McIntosh MP1100 Flagship Tube Phono Preamp - Just Discontinued, LAST ONE

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Recently discounted by McIntosh with no replacement model on the horizon.

This is our very last MP1100 available. Please call for pricing.

General:

The best phono preamp you can get from Mcintosh and just about any other maker.

I'm still using one as my reference phono section and have yet to find anything better and more flexible.

Best of all it's a pleasure to use because of the front-mounted adjustment controls and large VU meters.

This example is totally mint without a fingerprint or signs of use anywhere.

It will come to you complete like the day it left the factory.

More from McIntosh:

Winner of Stereo Sound Grand Prix 2015

The C1100 preamplifier brings a new level of performance and luxury to McIntosh’s heralded preamplifier offerings – evidenced by its high level inputs having the lowest noise of any McIntosh preamplifier ever produced. It utilizes a two-chassis design where the control and power sections are completely separate from the audio section. Absolute isolation of a preamplifier's two main functions – control and sound – is achieved by this unusual but effective design and will provide you with the purest sound reproduction possible for generations of listening enjoyment.

Winner of prestigious Grand Prix Award for its "rich and accurate body of sound." - Stereo Sound

The C1100 is comprised of the C1100 Controller and the C1100 Vacuum Tube Preamplifier. Inside each, the left and right channels are electrically and mechanically isolated from each other to allow true dual mono operation - resulting in the ultimate stereo separation and sonic purity. The two units are connected together via a pair of specially designed, high performance umbilical cables that are shielded to prevent outside noise from leaking into the audio signal. While they are two separate units, when connected they act as one and are easy to control and operate from the included remote control or the C1100 Controller front panel. Both units’ chassis are comprised of polished stainless steel and hairline brushed black Titanium stainless steel, offering a new degree of richness and refinement

"Distortion is very low indeed at just 0.00009 - 0.0005%." - Hi-Fi News

All power control, data ports and external control connections are located in the C1100 Controller; the introduction of a dual microprocessor allows for an improved robustness of the control system. The C1100 Vacuum Tube Preamplifier houses the audio connections and circuitry, featuring a total of 12 analog inputs: 6 balanced, 4 unbalanced, plus adjustable loading Moving Magnet and Moving Coil phono inputs. For outputs, 2 sets of balanced and 2 sets of unbalanced connections provide flexibility in connecting to your amplifier. Twelve vacuum tubes (6 each of 12AX7a and 12AT7) power the tube preamplifier. Compared to the C1000 preamplifier which had 8 tubes, the additional 4 tubes in the C1100 lowers its dependency on any solid-state support. The amplifier circuit has much higher common mode rejection, so any noise introduced by interconnect cables is significantly reduced. For personal listening, the headphone jack features a higher output than any of our other preamplifiers, while Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD®) brings a new depth and spatiality to your music. The Home Theater Pass Through feature allows for seamless integration into your existing multi-channel home theater system.

For digital music sources, the C1100 can be connected to and used in conjunction with its digital counterpart – the D1100 Digital Preamplifier. Like the C1100, the D1100 employs a dual mono design and features the most advanced digital-to-analog converter (DAC) we’ve ever used in order to reproduce your digital music with the same level of excellence that the C1100 gives to your analog sources. When connected, the C1100 takes over control of the D1100 and its 9 digital inputs, resulting in a single and easy to use interface.

"The C1100 is outstanding... A fantastic preamplifier any way you look at it. Highly recommended if you are a lover of the brand, and if you aren't, this is the perfect piece to start your journey." - Tone Audio

The C1100 preamplifier employs fully balanced circuitry to match the level of performance achieved in any of our Quad Balanced amplifiers. With classic McIntosh black glass front panels, blue meters, knobs, stainless steel chassis, illuminated logos and custom machined brushed aluminum end caps, the C1100 makes a visual statement in addition to its audio prowess. It can be paired with a variety of McIntosh amplifiers, speakers, room correction devices, CD players, turntables, tuners and other source components to make a complete home audio system.

