McIntosh C1000

The debate over whether tubes or transistors sound better is still going strong after forty years. McIntosh has led in both technologies, and has just raised the bar again, with the C1000, Stereophile Magazine's 2006 Amplification Product of the Year. The C1000 is a three-chassis design that offers the ultimate in flexibility. It lets the listener choose between a solid-state preamplifier, vacuum tube preamplifier, or both.

All three modules can be combined with each source available through either preamplifier module, selectable at the push of a remote control button. For ultimate stereo fidelity the preamplifier modules employ Dual Mono topologies yielding over 130 dB of channel separation.

C1000 Solid State/Tube Preamplifier Features

TRI-AMPLIFICATION

All three balanced outputs carry the same signal and bypass switching when

the TRI-MODE is programmed. This allows tri-amplification of a speaker set,

while the unbalanced outputs will still switch to control a remote amplifier.

VRV (VARIABLE RATE VOLUME) DIGITALLY CONTROLLED ATTENUATOR

The output attenuator controls volume over 214 steps of .5dB each with accuracy

within .1dB. The volume versus rotation rate varies as preamplifier gain varies and attenuation changes occur at the zero crossings of the audio signal to prevent audible artifacts during adjustment.

ELECTROMAGNETIC SWITCHING

Signal routing is accomplished through digitally controlled electromagnetic

switching devices. Precision switch contacts, isolated from environmental

contamination inside inert gas-filled tubes, provide the most reliable, quietest

and lowest distortion switching possible.

PHONO SECTION FLEXIBILITY

Moving Magnet has adjustable capacitance from the remote to allow

flexibility in matching your favorite turntable. Moving Coil offers adjustable

resistance also from the remote control for the same flexibility.

Low Noise MM and MC Phono Inputs
Fully Balanced Circuitry
Dual Mono, Mirror Image Design
3 Outputs per Channel for Tri-Amping
Listen and Record Processor Loops
Peak Responding Output Meters
Front-Panel 1/4” Headphone Jack
Remote Controllable
Fiber-Optic Front Panel Illumination
Florescent Display of Operating Modes
Pass through Home Theater Mode

C1000 Solid State/Tube Preamplifier Specifications

FREQUENCY RESPONSE

C1000P: +0, -0.5dB from 10Hz to 40kHz

C1000T: +0, -0.5dB from 10Hz to 20kHz

TOTAL HARMONIC DISTORTION

C1000P: 0.002% max from 20Hz to 20kHz

C1000T: .08% from 20Hz to 20kHz

RATED OUTPUT

C1000P and C1000T: Balanced: 5VRMS at MAIN, SPKR1 and SPKR2

Unbalanced: 2.5VRMS at MAIN, SPKR1 and SPKR2

MAXIMUM VOLTAGE OUTPUT

C1000P: 12V RMS Unbalanced, 25V RMS Balanced

C1000T: 8V RMS Unbalanced, 16V RMS Balanced

INPUT IMPEDANCE

C1000P and C1000T: High Level, 22k ohms

Phono MM, 47k ohms; 50 to 750pF, in 50pF steps

Phono MC, 25, 50, 100, 200, 400 or

1,000 ohms; 100pF

OUTPUT IMPEDANCE

C1000P and C1000T: 220 ohms

SENSITIVITY

C1000P: High Level, 450mV for 2.5V rated output

Phono MM, 4.5mV for 2.5V rated output

Phono MC, 0.45uV for 2.5V rated output

C1000T: High Level, 450mV for 2.5V rated output

Phono MM, 4.5mV for 2.5V rated output

Phono MC, 0.45mV for 2.5V rated output

SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO

C1000P: High Level 100dB; Phono 88dB

C1000T: High Level 93dB; Phono 80dB

CHANNEL SEPARATION

C1000P and C100T: Greater than 130dB

MAXIMUM INPUT SIGNAL

C1000P and C1000T: High Level, 5V Unbalanced, 10V Balanced

Phono MM, 50mV; Phono MC, 5mV

VOLTAGE GAIN

C1000P and C1000T:

Phono, MC to Record Out: 60dB

Phono, MM to Record Out: 40dB

High Level to Record Out: 0dB

High Level to Main Out: 15dB

POWER REQUIREMENTS

240 Volts, 50/60Hz, 120 Watts

TUBE COMPLIMENT C1000T

High Level: 4-12AX7A Phono: 4-12AX7A

OVERALL DIMENSIONS (H x W x D including

knobs, connectors and feet)

C1000C, C1000P and C1000T: 6” (15.24cm) x 17-1/2” (44.45cm) x 24”(61cm)

WEIGHT

C1000C: 39 lbs. (17.7kg) net;

61.4 lbs. (27.9kg) in shipping carton

C1000P: 33 lbs. (15kg) net;

53.6 lbs. (24.3kg) in shipping carton

C1000T: 34 lbs. (15.4kg) net;

54.6 lbs. (24.8kg) in shipping carton.