{"product_id":"mcintosh-c2500-tube-preamplifier-w-new-remote","title":"McIntosh C2500 Tube Preamplifier - W\/ New Remote","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGeneral:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe C2500 is one of my all-time favorite preamplifiers from McIntosh, and I'm speaking from personal experience. This exact unit was the centerpiece of my main system for many years before I eventually upgraded to the flagship two-piece C1100.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhile the C1100 is a formidable tube preamp, and quite possibly the best-measuring preamplifier we've ever tested, the C2500 comes surprisingly close. One feature I still miss from the C2500 is the convenience of its built-in DAC, which McIntosh eliminated with the C1100.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe C2500 is also a gorgeous piece of equipment featuring McIntosh's signature illuminated glass front panel, a beautifully polished stainless steel chassis, and a glass viewing window on top that lets you admire the glowing tubes inside.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt's also incredibly versatile, with a built-in DAC for digital sources and an excellent tube-based phono section supporting both moving-magnet (MM) and moving-coil (MC) cartridges. Even demanding low-output MC cartridges can be accommodated without the need for an external phono preamp.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis particular C2500 performed beautifully during our testing and sounded every bit as good as I remember.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIf you're considering the current McIntosh C2800 which retails for $10,500, but would prefer to save a substantial amount without sacrificing much in the way of performance or features, the C2500 is a fantastic alternative.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIncluded with this preamplifier are its original McIntosh remote control (along with a brand-new replacement, as the original remotes tend to become sticky over time), owner's manual, and factory shipping box.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e*Note that the new remote control does not have a selection to switch to phono. This must be done at the front input selector (or old remote) Otherwise the new remote functions normally.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSkyFi Cosmetic Notes:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eExtremely light signs of wear. Nothing notable. Excellent shape overall.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMore From McIntosh: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e• Electromagnetic Input Switching with Level Trim Adjustment\u003cbr\u003eDigital Logic integrated circuits drive Electromag- netic Switches on all Inputs and operating functions for reliable, noiseless, distortion free switching. All eight Inputs on the C2500 can be matched in level, so there are no abrupt changes in volume levels between the different Inputs.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e• Moving Coil and Moving Magnet Phono Inputs\u003cbr\u003eThe C2500 contains two different precision Phono Preamplifier Circuits. One for low output Moving Coil Phono Cartridges with selectable resistance loading, the other is for Moving Magnet Cartridges with select- able capacitive loading. Both circuits use the latest designs to provide the lowest possible noise and dis- tortion. The RIAA Correction Equalization Circuitry utilizes close tolerance resistors and capacitors for an extremely flat frequency response.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e• Digital Audio Inputs\u003cbr\u003eThe C2500 has Coaxial, Optical and USB Digital In- puts to Decode PCM Signals from an external source. The C2500 Up Samples the Digital Signal to 192kHz with 32Bit resolution before the Digital to Analog process begins.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e• Balanced Inputs\u003cbr\u003eThe Balanced Inputs allow the connection of a source component using long cable lengths without a loss in sound quality.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e• Precision Tracking Volume Control\u003cbr\u003eVolume levels are controlled by a new Multi-Stage Precision Digitally Controlled Attenuator System with superb tracking accuracy.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e• Variable Rate Volume and Balance Controls\u003cbr\u003eThe C2500 Tube Preamplifier’s Volume and Balance Control Circuitry provides an ideal rate of change with control rotation.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e• Remote Control with External Sensor Input\u003cbr\u003eThe Remote Control provides control of the C2500 operating functions and McIntosh Source Components connected to it. Enjoy your McIntosh System from another room in your home by connecting an external sensor.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e• Special Power Supply\u003cbr\u003eFully regulated Power Supplies and a special R-Core Power Transformer ensure stable noise free operation even though the power line varies.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSkyFi Technical Notes:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe original remote for this unit has become sticky. It will be included with the preamp but we are also supplying a new HR093. The replacement remote works for must functions but does not have the ability to directly select the phono inputs.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBrand Background:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMcIntosh 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eOwnership:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSingle Owner\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eConnections:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eXLR inputs and outputs, Power control, IEC Power, RS232, Optical input,\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eGeneral Sound:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSmooth, uncolored, undistorted natural and clean\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCosmetic Condition:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e8\/10 = Very Good. Excellent front faceplate, one minor flaw on chassis side or top. See our detailed rating description \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/skyfiaudio.com\/pages\/our-rating-scale\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWorking Condition:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWorking perfectly and tested in our lab and listening room.