Ultra-flexible McIntosh C2500 preamplifier added to UK range

Now available in the UK is the McIntosh C2500, a 15-input analogue/digital preamplifier complete with switchable phono stage, four digital inputs capable of handling high-resolution audio and an asynchronous USB-B socket.

The £7495 preamp uses a combination of valves in its analogue output section and 32-bit/192kHz digital-to-analogue conversion, and can be used with line sources such as CD players, moving-coil or moving magnet phono cartridges, digital sources delivering content at up to 24-bit/192kHz or computers at up to 32-bit/192kHz.

Handbuilt in the McIntosh factory in Binghamton, New York, the C2500 has the classic styling of all the company's products, plus a complement of six dual-triode 12AX7A valves. There are those adjustable moving coild/moving magnet phono inputs, six line inputs, two sets of balanced inputs, two optical and two electrical digital ins, and that USB-B socket.

Outputs are provided for up to three stereo power amps, on both phono and XLR sockets, and there's also a processor in/out loop for easy integration with surround systems.

Assignable tone controls are provided, along with gain-matching for the various inputs, and there's a range of home integration features including RS-232 and 12V trigger sockets, eight data ports and an input for an external infrared sensor, should you feel the need to hide the preamp away.

Oh, and there's a 6.3mm headphone socket on the front, too, along with those very McIntosh output level meters.

The McIntosh C2500 is available now through UK distributor Jordan Acoustics.

Written by Andrew Everard

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Andrew has written about audio and video products for the past 20+ years, and been a consumer journalist for more than 30 years, starting his career on camera magazines. Andrew has contributed to titles including What Hi-Fi?, GramophoneJazzwise and Hi-Fi CriticHi-Fi News & Record Review and Hi-Fi Choice. I’ve also written for a number of non-specialist and overseas magazines.