McIntosh C26 Vintage Analog Preamplifier, Serviced

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Very capable vintage solid state preamplifier from McIntosh that was proudly made right here in Binghamton, New York.

Just serviced where we replaced critical capacitors and cleaned the controls for great operation. Caps are custom multi-section units made specifically for us. Much better in quality and performance than the originals that dated back to the 1960's.

The C26 is full of features including tone controls to get them most out of your vintage speakers. We love the dual inputs for connecting your beloved turntable(s), along with loudness circuitry to allow you to get full-range sound late at night without disturbing your neighbors.

In overall great cosmetic condition, please see our photos for more details.

SkyFi Service Notes:
• Multi-section main filter capacitors replaced

Cosmetic Notes:
• Slight ding in left side of glass that lets some light through
- Paint separation below red power indicator

We can also add a matching wooden case for an additional $450.

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

Kimber Kable - RCA Interconnects - Better

Kimber Kable - RCA Interconnects - Best

Kimber Kable - Phono Interconnects - Better

Kimber Kable - Flagship Tonearm Interconnects - Best

Please see the linked owners manual for full technical specifications:

McIntosh C26 Preamplifier Manual

The SkyFi Testing Process for Preamplifiers:
We start with a visual inspection of all internal components to make sure there are no signs of stress or aging. Capacitors are checked for telltale sings of bulging or leaking, resistors are checked for signs of overheating or cracking, and transistors are checked for signs of stress or damage. Special attention is paid to the power supply which is the most common source of failure for preamps. We then power up the unit and run a simple 1k sine wave while monitoring the low voltage output on an oscilloscope for signs of distortion or noise to get a baseline.

At this point we will lubricate and clean all switches and potentiometers (that are not sealed) with a high quality contact cleaner, and then re-test all functions for any signs of noise or scratching.

Final testing involves putting actual music through the preamplifier We have learned over time that some issues are only noticeable to a trained ear while listening to a familiar source material. Our test bench has reference vintage KEF speakers that we are super familiar with which will quickly reveal any discrepancies. Some preamps will then move into the listening room where they will be tested with our in-house reference system.