McIntosh
C12000 2-Channel Solid State and Vacuum Tube Preamplifier

AED 80,700AED 89,200 (Inc. Tax)

76857.142857-84952.380952
(Price Per Set)
Free delivery on orders above AED 500 in UAE.

80700-89200
80700-89200
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The ultimate control center for your audio system. This two-chassis preamplifier offers the best of both worlds, with separate solid-state and vacuum tube sections that you can switch between to perfectly match your music and mood.

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Overview

The McIntosh C12000 is a flagship 2-channel preamplifier distinguished by its two-chassis design, separating the control/digital from the analog audio for ultimate purity. Uniquely, it offers selectable solid-state or vacuum tube (4x 12AX7A) output stages, allowing sonic tailoring.

Connectivity is vast, with 6 balanced XLR and 6 unbalanced RCA analog inputs, including five fully configurable phono inputs (3x MC, 2x MM) with adjustable loading. The integrated DA2 Digital Audio Module provides 7 digital inputs, including HDMI ARC, and supports up to DSD512 and 32-bit/384kHz PCM. A High Drive Headphone Amplifier with HXD® is also included. Boasting ultra-low distortion (0.005% SS, 0.08% Tube) and classic McIntosh black glass aesthetics, the C12000 delivers unparalleled versatility and sonic refinement for any high-end system.

The C12000 includes our Hybrid Driveâ„¢ technology that uses the best of vacuum tubes and solid state to produce the best sound performance. The C12000 Preamplifier module offers both vacuum tube and solid state output, allowing you to decide which to use based on the music being played, the audio components in the rest of your home audio system, and your sound preferences. All outputs are driven by discrete amplifiers. For vacuum tube output, six tubes or valves power the high-level preamplifier section with two 12AT7 tubes and one 12AX7A tube assigned to each the left and right channel. Solid state output is via a discrete balanced op-amp.

Regardless if you choose the vacuum tube or solid state output, the phono stage utilizes four 12AX7A vacuum tubes, with two tubes used per channel in a fully balanced configuration that incorporates RIAA equalization.

For connecting the C12000 to your amplifier(s) and the rest of your home music system, there are four total outputs: one balanced vacuum tube; one balanced solid state; one fixed unbalanced; and one programmable unbalanced (can be either vacuum tube or solid state). The amount of user adjustments available on the two phono inputs and all the outputs represent a new level of customization in McIntosh preamplifier design, allowing you maximum flexibility in how you want to configure your audio system.

The amplifier circuit has a high common mode rejection, so any noise introduced by interconnect cables is significantly reduced. For personal listening, our high output High Drive headphone jack is included, while the user selectable Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD®) brings an added depth and spatiality to your music. The C12000 can be seamlessly integrated into your existing multi-channel home theater system via the Home Theater Pass Through feature.

The C12000 preamplifier employs fully balanced circuitry to match the level of performance achieved in any of our Quad Balanced amplifiers. Both the C12000 Controller and C12000 Preamplifier chassis are made from stainless steel polished to a mirror finish plus hairline brushed black Titanium stainless steel, offering an enhanced degree of richness and refinement.

With classic McIntosh black glass front panels, blue meters, knobs, stainless steel chassis, illuminated logos, and custom machined brushed aluminum handles, the C12000 makes a visual statement in addition to its audio prowess. It can be paired with a variety of McIntosh amplifiers, speakers, room correction devices, CD players, turntables, tuners, media streamers and other source components to make a complete home audio system.
ELECTRONIC SPECIFICATIONS

Number of Channels:
- 2
Total Harmonic Distortion:
- High Level: 0.005%
- Phono: 0.05%
Frequency Response:
- +0, -0.5dB from 20Hz to 20kHz
- +0, -3dB from 10Hz to 100kHz
Maximum Volts Out (Balanced / Unbalanced):
- 20V RMS / 10V RMS
Sensitivity High Level (Balanced / Unbalanced):
- 900mV / 450mV
Sensitivity Phono (Moving Coil):
- 0.25 – 2.5mV
Sensitivity Phono (Moving Magnet):
- 5 – 10mV
Signal To Noise Ratio (High Level):
- 107dB
Signal To Noise Ratio (Moving Coil):
- 79dB
Signal To Noise Ratio (Moving Magnet):
- 83dB
Voltage Gain (High Level):
- 15dB
Voltage Gain (Moving Coil):
- 58 – 64dB
Voltage Gain (Moving Magnet):
- 40 – 46dB
Input Impedance (Balanced / Unbalanced):
- 50K ohms, 25K ohms

CONNECTIVITY
Balanced Input:
- 6
Unbalanced Input:
- 4
Phono Input Moving Coil:
- Up to 2 (unit has 2 Phono inputs; each is user configurable as either Moving Coil or Moving Magnet)
Phono Input Moving Magnet:
- Up to 2 (unit has 2 Phono inputs; each is user configurable as either Moving Coil or Moving Magnet)
Upgradeable Digital Audio Module:
- No
Digital Coaxial Input:
- 0
Digital Optical Input:
- 0
Digital MCT Input:
- 0
Digital USB Input:
- 0
HDMI (ARC) Input:
- 0
Digital AES/EBU Input:
- 0
Balanced Fixed Output:
- 0
Balanced Variable Output:
- 2 (1 for Solid State, 1 for Vacuum Tube)
Unbalanced Fixed Output:
- 1
Unbalanced Variable Output:
- 1
Headphone Output:
- 1/4" High Drive with Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD®)
Selectable headphone impedances of: 16 ohms - 40 ohms, 40 - 150 ohms, 150 - 600 ohms
Input Level Match:
- Yes, +/- 6dB
Home Theater PassThru:
- Yes
Unbalanced Analog Connector Type:
- Premium gold-plated solid brass
Service Port:
- 1

