C12000

The McIntosh C12000 is a 2-chassis preamplifier that separates control functions from audio circuitry. The C12000 Controller contains the power control, data ports and external control connections, while the C12000 Preamplifier houses the audio connections and signal circuitry. Each chassis keeps its left and right channels electrically and mechanically isolated for dual mono operation and stereo separation.

Dual isolated power supplies drive the left and right channels in the Controller, which also uses a dual microprocessor control system. The 2 units connect with a pair of shielded umbilical cables designed to reduce the possibility of external noise entering the audio signal. Once connected, they operate as 1 preamplifier and can be controlled from the supplied remote control or the front panel of the C12000 Controller.

The C12000 Preamplifier provides 12 analogue inputs, comprising 6 balanced, 4 unbalanced and 2 unbalanced phono inputs. Both phono inputs can be configured for Moving Coil or Moving Magnet cartridges, with adjustable capacitance and resistance loading and gain adjustment in 6dB steps from 40dB to 64dB. This allows the phono section to be configured for different turntables, cartridges and vinyl record collections.

Vacuum tube and solid-state output stages are available, so the output type can be selected to suit the music, the other components in the system and personal preference. All outputs use discrete amplifiers. The vacuum tube high-level preamplifier section uses 6 tubes or valves, with 2 12AT7 tubes and 1 12AX7A tube assigned to each channel. Solid-state output is provided by a discrete balanced op-amp.

The phono stage uses 4 12AX7A vacuum tubes, with 2 tubes per channel in a fully balanced configuration incorporating RIAA equalisation. There are 4 outputs for connection to amplifiers and other system components: 1 balanced vacuum tube output, 1 balanced solid-state output, 1 fixed unbalanced output and 1 programmable unbalanced output, which can be set to vacuum tube or solid-state operation.

Fully balanced circuitry is used throughout the McIntosh C12000 preamplifier. Its amplifier circuit provides high common mode rejection to reduce noise introduced by interconnect cables. A high-output High Drive headphone jack is included, together with a user-selectable Headphone Crossfeed Director, or HXD, which adds depth and spatiality to headphone listening. Home Theatre Pass Through allows the C12000 to be integrated into an existing multi-channel home theatre system.

Both chassis are made from polished stainless steel with a mirror finish, together with hairline-brushed black Titanium stainless steel. The front panels use McIntosh black glass, blue meters, stainless steel chassis detailing, illuminated logos and custom-machined brushed aluminium handles. The C12000 can be combined with McIntosh amplifiers, speakers, room correction devices, CD players, turntables, tuners, media streamers and other source components in a complete home audio system.