McIntosh C28 All Analog Preamplifier - Super Clean

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This is one of the cleanest C28's to come to our shop. It's evident the previous owner took great care.

The C28 is the best preamp from this era in our opinion. It's easy to service, has a low noise floor, great vintage looks, and every feature we would want. The individual left and right tone controls are a nice plus.  

Cosmetically it's close to perfect - the glass is perfect and the paintwork and stenciling are super nice. It will be hard to find another in better condition. 

This has been fully tested in our our lab where it performed flawlessly.

We also have an official matching McIntosh wood cabinet available for an extra $400 which includes the shipping in a separate box. Just click the option at the bottom to add before checking out. 

McIntosh Standout Features:
• Use 3 Tape Machines
2 with their own electronics and 1 tape playback deck with complete easy front panel switching

• Built-In Headphone Amplifier
Listen to your favorite music --- privately

• Main and Remote Loudspeaker Switching
Turn the main speakers on or off without affecting the remote speakers and vice versa (operates with accessory relay)

• New Low Noise Phono Input
Listen to your records with a new quietness

• Individual Channel Phono Level Controls
Match levels from different phono cartridges without degrading signal to noise ratio

• Individual Channel Output Level Controls
Perfect balance from your stereo always

• Individual Channel Tone Control Switches
Complete, repeatable flexibility

• New Compensation Control
One position for loudness compensation, one position is flat and a third position that adds presence compensation!

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

Kimber Kable - RCA Interconnects (Next Step Up) 

Please see the following PDF's for full technical specifications:

Click here for a PDF copy of the McIntosh C28 Sales Brochure

Click here for a PDF copy of the McIntosh C28 Owner's Manual

Click here for a PDF copy of the McIntosh C28 "If You're in a Hurry" Guide

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.