McIntosh C2800 Preamplifier

Introduction

I’m a reviewer of simple needs. I like my DAC to be a DAC that can take inputs from a CD player, that is just a CD player or a streaming transport that is just that. This is simple for me, and it should ensure that I can upgrade to the latest HiFi technology with minimum fuss and outlay. This desire is particularly the case with DACs and their treatment, where digital processing is progressing at light speed, it feels. Therefore, I do not need a DAC in a preamplifier, an integrated amplifier or other such device.

My simple, transparent, unfussy, passive audio path (no gain) Moor Angel-Pre preamplifier is the height of preamplification. I bought it after reviewing it because I thought it would last me a lifetime (and beyond).

What do I need from a preamplifier? A simple audio path with a high-quality ALPS-style volume control, easy source selection, and a remote control that performs those functions quickly. I think and understand that I do not want any undue colouration imparted at the pre-stage, just a low-noise signal path. I do not need a DAC, a Phono stage, a streaming module, a CD player, etc.

Inevitably, I was then asked if I would like to review a McIntosh preamplifier! I was offered a solid-state C55 or this C2800 with vacuum tube circuitry; both were launched earlier last year. These two have all the above, save for the CD slot. What is a reviewer to do?

Design

The McIntosh C2800 has a bewildering slew of features if you are used to a simple passive preamplifier with just four inputs, two outputs and a volume control. The C2800 has an impressive 16 inputs, including nine analogue and seven digital connections. The C55 has the same. The analogue inputs include both a Moving Magnet and Moving Coil Phono inputs that are fully configurable, in the same way as the MM input is on the excellent McIntosh MA 352 integrated amplifier.

The stars of the show are the three 12AX7A and single 12AT7 vacuum tubes on display through the top of the unit.

On board the DAC technology is a DA2 Digital Audio Module powered by an audiophile-grade Quad Balanced, 8-channel, 32-bit Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC). Interestingly, the McIntosh Product Sheet states that the entire DA2 module is upgradeable and could be replaced by a future module should new digital technologies become available. This contradicts my contention that I cannot stay up with the latest DAC technology with this C2800.

Inputs are curated with a source trimming function that you can configure using the two volume and input knobs on the front. Alternatively, the McIntosh Connect App can be used if you network the C2800 (there is no streaming here). Other inputs include HMDI ARC for TV integration and two-channel AV pass-through. There is also a Processor Loop function to integrate an external signal processor like the MQ112 if you have one.

At the front of the C2800 is McIntosh’s 6.35mm ‘High Drive’ Headphone Amplifier module. This module features their Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD®) technology, which allows for a more speaker-friendly sound in the headphone output.

Quality

The McIntosh C2800 preamplifier is beautifully put together with its characteristic Blue VU meters on either side of the bright green McIntosh logo above their dot matrix information display. A typical preamplifier does two things, and the two ribbed knobs reflect this with volume control and input selection, with the added feature of pressing them in to adjust various options, including trimming. There is a simplicity to admire here.

The unit is weighty and tall, so you’ll need a solid rack to house it. The two-part chassis separates the digital section from the top analogue section for noise management reasons. The array of gold-plated brass RCA inputs and outputs has plenty of space to manoeuvre.

Specification

Full details are on the company’s site.

Price

£11995

Performance

Review Equipment

I’m using the Kudos Audio Sigao Drive setup, replacing the Moor Amps Angel-Pre with the C2800. So, I’m driving a pair of Kudos Audio Titan 505 two-way loudspeakers with two Moor Amps Angel 6 power amplifiers (!!). The Sigao Drive sits between the C2800 and the two Angel 6s.

The source for this arrangement is an Auralic Aries G1 streaming transport, which is my interface to a Melco library. Both are served by a Melco Switch with an ADOT optical media converter. I recently switched to a (now discontinued) NuPrime DAC 9 SE instead of my Reference iFi Pro iDSD DAC. This is for its studio clarity, and with the Angel-Pre, it offers unparalleled transparency in this Active configuration. I’m stacked on a SolidSteel rack.

Physically

The preamplifier couldn’t be simpler to set up. I have used the internal DAC in the C2800 from the Auralic transport to review it, but I prefer the external DAC and using the RCA out or the XLR output. Other than that, physically there is not much to say, the C2800 is a weighty beast and is solid once in place. On the physical side, the tubes are on display at the top of the unit, I cannot see them due to the height of the unit in the rack which is a shame for me really.

Preamplifier

I hear plenty of space.

