New McIntosh Open Chassis Valve Pre and Solid-State Power Amps
McIntosh's latest open chassis duo combines valve luxury and solid-state power.
McIntosh takes the wraps off the C8 Vacuum Tube Preamplifier (£4,295) and MC830 Solid State Amplifier (£4,995 each). Their 'open chassis' design follows the retro-styled MA252 and MA352 integrated amplifiers, which themselves took design cues from the MC275 Vacuum Tube Amplifier.
They may have stolen their mid-century styling cues, but this is a very modern duo. Here you're offered direct turntable connectivity via MM and MC phono inputs, digital readiness for McIntosh's (optional) multi-input DA2 DAC module, plus a high-quality headphone amplifier.
C8 Vacuum Tube Preamplifier
The C8 Vacuum Tube Preamplifier is powered by four 12AX7a valves, housed inside the unmistakably McIntosh protective cages.
The C8 boasts both balanced and unbalanced inputs, as well as that phono stage with adjustable loading. Bass and treble tone controls help with different environments, whereas the nameable inputs will help you find your away around the amp. You can even add a powered subwoofer.
If you choose to add McIntosh's optional DA2 Digital Audio Module to the package, you get seven digital inputs, too. As well as the proprietary MCT (for use with McIntosh's line of SACD/CD transports), the module brings two coaxial, two optical, one USB, and one audio-only HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC) connection.
McIntosh's High Drive headphone amplifier is included and promises to drive most cans. Finally, the C8 also offers Home Theater Pass Through, enabling the amp to be integrated into home cinema systems. Plus its Data Ports can send remote control commands to connected source components.
MC830 Solid State Amplifier
The MC830 (monoblock) is a powerful solid-state amplifier and sports the iconic Dual Scale Watt meter readout of power output; the MC830's direct-coupled output design offers 300 watts (8 Ohms).
The amp benefits from both balanced and unbalanced inputs and features several proprietary McIntosh technologies. For instance, the MC830's Power Guard tech monitors the amplifier's output signal to protect against overdrive; if necessary, the amplifier makes real-time micro-adjustments to the input signal to prevent clipping (distortion).
Additionally, Sentry Monitor's fuse-less short-circuit protection disengages the MC830's output stage before the current exceeds safe operating levels; it resets automatically when operating conditions return to normal.
Orders can be placed now for the C8 priced £4,295 and MC830 at £4,995 (each) with shipping expected to begin in October.
Visit McIntosh For More Details
Jay Garrett
StereoNET’s resident rock star, bass player, and gadget junkie. Jay heads up StereoNET as Editor for the United Kingdom and Europe regions. His passion for gadgets and Hi-Fi is second only to being a touring musician.
Posted in: Hi-Fi
JOIN IN THE DISCUSSION
Want to share your opinion or get advice from other enthusiasts? Then head into the Message
Forums where thousands of other enthusiasts are communicating on a daily basis.
CLICK HERE FOR FREE MEMBERSHIP
Trending
applause awards
Each time StereoNET reviews a product, it is considered for an Applause Award. Winning one marks it out as a design of great quality and distinction – a special product in its class, on the grounds of either performance, value for money, or usually both.
Applause Awards are personally issued by StereoNET’s global Editor-in-Chief, David Price – who has over three decades of experience reviewing hi-fi products at the highest level – after consulting with our senior editorial team. They are not automatically given with all reviews, nor can manufacturers purchase them.
The StereoNET editorial team includes some of the world’s most experienced and respected hi-fi journalists with a vast wealth of knowledge. Some have edited popular English language hi-fi magazines, and others have been senior contributors to famous audio journals stretching back to the late 1970s. And we also employ professional IT and home theatre specialists who work at the cutting edge of today’s technology.
We believe that no other online hi-fi and home cinema resource offers such expert knowledge, so when StereoNET gives an Applause Award, it is a trustworthy hallmark of quality. Receiving such an award is the prerequisite to becoming eligible for our annual Product of the Year awards, awarded only to the finest designs in their respective categories. Buyers of hi-fi, home cinema, and headphones can be sure that a StereoNET Applause Award winner is worthy of your most serious attention.