McIntosh C2300 All Analog Tube Preamp With Special Gold Metalwork

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This is my second favorite Neo-vintage preamp from McIntosh after the 2-piece C1100.

You see, a decade or so ago, McIntosh started to include built in DACs with all their preamplifiers. I get it, most folks don't use turntables and CD players these days, and having a DAC built-in is super convenient.

However, I'm not a fan of built in DACs as they quickly become outdated and tend to be a bit noisy. This is the last of the one-piece McIntosh tube preamps without a DAC. It is beautifully constructed, super quiet, and full of features.

Features like tape loops, multiple outputs, solid MM+MC phono section, trigger controls for other Mc pieces, and the big blue meters we all lust after.

It even has a cool window on top where you can view the tubes all lit up.

Best of all we took this C2300 to the next level in looks by applying a set of authentic gold plated controls, just like the anniversary model. We thought it looks terrific next to our anniversary edition MC75 monoblocks as shown in one or two of the pictures.

*Please note the MC75 amps are not included in this listing but here is a link to complete the set.

Lastly we upgraded the remote with a brand new model fresh from the factory that is much sleeker and and feels better in the hand.

Cosmetic condition is an 8/10 which is the highest rating we designate for a pre-owned piece. Super clean with very little signs of use.

It's working perfectly and was fully certified in our lab, and on our long term testing bench.

This is a complete collector set including the original indestructible double box, remote control, and manual.

Click below to add our recommended matching cables from Kimber Kable, all brand new as SkyFi is an official Kimber dealer.

Summit Series Silver Streak Analog Interconnects (PAIR) - BALANCED XLR Connectors

Summit Series Silver Streak Analog Interconnects (PAIR) - RCA Ultraplate or WBT Connectors

Kimber Kable - Tonearm Interconnects - Better

Kimber Kable - Flagship Tonearm Interconnects - Best

Kimber Kable - Base Series PK14 Power Cord - Brand New

More from McIntosh:

The C2300 tube preamplifier delivers a new level of performance and value. Potent engineering enhancements combine with smart, user-programmable features to deliver a truly extraordinary audio preamplifier.

The two phono preamplifiers, moving coil and moving magnet, are both 12AX7A tube based. Programmable Load and Resistance is selectable by remote control so the adjust- ments can be made from the listening position.

Bass and Treble controls are also adjustable by remote control. Individual tone settings and mono/stereo may be stored in memory for each of the 8 inputs. Tone Bypass may also be assigned which completely removes the tone controls from any designated input.

The C2300 is both beautiful to look at as well as listen to. The custom top cover features a silk-screened glass window which reveals a unique, slant-mount tube array. With its classic McIntosh glass faceplate, twin blue output meters and ergonomically pleasing rotary controls, the C2300 is poised to serve as the centerpiece of any fine music system.

EIGHT PROGRAMMABLE SOURCE SELECTIONS
All eight source elections accommodate unbalanced inputs while four of the either also accommodate balanced inputs. Any of 12 standard names can be assigned to a source selection and the panel display can be customized to indicate only available sources.

SILENT ELECTROMAGNETIC SWITCHING
Signal routing is accomplished through digitally controlled electromagnet switching devices. Precision switch contacts, isolated from environmental contamination inside inert gas-filled glass tubes, provide the most reliable, quietest and lowest distortion switching
possible.

VRV (VARIABLE RATE VOLUME) DIGIALLY CONTROLLED ATTENUATOR
The output attenuator controls volume over 214 steps of .5dB each with accuracy within .1dB. The volume vs. rotation rate varies as preamplifier gain varies and attenuation changes occur at eh zero crossings of the audio signal to prevent audible artifacts during adjustment.

Specifications:
FREQUENCY RESPONSE
+0, -0.50dB from 20Hz to 20kHz +0
-1dB from 10Hz to 100kHz

RATED OUTPUT
Balanced: 5VRMS at MAIN, 1 and 2
Unbalanced: 2.5VRMS at MAIN, 1 and 2

OUTPUT IMPEDANCE
250 Ohms

MAXIMUM VOLTAGE OUTPUT
Balanced: 16VRMS at MAIN, 1 and 2
Unbalanced: 8VRMS at MAIN, 1 and 2

TOTAL HARMONIC DISTORTION
0.08% maximum from 20Hz to 20kHz

SENSITIVITY
Phono, MC: 0.45mV for 2.5V
Phono, MM: 4.5mV for 2.5V
High Level: 450mV for 2.5V

SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO (A-Rated)
Phono: 80dB
High Level: 93dB

MAXIMUM INPUT SIGNAL
Phono, MC: 5mV
Phono, MM: 50mV
High Level: 5V Balanced

INPUT IMPEDANCE
Phono: MC: 25, 50, 100, 200, 500, or 1000 Ohms
MM: 47k Ohms, 50 to 750pF, 50pF steps
High Level:
Balanced: 40k Ohms
Unbalanced: 20k Ohms

VOLTAGE GAIN
Phono, Moving Coil to Record Output: 60dB
Phono, Moving Magnet to Record Output: 40dB
High Level to Record Output: 0dB
High Level to Main Output: 15dB

OVERALL DIMENSIONS (H x W x D)
7-1/8” (18.1 cm) X 17-1/2” (44.4 cm) X 14-1/2”
(36.8 cm) including clearance for connectors.
Knob clearance in front of the mounting panel is 3⁄4” (1.9 cm)

WEIGHT
29.5 lbs (13.41 kg) net
44.9 lbs. (20.41 kg) in shipping carton

McIntosh C2300 Owners Manual

The SkyFi Testing Process for Preamplifiers:

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 PCBs 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.