Imagine a stagehand at the theatre, running around after the actors (the loudspeaker), the director (power amplifier) and the writers (the DAC) before a performance. The stagehand is bringing it all together, in time, on point, for the audience. This is the role I see as a preamplifier. I’m not expecting the stagehand to contribute to the performance. Still, there is bound to be an element of ‘influence’, particularly in this case, as the tubes form the basis of this preamplification stage.

Initially, with the studio clear external NuPrime DAC 9SE, I get a slightly softer sound than with the passive Angel-Pre in this Sigao Drive. The Titans sound great, though, and there is a warm bass passed through this system; I hear plenty of space.

The NuPrime DAC 9SE is a very analytic DAC, but I prefer its precise delivery over the familiar iFi Pro iDSD. The C2800 calms the detailed 9SE down nicely, and I like this. I am due to receive the ‘more forgiving’ DAC 9X next week and look forward to this updated 9X.

A pretty decent example of this additional wrap-around warmth and sense of space comes from playing Ray Lamontagne’s album Trouble (Melco FLAC Rip 16-bit, 44.1kHz), which is in any case, languid, beautiful and meaningful (and well produced).

Many other albums come across well, though, and I got stuck, happily, trawling through the Melco library and coming across forgotten favourites and formative albums like The War On Drugs’ Slave Ambient (Melco FLAC Rip, the track I Was There ushered in Like a Dream and A Deeper Understanding), Simon and Garfunkel’s Parsley, Sage, Rosemary And Thyme (Melco FLAC Rip) and a collection of Chopin’s Nocturnes.

I won’t fall for the well-worn tale of calling this unit ‘warm’ because it has tubes. It isn’t, really. There’s plenty of resolution here, and the sound signature is firm and clear. But this C2800 is softer and more languid than I’m used to, but it is nothing like the limited number of valve amplifiers I have heard. I think this is good, for the record, and it would be very interesting to put the C2800 next to the C55.

Internal DAC

The DAC in the C2800 is markedly softer than the NuPrime DAC that I have already suggested is very crisp and angular. Really. It doesn’t feel quite as accurate to me. I would happily use it, though, to fund such a significant purchase like this (for example, you could sell your DAC and phono stage to fund this outlay; there are plenty of streamers out there that will do a job for you, and you wouldn’t go too far wrong with an Auralic S1 for example).

Remote Control and McIntosh Connect

The remote is classy and excellent…

You can connect and control the C2800 on an App with an Ethernet or Wi-Fi connection. This is fun; I’ve had limited success connecting reliably with my iPad. But it is not the sort of thing I would use in the real world, I’m likely to be on the streamer’s App if anything. The remote is classy and excellent in this context, with the volume responsive, immediate and smooth. I didn’t notice if the volume knob was moving as well.

MM Input with Rega Planar 3

…the phono stage presents really well

Using the Phono input 1 (there are two, which means you can hook up two turntables, which could be a moving coil or moving magnet) with my MM Rega RP3 with an Elys 2 cartridge, I configured the C2800 to 50 Ohms load impedance and 200pF of capacitance which was a simple matter in the setup menu (I used the remote). I needed the gain set to the maximum of 64dB, which is higher than I thought, making me wonder if my RP3 cartridge is showing its age or if something else is afoot. I also had a fiddle with the input trimming, and this worked well. Nonetheless, the output, for example, with the aforementioned album Trouble (RCA, 2008) in vinyl, was predictably soft and sweet, and the phono stage presents really well.

Headphone Output

McIntosh’s ‘High Drive Headphone Amplifier with Headphone Crossfeed Director’ (HDX), allows ‘bleed’ between the two channels intended to give a more speaker-like listening experience. This is nice, and with a pair of open-backed Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pros, there should be no complaints about the performance of the headphone stage. In a blind test, I may have raised an eyebrow if I had been advised that there were vacuum tubes ahead of the headphone output.

Thoughts

…C2800 is a very, very good, comprehensive preamplifier…

There is plenty of space and resolution with this preamplifier but if you were looking for a ‘tubey signature’ I think you may be surprised, I was. This C2800 is a very, very good, comprehensive preamplifier with more inputs and output triggers than you will ever need, but that makes it a lifetime investment whilst you contemplate the price. It is extremely easy to live with and use. With two configurable phono inputs and a very comprehensive DAC treatment, not to mention the headphone output, you’ll be well set to concentrate on the right power amplifier to do this C2800 justice so that you can focus on the music.

Overall

A complete and detailed preamplifier that is very easy to use has all the inputs and ancillary functions you could wish for. It represents a lifetime investment in your listening.