McIntosh C12000 Solid State and Vacuum Tube Preamplifier

C12000 2-Channel Solid State and Vacuum Tube Preamplifier

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 analog inputs including 2 configurable phono inputs
Offers both solid state and vacuum tube output
Fully balanced circuitry

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3 Year Limited Warranty

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C12000 2-Channel Solid State and Vacuum Tube Preamplifier

3 Year Limited Warranty

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Ask an Expert

Add to WishlistRemove From Wishlist

Named Stereo Preamplifier of the Year 2023

Maximum Control and Configurability.

The C12000 Preamplifier is the next generation of our acclaimed two-chassis preamplifier design. The two-chassis design allows the audio section to be completely separated 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 is comprised of 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 together via a pair of specially designed, high performance umbilical cables that are 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 analog 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 provides maximum flexibility for you to configure the C12000 to best fit your turntable(s), cartridge(s), and vinyl record collection.

The C12000 includes our Hybrid Drive^™ technology that uses the best of 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. All outputs are driven by discrete amplifiers. For vacuum tube output, six tubes or valves power the high-level preamplifier section 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

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.

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 you 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. For personal listening, our high output High Drive headphone jack is included, while the user selectable Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD^®) brings an added depth and spatiality to your music. The C12000 can be seamlessly integrated into your existing multi-channel home theater 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. Both 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 an enhanced degree of richness and refinement.

With classic McIntosh black glass front panels, blue meters, knobs, stainless steel chassis, illuminated logos, and custom machined brushed aluminum 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. Contact your local dealer to learn more.

1) The C12000 does not include a direct interface to the D1100 Digital Preamplifier.

Specifications
Electronic Specifications
- Number of Channels
  
  2
- Total Harmonic Distortion
  
  High Level: 0.005%
  Phono: 0.05%
- Frequency Response
  
  +0, -0.5dB from 20Hz to 20kHz
  +0, -3dB from 10Hz to 100kHz
- Maximum Volts Out (Balanced / Unbalanced)
  
  20V RMS / 10V RMS
- Sensitivity High Level (Balanced / Unbalanced)
  
  900mV / 450mV
- Sensitivity Phono (Moving Coil)
  
  0.25 – 2.5mV
- Sensitivity Phono (Moving Magnet)
  
  5 – 10mV
- Signal To Noise Ratio (High Level)
  
  107dB
- Signal To Noise Ratio (Moving Coil)
  
  79dB
- Signal To Noise Ratio (Moving Magnet)
  
  83dB
- Voltage Gain (High Level)
  
  15dB
- Voltage Gain (Moving Coil)
  
  58 – 64dB
- Voltage Gain (Moving Magnet)
  
  40 – 46dB
- Input Impedance (Balanced / Unbalanced)
  
  50K ohms, 25K ohms
Connectivity
- Balanced Input
  
  6
- Unbalanced Input
  
  4
- Phono Input Moving Coil
  
  Up to 2 (unit has 2 Phono inputs; each is user configurable as either Moving Coil or Moving Magnet)
- Phono Input Moving Magnet
  
  Up to 2 (unit has 2 Phono inputs; each is user configurable as either Moving Coil or Moving Magnet)
- Upgradeable Digital Audio Module
  
  No
- Digital Coaxial Input
  
  0
- Digital Optical Input
  
  0
- Digital MCT Input
  
  0
- Digital USB Input
  
  0
- HDMI (ARC) Input
  
  0
- Digital AES/EBU Input
  
  0
- Balanced Fixed Output
  
  0
- Balanced Variable Output
  
  2 (1 for Solid State, 1 for Vacuum Tube)
- Unbalanced Fixed Output
  
  1
- Unbalanced Variable Output
  
  1
- 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
- Input Level Match
  
  Yes, +/- 6dB
- Home Theater PassThru
  
  Yes
- Unbalanced Analog Connector Type
  
  Premium gold-plated solid brass
- Service Port
  
  1
- Network Connection
  
  0
Control
- Tone Controls
  
  No
- Tone Bypass and Input Assign
  
  No
- RS232 Control Input
  
  Yes
- Power Control Output
  
  1 Main, 2 Output, 4 Trigger
- Rear Panel Data Port
  
  8
- Rear Panel IR Sensor Input
  
  Yes
General Specifications
- Multi-Chassis or Single
  
  Multi Chassis (C12000C plus C12000ST)
- Output Meters
  
  C12000C: No
  C12000ST: Yes
- Vacuum Tube or Solid State
  
  Both (user selectable)
- Power Consumption (On)
  
  75 watts
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)