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The C2300 was one of the most admired McIntosh tube preamps ever made. Its successor the C2500 has been even more popular. Building upon those successes is the C2600 which incorporates the best of the previous models while adding our advanced digital audio section and upgraded tube circuitry design.
The C2600 is a versatile preamplifier with an expansive set of 16 inputs to connect virtually all your analog or digital music sources. For audio purity, the analog and digital sections are housed separately in our dual chassis design to prevent signal corruption. Analog inputs include 3 balanced, 4 unbalanced plus 1 each dedicated Moving Magnet and Moving Coil phono inputs. Digital inputs consist of 3 optical, 2 coax, 1 USB and 1 McIntosh exclusive MCT connection. Three sets of balanced and unbalanced analog outputs will connect the C2600 to your amplifier.
The C2600 features a 32-bit/384kHz, DSD digital-to-analog-converter (DAC). The optical and coax inputs will decode digital music at up to 24-bit/192kHz for high resolution audio playback. The C2600 is also capable of decoding and playing DSD files; the USB input accepts PCM signals up to 32-bit/384kHz and supports DSD64, DSD128 and DSD256 plus DXD 352.8kHz and DXD 384kHz. When paired with the MCT450 SACD/CD Transport, the proprietary MCT input offers a secure DSD connection for playback of the high definition audio found on SACDs in order to deliver the purist possible sound quality.
With the C2600, all inputs can be renamed to your preference and are available all of the time, giving you more freedom to configure your system. The outputs have also been updated to be easier to operate when bi-amping or tri-amping so that your highs and/or lows are not accidentally turned off. Bass and treble tone controls can adjust individual sources as needed. For headphone listening, the addition of Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD®) brings an added dimension to your music. The Home Theater Pass Through feature allows for seamless integration into your multi-channel home theater system.
The C2600 features classic McIntosh design cues that not only blend with existing systems but also with any room décor. It can be paired with a variety of amplifiers, speakers, room correction devices, CD players, turntables and tuners to make a complete home audio system. Contact your local dealer to learn more. Electronic Specifications
Total Harmonic Distortion
0.08%
Frequency Response
+0, -0.5dB from 20Hz to 20,000Hz
+0, -3dB from 15Hz to 100,000Hz
Maximum Volts Out (Balanced / Unbalanced)
16/8 V RMS
Input Impedance (Balanced / Unbalanced)
44K ohm, 22K ohm
Phono Voltage Gain
Moving Magnet: 40dB
Moving Coil: 60dB
High Level Voltage Gain
To Main Output: 15dB
To Fixed Output: 0dB
Signal To Noise Ratio
100dB
Dual Mono Power Supply
No
Dual Mono, Fully Balanced
No
Connectivity
Headphone Output
Yes 1/4", High Drive with Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD®)
Inputs Balanced
3 Stereo
Inputs Unbalanced
4 Stereo + 2 Phono
Variable Outputs Balanced
3 Stereo
Variable Outputs Unbalanced
3 Stereo
Digital USB Input
1 (accepts PCM signals up to 32-bit/384kHz; supports DSD64, DSD128 and DSD256 plus DXD 352.8kHz and DXD 384kHz)
Digital Coaxial Input
2
Digital Optical Input
3
Digital MCT Input
1
Phono Moving Magnet Input
1 (adjustable)
Phono Moving Coil Input
1 (adjustable)
Record Processor Loop
No
Input Level Match
Yes, +/- 6dB
Home Theater Pass Through
Yes
Control
Tone Controls
Bass and Treble
Tone Bypass and Input Assign
Yes
RS232 Control Input
Yes
Power Control Output
1 Main, 4 Trigger
Rear Panel Data Ports
6
Rear Panel IR Sensor Input
Yes
General Specifications
Multi-Chassis or Single
Single, two layer
Output Meters
Yes
Tube or Solid State
Tube, 5 ea. 12AX7a and 1 ea. 12AT7
On, Power Consumption
50 Watts
Weights & Dimensions
Dimensions (W x H x D)
17.5" (44.45cm) x 7.625" (19.37cm) x 18" (45.72cm)
Weight
29.5 lbs (13.4kg)
Shipping Weight
45 lbs (20.4kg)