The feature packed C52 Preamplifier lets you connect virtually any of your analog components and digital music sources – including those that play the latest high resolution formats such as DSD files – to one easy-to-use device to enjoy them all.
"You will rule your world with the C52. Cool as all this is, it sounds fantastic too. No one combines just the right amount of bling and performance as McIntosh – that’s why they are a legend." - Tone Audio
"I can’t think of another component that manages to do so much so superlatively well, with no compromises in any ways that matter to me as an audio critic and music lover." - The Absolute Sound
For connecting analog devices, it includes 3 balanced and 4 unbalanced fully assignable inputs plus 1 each of Moving Coil and Moving Magnet phono inputs for connecting a turntable and enjoying your vinyl collection. On the digital side, it has 3 optical, 2 coaxial and 1 USB input. The optical and coax inputs will decode digital music at up to 24-bit/192kHz for high resolution audio playback. The C52 is also capable of decoding and playing back DSD files for the latest in high fidelity performance; the USB input accepts PCM signals up to 32-bit/384kHz and supports DSD64, DSD128 and DSD256 plus DXD 352.8kHz and DXD 384kHz. An MCT input offers a secure, custom DSD connection for playback of the high definition audio found on SACDs when paired with the MCT500 SACD/CD Transport to deliver the purest possible sound quality from your CD library. The C52 features a 24-bit/192kHz, DSD digital-to-analog-converter (DAC).
"Smooth? You bet. Realistic timbre? Check. Instruments and voices sound staggeringly realistic with no edge or glare whatsoever? Got it." - Tone Audio
- Number of Channels
- 2
- Total Harmonic Distortion
- 0.003%
- Frequency Response
- +0, -0.5dB from 20Hz to 20kHz
+0, -3dB from 15Hz to 100kHz
- Maximum Volts Out (Balanced / Unbalanced)
- 16V RMS / 8V RMS
- Sensitivity High Level (Balanced / Unbalanced)
- 900mV / 450mV
- Sensitivity Phono (Moving Coil)
- 0.45mV
- Sensitivity Phono (Moving Magnet)
- 4.5mV
- Signal To Noise Ratio (High Level)
- 100dB
- Signal To Noise Ratio (Moving Coil)
- 80dB
- Signal To Noise Ratio (Moving Magnet)
- 82dB
- Voltage Gain (High Level)
- 15dB
- Voltage Gain (Moving Coil)
- 60dB
- Voltage Gain (Moving Magnet)
- 40dB
- Input Impedance (Balanced / Unbalanced)
- 44K ohm, 22K ohm
