McIntosh C2200 All Tube Analog Preamplifier, Serviced

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General:
This is just about the last iteration of this series preamp before they added a DAC. Most purists do not want noisy digital circuitry in their analog tube preamp. 

Wonderful classic looks with modern circuitry and the convenience of a remote. Also has a very capable built-in tube phono section to accommodate just about any turntable.  

The current iteration of this tube preamp, the C2700, will set you back $8500. Perhaps justifiable if you're also looking for a great DAC and you don't mind having it all in one unit.

Brand Background:
McIntosh Laboratory is an American manufacturer of handcrafted high-end audio equipment based in Binghamton, New York. The company was founded in 1949 by Frank McIntosh. The company designs and produces audio amplifiers, stereo tuners and other consumer electronics products. 

McIntosh is known for offering distinguished home audio systems that deliver the ultimate experience in music and film. Offering products for two-channel stereo sound systems and multi-channel home theaters with surround sound, McIntosh continues to define the ultimate home audio entertainment experience for discriminating listeners around the world. Our iconic blue Watt output meter is globally recognized as a symbol of quality home audio. With a McIntosh home stereo system or home theater, listeners have the ability to create their own luxury audio experience – and truly live their music.

Cosmetic Notes:
This era of McIntosh production features incandescent lamp lighting which discolors that meters over time by overheating the plastic within the meters themselves. We have replaced the meters, acetate, and light boxes with new parts sourced from the McIntosh factory. We also opted to change the meter and front panel lighting to LED to prevent burn in and plastic damage from happening again in the future. The right and left meters have had the same parts installed but there is a slight color discrepancy between the meters likely due to minor production variation in the meters themselves.

Light marks on top metal bezel of faceplate. Small patch with paint repair surrounding master power switch. Power On/Off text no longer present.

Technical Notes:
This unit was fully retubed. We used four NOS GE 6201 (12AT7) tubes and four current production strong Sovtek 12AX7WT+

The original remotes from this era aged terribly, so we'll supply a brand new modern remote which is sleeker and more comfortable to use. The McIntosh HR093 fresh from the factory.

McIntosh Performance Features Include:
• Multichannel Pass Thru Mode
The Input Assignable, Automatic Pass Thru Mode allows
the C2200 to become part of a Multichannel Sound System for DVD-Audio, SACD and Home Theater. The Left and Right Channels of the C2200 become the two front chan- nels, simply by turning on the Multichannel Processor.
• Output Switching
Front panel Output Push-buttons control two Switched Out-
puts that allow sending signals to two separate Power Am- plifiers.
• Balanced Inputs and Outputs
Four balanced high level Inputs and three balanced Outputs are provided.
• Tone Control with Assignable Bypass
The Bass and Treble Control Circuit Elements can be re- moved from the Signal Path of any selected input.

Ownership:
Single Owner

Connections:
There are six pair of outputs - three balanced, three unbalanced.

General Sound:
Neutral sound with little to no coloration

Cosmetic Condition:
8. See our detailed rating description here.

Working Condition:
Working perfectly and tested in our lab and listening room.

Included:
Unit, remote, and power cord.

Packing:
Original Manufacturers Packing

Reviews:
Click Here

Dimensions:
17" wide by 7-1/8" high, 14" deep.

Weight:
27 lbs.

Link to Manual:
Click Here

Recommended Cables:

Kimber Kable - RCA Interconnects - Better

Kimber Kable - RCA Interconnects - Best 

Kimber Kable - Phono Interconnects - Better

Kimber Kable - Flagship Phono Interconnects - Best

Kimber Kable - BALANCED XLR Connectors - Better

Kimber Kable - BALANCED XLR Connectors - Best

Kimber Kable - Power Cords - Better

Kimber Kable - Power Cords - Best

We start with a visual inspection of all internal components to make sure that there are no signs of heat stress or damage. Capacitors are checked for telltale signs of predictive failure including bulging, shrunken wrappers, or physical leakage. We also inspect the PCB’s for discoloration from resistors or transistors that may have been running hot. On vintage units we often spot check select capacitors for value and ESR.

When we first power on a preamplifier we connect its RCA output to a Sencore PA81 Power Analyzer which simulates real world loading conditions and gives us an oscilloscope interface. The first order of business is checking that the volume control works smoothly throughout its entire range with acceptable channel balance. This is accomplished by feeding a 1KHz sine wave into one of the preamp’s line level inputs while monitoring the preamp’s output on an oscilloscope. We then switch to a 1KHz square wave to test the tone controls, loudness function, and filters where applicable. During this step we are watching for equal alteration of the test signal by both channels. This also helps us identify dirty controls that will need treatment. Once the basic line stage functions are verified, we test each input individually. This is especially important for devices that use relays to select their sources. If the preamp is equipped with a phono stage we test that as well. We use an inverse RIAA filter which allows us to feed a reference test signal into the phono input with the proper RIAA equalization and level. A square wave or sine sweep is used to verify that the device’s phono stage is faithfully reproducing the RIAA curve. If the preamp under test has balanced inputs and/or outputs these are tested as well.

We finish up our bench testing with a listening test with our bench amplifier and reference speakers. During this test we check for hum or hiss that may not have shown up in earlier testing. We also check that all of the tone controls and filters perform as expected. If the preamplifier has remote control functions these are also tested. Preamps with tube circuits or complicated power supply topologies are connected at our long term test rig for extended stress testing under real world conditions.