CONTROL
Tone Controls:
- No
Tone Bypass and Input Assign:
- No
RS232 Control Input:
- Yes
Power Control Output:
- 1 Main, 2 Output, 4 Trigger
Rear Panel Data Port:
- 8
Rear Panel IR Sensor Input:
- Yes

GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
Multi-Chassis or Single:
- Multi Chassis (C12000C plus C12000ST)
Output Meters:
- C12000C: No
- C12000ST: Yes
Vacuum Tube or Solid State:
- Both (user selectable)
Power Consumption (On):
- 75 watts

WEIGHTS & DIMENSIONS
Unit Dimensions (W x H x D):
Each module: 17.5" (44.45cm) x 6" (15.24cm) x 18" (45.7cm)
Unit Weight:
- C12000C: 27 lbs (12.3 kg)
- C12000ST: 25 lbs (11.3 kg)
Shipping Weight:
- C12000C: 42 lbs (19.5 kg)
- C12000ST: 40 lbs (17.7 kg)

Orders ship Sunday through Friday from our offices in Dubai, UAE.

In-stock products typically ship within 48 hours and should be expected to arrive in 3-4 business days. Orders outside of the UAE should be expected to arrive in 5-7 business days.

Pre-order and backorder products will state the approximate delivery timeline beside the Add To Cart button.

If you would like to place a custom order, chat with our specialists for a guided shopping experience. Once your order has been placed, a timeline will be provided depending on your order details.

- Free delivery within the UAE
- Shipping charges will be calculated upon checkout for orders outside of the UAE (Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia & Qatar).
- Taxes and duties are calculated according to the applicable laws of the state or country an item is shipped to and are the customer's responsibility.

For additional information on shipping and our exchange & return policy visit our help center.

Installation charges are applicable and can be paid upon delivery for our clients based in Dubai.

- Installation Charges: AED 450 Per Hour
- Speaker Cables: AED 32 Per Meter
- Trunking: AED 10 Per Meter

For clients based outside of the UAE, please contact our specialists and we will share an estimate based on your requirements.

A

The McIntosh audio system is a stereo system that uses two speakers or a multi-channel system using 3 to 12 speakers. Components are the individual units that individually will offer the highest performance and fidelity possible. Connecting the various components into a complete system of source components, control center, amplifiers, and speakers will deliver the best possible sound.

February 22, 2023
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A

Preamplifiers are Control Centers that switch source units, turn volume up and down, and in some cases allow tone shaping or turning bass and treble sounds up or down. Amplifiers are the ‘Muscle’ of the audio system and amplify the small audio signal from the preamp to a large one that will operate speakers and determine how dynamic the reproduced sound of the system is in one unit. Integrated amplifiers are single chassis models that combine the function of the preamplifier and power amplifier in one unit.

February 22, 2023
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Precision McIntosh power meters allow the monitoring of sound level balance and output level between the two stereo, or many multi-channel speaker channels. Meters protect valuable speaker systems from damage as long as more watts than the speakers are designed to handle are not exceeded.

February 22, 2023
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The McIntosh Output Autoformer is a special transformer that is designed and manufactured in-house by McIntosh. This allows any speaker type to be used with a McIntosh amplifier and have all of the power that the amp is designed to deliver. All other amplifier designs will not have even power with differing speaker designs. McIntosh amplifiers with the output Autoformer™ will deliver ‘All the Power You Pay For’ regardless of speaker type chosen.

February 22, 2023
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Power Assurance is a group of patented McIntosh circuit designs that protect the stereo from damage and allow maximum performance and long, trouble free life.

February 22, 2023
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Quad Differential is the most sophisticated McIntosh amplifier design that allows the impossible combination of the most powerful amplifiers with the very lowest distortion and background noise. Many would say this is the impossible combination; highest power with lowest noise but Quad Balanced make the impossible possible.

February 22, 2023
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Electromagnetic switching is used in McIntosh preamplifiers and integrated amplifiers to switch the variety of source components connected. Rather than the common mechanical switches that will deteriorate with wear, electromagnetic switches are high tech switching nodes that allow very long, trouble free operation.

February 22, 2023
Helpful?
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Performance between vacuum tube and solid state (or transistor) gear is almost identical in technical specifications. Many users request vacuum tube units that offer a slightly classical "tube" or "warm" sound to the audio presentation. Tube and solid state models may be mixed and will all work together in a McIntosh component stereo system. Many now use downloaded music as their main media source. Sound quality will always depend on the quality of the download files and the music system interface. McIntosh offers the most advanced computer USB interface in most of our preamplifiers and integrated amplifiers which will maximize audio performance.

February 22, 2023
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