noise Ratio (Moving Coil):
80dB
WARRANTY PARTS AND LABOUR:
3 Years
CONNECTIVITY SPECIFICATIONS
Balanced Input:
2
Phono Input Moving Magnet:
1 (adjustable)
Digital Optical Input:
2
HDMI (ARC) Input:
0
Balanced Variable Output:
2
Headphone Output:
1/4" High Drive with Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD®)
Unbalanced Analog Connector Type:
Standard
Unbalanced INPUT:
3
Upgradeable Digital Audio Module:
Yes: DA1 Standard, DA2 Upgrade
Digital MCT Input:
1
Digital AES/EBU Input:
0
Unbalanced Fixed Output:
1
Input Level Match:
Yes, +/- 6dB
Service Port:
1
Phono Input Moving Coil:
1 (adjustable)
Digital Coaxial Input:
2
Digital USB Input:
1
BALANCED FIXED OUTPUT:
0
UNBALANCED VARIABLE OUTPUT:
2
Home Theater PassThru:
Yes
Network Connection:
No
CONTROL SPECIFICATIONS
Tone Controls:
Bass and Treble
Power Control Output:
1 Main, 2 Trigger
Tone Bypass and Input Assign:
Yes
Rear Panel Data Port:
4
RS232 Control Input:
Yes
Rear Panel IR Sensor Input:
Yes
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
Multi-Chassis or Single:
Single, two-layer
Power Consumption (On):
30 Watts
Output Meters:
No
Vacuum Tube or Solid State:
Solid State
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)