McIntosh C47 Solid State Preamp with Built-In DAC (Hi-Res, DSD/DXD)

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General:
Super clean and simple to operate preamp from McIntosh that features a high-quality built-in DAC (Hi-Res, DSD/DXD) to get the most bang for your buck.

New version of this preamp costs about $5500.

Tons of RCA and XLR connections to manage just about any system.

It also has a very good HXD® built-in headphone amp.

Legendary McIntosh performance and looks without breaking the budget.

Super clean showing little to no signs of use.

Will ship in original super high quality McIntosh double box, the only way to safely transport these pieces.

SkyFi Service Notes:
Updated to latest available McIntosh firmware v1.06. to ensure trouble free operation and best performance possible.

McIntosh Performance Features Include:
• Digital Audio Inputs
The Digital Inputs decode PCM and DSD Signals from external sources. Coaxial and Optical Inputs process Digital Signals up to 192kHz with 24-Bit resolution. The Digital MCT Input Circuitry directly decodes SACD/CD signals from an external Transport component. The USB Input for streaming audio processes Digital Signals up to 384kHz with 32Bit resolution, decodes up to DSD256 Digital Signals and DXD 24Bit with a sampling rate up to 384kHz.

• Moving Coil and Moving Magnet Phono Inputs
The C47 has two precision Phono Preamplifier Circuits, one for Moving Coil Phono Cartridges and the other for Moving Magnet Cartridges. Both phono inputs have selectable loading. The circuits use the latest designs providing the lowest possible noise and distortion. The close tolerance resistors and capacitors used in the RIAA Correction Equalization Circuitry provides an extremely flat frequency response.

• Tone Controls
The Bass and Treble Trim Controls provide up to 12dB of boost or cut. The C47 remembers the Bass and Treble Setting for each input.

• HXD® for Headphones
The C47 Headphone Crossfeed Director Circuitry (HXD®) improves the sound localization for Head- phone Listening. HXD restores the directionality component of the spatial sound stage normally heard with Loudspeaker listening.

• PASSTHRU Mode
The Automatic PASSTHRU Mode allows the C47 to become part of a Home Theater Multichannel Sound 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.

Ownership:
Single Owner

Connections:
RCA and XLR inputs and outputs. Toslink and RCA digital inputs. IEC removable power cord.

General Sound:
Accurate to the recording

Cosmetic Condition:
8/10 = Very Good. Excellent front faceplate, one minor flaw on chassis side or top. See our detailed rating description here.

Working Condition:
Working perfectly and tested in our lab and listening room.

Included:
Unit, remote, power cord, and Box.

Packing:
Original Manufacturers Packing

Reviews:
Click Here

Specs:
Frequency Response
+0, -0.5dB from 20Hz to 20,000Hz
+0, -3dB from 15Hz to 100,000Hz

Total Harmonic Distortion
0.005% from 20Hz to 20,000Hz

Rated Output
2.5V Unbalanced, 5V Balanced (Main)
450mV (Fixed Output)

Maximum Voltage Output
8V RMS Unbalanced, 16V RMS Balanced

Sensitivity (for rated output)
High Level, 450mV Unbalanced, 900mV Balanced
Phono MM, 4.5mV
Phono MC, 0.45mV

Signal To Noise Ratio (A-Weighted)
High Level - 100dB (Below rated output)
MM Phono - 82dB (Below 5mV input)
MC Phono - 80dB (Below 0.5mV input)

Input Impedance
High Level - 22K ohms Unbalanced, 44k ohms Balanced
Phono MM - 50 to 800pF, in 50pF steps; 47K ohms
Phono MC - 25, 50, 100, 200, 400 or 1,000 ohms; 100pF

Maximum Input Signal
High Level, 5V Unbalanced, 10V Balanced
Phono MM, 50mV
Phono MC, 5mV

Voltage Gain
High Level to Fixed Output: 0dB
High Level to Main Output: 15dB
Phono MM to Record Output: 40dB
Phono MC to Record Output: 60dB

Output Impedance
100 ohms Unbalanced
200 ohms Balanced

Headphone Load Impedance
100 ohms to 600 ohms
Digital Input Sample Rates
Optical: PCM - 16Bit, 24Bit - 32kHz to 192kHz
Coaxial: PCM -16Bit, 24Bit - 32kHz to 192kHz
MCT: PCM, SACD, -16Bit, 24Bit - 32kHz to 192kHz

USB:
PCM - 16Bit, 24Bit, 32Bit - 32kHz to 384kHz
DXD - DXD352.8kHz, DXD384kHz
DSD - DSD64, DSD128, DSD256

Power Control and Trigger Output
12VDC, 25mA

Power Requirements
Field AC Voltage conversion of the C47 is not possible. This C47 is factory configured for the following AC Voltages:
120 Volts, 50/60Hz at 30 watts
Standby Power, less than 0.5 watts

Dimensions:
(W x H x D): 17-1/2” (44.45cm) x 6” (15.2cm) including feet x 18” (45.72cm) including the front panel, knobs and cables

Weight:
23 lbs.

Approximate Age:
2017

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 Phono Interconnects - Best

Kimber Kable - BALANCED XLR Connectors - Better

Kimber Kable - BALANCED XLR Connectors - Best

Kimber Kable - Select Series Reference USB Cable

Kimber Kable - Coaxial Digital Interconnect

Kimber Kable - Optical Digital Interconnect

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 PCB’s 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.