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eIncluded:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUnit, 2x remotes, manual and power cord.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePacking:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOriginal Manufacturers Packing\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eOriginal MSRP:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e$6,500.00\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSpecs:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFrequency Response\u003cbr\u003e+0, -0.5dB from 20Hz to 20,000Hz \u003cbr\u003e+0, -3dB from 10Hz to 100,000Hz\u003cbr\u003eTotal Harmonic Distortion\u003cbr\u003e0.08% from 20Hz to 20,000Hz\u003cbr\u003eRated Output (Main)\u003cbr\u003e2.5V Unbalanced, 5V Balanced\u003cbr\u003eMaximum Output\u003cbr\u003e8V RMS Unbalanced, 16V RMS Balanced\u003cbr\u003eSensitivity (for rated output)\u003cbr\u003eHigh Level, 450mV unbalanced, 900mV balanced \u003cbr\u003ePhono MM, 4.5mV\u003cbr\u003ePhono MC, 0.45mV\u003cbr\u003eSignal To Noise Ratio (A-Weighted)\u003cbr\u003eHigh Level, 100dB below rated output \u003cbr\u003ePhono MM, 75dB below 5mV input Phono MC, 75dB below 0.5mV input\u003cbr\u003eInput Impedance\u003cbr\u003eHigh Level, 22K ohms unbalanced, 44k ohms balanced\u003cbr\u003ePhono MM, 47K ohms; 50 to 750pF, in 50pF steps \u003cbr\u003ePhono MC, 25, 50, 100, 200, 400 or 1,000 ohms; 100pF\u003cbr\u003eMaximum Input Signal\u003cbr\u003eHigh Level, 8V Unbalanced, 16V Balanced \u003cbr\u003ePhono MM, 80mV\u003cbr\u003ePhono MC, 8mV\u003cbr\u003eVoltage Gain\u003cbr\u003eHigh Level to Record Output: 0dB \u003cbr\u003eHigh Level to Main Output: 15dB \u003cbr\u003ePhono MM to Record Output: 40dB \u003cbr\u003ePhono MC to Record Output: 60dB\u003cbr\u003eOutput Impedance\u003cbr\u003e220 ohms\u003cbr\u003eHeadphone Impedance\u003cbr\u003e20 ohms to 600 ohms\u003cbr\u003eDigital Input Sample Rates\u003cbr\u003eOptical: 16Bit, 24Bit - 32kHz to 96kHz \u003cbr\u003eCoaxial: 16Bit, 24Bit - 32kHz to 96kHz\u003cbr\u003eUSB: 16Bit, 24Bit, 32Bit - 32kHz to 192kHz\u003cbr\u003ePower Control and Trigger Output\u003cbr\u003e12VDC, 25mA\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWidth is 17-1\/2 inches (44.45cm) Height is 7-5\/8 inches (19.37cm) including feet Depth is 18 inches (45.72cm) including the Front Panel, Knobs and Cables\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e30 lbs.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eApproximate Age:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e2013\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLink to Manual:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0003\/3275\/9084\/files\/McIntosh-C2500-Tube-Preamplifier-Owners-Manual.pdf?v=1631737446\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eClick Here\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eRecommended Cables:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/skyfiaudio.com\/products\/kimber-kable-hero-interconnects-pair-rca-ultraplate-or-wbt-connectors-new\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eKimber Kable - RCA Interconnects\u003c\/a\u003e - Better\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/skyfiaudio.com\/products\/kimber-kable-silver-streak-interconnects-pair-rca-ultraplate-or-wbt-connectors\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eKimber Kable - RCA Interconnects\u003c\/a\u003e - Best\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca title=\"Kimber Kable - TAK-CU - New Speciality Series Tonearm Cable, New - SkyFi Audio\" href=\"https:\/\/skyfiaudio.com\/products\/kimber-kable-tak-cu-phono-cable-with-wbt-connectors\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eKimber Kable - Phono Interconnects\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/skyfiaudio.com\/collections\/our-kimber-kable-collection\/products\/kimber-kable-ascent-series-hero-analog-interconnects-pair-balanced-xlr-connectors-new\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eKimber Kable - BALANCED XLR Connectors\u003c\/a\u003e - Better\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/skyfiaudio.com\/collections\/our-kimber-kable-collection\/products\/kimber-kable-summit-series-silver-streak-analog-interconnects-pair-balanced-xlr-connectors-new\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eKimber Kable - BALANCED XLR Connectors\u003c\/a\u003e - Best\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/skyfiaudio.com\/products\/kimber-kable-pk14-pk-14-ascent-power-cord-brand-new\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eKimber Kable - Power Cords\u003c\/a\u003e - Better\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/skyfiaudio.com\/products\/kimber-kable-ascent-series-pk10-pk-10-power-cord-brand-new\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eKimber Kable - Power Cords\u003c\/a\u003e - Best\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTesting Process:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWe 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. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhen 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 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 1 KHz sine wave into one of the preamp’s line level inputs while monitoring the preamp’s output on an oscilloscope.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWe then switch to a 1 KHz 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOnce 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWe 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.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIf 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"McIntosh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67971440869630,"sku":"108235","price":8726.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0003\/3275\/9084\/files\/mcintosh-c2500-tube-preamplifier-w-new-remote-719.jpg?v=1793723718","url":"https:\/\/skyfiaudio.com\/en-au\/products\/mcintosh-c2500-tube-preamplifier-w-new-remote","provider":"SkyFi Audio","version":"1.0","type":"link"}