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.

Ownership:

Single Owner

Connections:

Inputs:
4 sets of RCA analog
2 set of XLR analog
4 ground lugs

Outputs:
1 set of RCA analog
1 set of XLR analog
Digital optical
Digital RCA
Digital USB

General Sound:

Neutral sound with little to no coloration 

Cosmetic Condition:

9 - No Signs of Use

https://skyfiaudio.com/pages/our-rating-scale

Working Condition:

Working perfectly and tested in our lab and listening room.

Included:

MP1100 Flagship Tube Phono Preamplifier, power cord, remote control, manual, and the original McIntosh shipping carton.

Packing:

Original Manufacturers Packing

Dimensions:

17-1/2” (44.5cm) x 6” (15.2m) x 18” (45.7cm)

Weight:

26 lbs.

Age:

2022

Reviews:

Click Here

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 Tonearm Interconnects - Best

Kimber Kable - BALANCED XLR Connectors - Better

Kimber Kable - BALANCED XLR Connectors - Best

Kimber Kable - Power Cords - Better

Kimber Kable - Power Cords - Best

Testing Process:

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.

If the preamplifier passes visual inspection, we move on to a full test of all of the tubes. We use an Amplitrex AT-1000 Tube Tester which is capable of testing both emission and Gm with a high degree of accuracy. We document the results of each tube and replace any weak or suspect tubes before proceeding. When we power on tube preamplifiers for the first time we usually use a variac and current limited AC supply and slowly raise the voltage up to nominal mains level while monitoring plate, screen, filament, and negative bias supply voltages where applicable. If everything is in order we feed a low level test signal into the preamplifier input and monitor its output on an oscilloscope across an 8 ohm dummy load. Once we have verified that the preamplifier is safe to operate, we connected it to full mains power.

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.

Specs:

Frequency Response
±0.2dB from 20Hz to 20,000Hz
+0.2, -3dB from 10Hz to 50,000Hz

Total Harmonic Distortion
0.005% maximum from 20Hz to 20,000Hz (Line In)
0.02% maximum from 20Hz to 20,000Hz (Phono In)

Rated Output
4V Balanced
2V Unbalanced

Maximum Voltage Output
20V RMS Balanced
10V RMS Unbalanced

Sensitivity (for rated output)
Phono MM - 10mV
Phono MC - 1.25mV
Line In - 2V Unbalanced
Line In - 4V Balanced

Signal To Noise Ratio (A-Weighted)
Phono MM - 84dB below 5mV input
Phono MC - 80dB below 0.5mV input
Line In - 118dB below rated output

Input Impedance
Phono MM and MC - 25, 50, 100, 200, 400, 1k or 47K ohms and 50 to 400pf in 50pF steps
Line In - 50k Unbalanced, 100k Balanced

Maximum Input Signal
Phono MM - 100mV
Phono MC - 10mV
Line In - 10V Unbalanced
Line In - 20V Balanced

Voltage Gain
Phono MM and MC - Selectable 40dB, 46dB, 52dB, 58dB or 64dB
Line In - 0dB

Output Impedance
100 ohms Unbalanced
200 ohms Balanced

Phono Equalization
RIAA, LP, NAB, AES or 78

Noise Filters
Rumble: -3dB at 50Hz, Slope 24dB per Octave
Scratch: -3dB at 6,000Hz, Slope 12dB per Octave

Digital Outputs
Coaxial, Optical, USB

Digital Output Sample Rates
PCM - 24Bit 96kHz or 192kHz

Power Control (Trigger)
Maximum Input and Output Signal 12VDC, 25mA

Tube Complement
Four 12AX7A, two per channel

Power Requirements
Field AC Voltage conversion of the MP1100 is not possible. The MP1100 is factory configured for the following AC Voltage:
120 Volts, 50/60Hz at 50 watts
Standby Power, less than 0.5 watts