The McIntosh C49 preamplifier features a classic design: black glass with polished aluminum inserts, a blue backlit screen and a shimmering green logo. On board the new product there is a digital module DA1, which provides a digital connection to the preamplifier, and over time it can be replaced with a more modern one.
This module is equipped with six inputs – a pair of optical and coaxial, as well as USB and proprietary MCT. An eight-channel 32-bit DAC operating in Quad Balanced mode and capable of working with DSD256 and DXD384 is responsible for processing the digital signal in the module. Of the analog inputs on the rear wall there are two balanced and three unbalanced, as well as separate phono inputs for MM and MC cartridges. For convenience, the user can name each input as he pleases.
The McIntosh C49 has five outputs – two balanced adjustable, two unbalanced adjustable and an unbalanced unregulated. The outputs are designed so that they can be conveniently used with speakers connected via biamping. To adjust the sound, there is a tone block with which you can adjust the bass and treble.
On the left of the front panel of the McIntosh C49 there is an input selector encoder knob, which also serves to select and activate various settings in the menu (adjusting balance, tones and input sensitivity, adjusting display brightness, selecting phono preamp load, mono/stereo mode, etc. ). On the right is a 214-step volume control knob (in 0.5 dB steps), which is also involved in selecting values for various menu settings. Below there are off/on buttons. tone control, sound and power supply/standby. On the left side you can find keys for activating the outputs and a 6.3 mm headphone amplifier jack equipped with HXD technology, which provides deeper and more spacious sound.
The preamplifier can be easily integrated into a home theater system. The Power Control system allows you to turn all McIntosh devices connected to the preamp on and off with a single button, and the Data Ports can send a control signal to sources. The model also received a built-in headphone amplifier with the proprietary HXD function – the connector is located on the front panel.
McIntosh C49 Specifications
Input impedance 44 kOhm (XLR), 22 kOhm (RCA), MM phono stage: 47 kOhm; capacitive load: from 50 to 800 pF; MC phono stage: 25, 50, 100, 200, 400 or 1000 ohms; 100 pF
Output impedance 200 ohms (XLR), 100 ohms (RCA)
Sensitivity 900 mV (XLR), 450 mV (RCA), 4.5 mV (MM), 0.45 mV (MC)
Maximum output voltage 16 V (XLR ), 8 V (RCA)
Gain 15 dB (regular inputs), 60 dB (MC phono), 40 dB (MM phono)
Harmonic distortion 0.003% Frequency response
20 Hz – 20 kHz (+ 0, – 0.5 dB), 10 Hz – 100 kHz (+ 0, – 3 dB)
Signal-to-noise ratio 100 dB
Headphone amplifier equipped with Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD) technology, permissible headphone impedance: 100-600 Ohm
Inputs 2 balanced XLR, 3 linear RCA , MM and MC phono inputs, coaxial (up to 24 bit/192 kHz), 2 optical (up to 24 bit/192 kHz), digital DIN connector for SACD/CD transport MCT (up to 24 bit/192 kHz), asynchronous USB port (PCM up to 32-bit/384 kHz, DXD 352.8 kHz, DXD 384 kHz, DSD64/128/256)
6.3 mm headphone outputs, 2 x balanced XLR, 2 x unbalanced RCA, fixed RCA
Other switching 2 trigger outputs, Main connector (3.5 mm), 3.5 mm Passthru connector, IR port, RS-232 interface (mini-jack), 4 DATA ports for connecting McIntosh components for control using a single remote control, ground terminal
Universal remote control HR085
Power consumption 30 W
Dimensions (WxHxD) 445x152x457 mm
Weight 10.4 kg
