Lovers of classic design have always felt comfortable at the sight of McIntosh products. The C22AC tube preamplifier was first introduced in 1963. A McIntosh legend that at the time included technical features that were pioneering for the HiFi industry. An exceptional line stage, superb phono equalization, and a sophisticated equalizer with versatile adjustment options.
The inner values of this epitome of a tube preamplifier were found - in an improved form - in the C70 preamplifier created for McIntosh's 70th anniversary, which once again thrilled the experts. You can find the excellent test report from hifi&records 03/2020 above under the corresponding tab.
The C22AC preamplifier offers a veritable full complement of features that are hard to find elsewhere. The C22AC not only offers balanced inputs and outputs, but also six RCA high-level inputs and three unbalanced outputs. The phono section already mentioned is virtually duplicated, with separate MM and MC phono jacks and two grounding terminals. Phono fans can thus connect two cartridges in parallel and also conveniently select capacitive and ohmic loads on the front panel via a rotary switch. For MC cartridges alone, the C22 AC offers six different load impedances, including rarely found ten ohms. With 100, 200, and 500 ohms, you should be prepared for all eventualities.
And what would an American retro amp be without tone control? And without a loudness button? Exactly: customers wouldn't have accepted that back then. Nowadays, it means: nothing is mandatory, but everything is possible. Therefore, both the extensive tone control and the loudness function can be bypassed.
The current C22 AC is certainly one of the world's best tube preamplifiers. Its exemplary freedom from interference alone allows the finest sound details to emerge much better and favors the already more than ample dynamic reserves. The sound image builds up against a pitch-black background and magnificently suggests expansive virtual spaces. Ultimately, it is only the sound recordings that determine the 3D sound impression, whereby the McIntosh does not follow the false ideal of a sound image that is set too far back and is not very present.
And this is what the trade press said about the C22 Mk IV (Stereoplay 12/2016):
"Whoever tuned the C22AC understood their craft: the fundamentally taut, but never affected, playing style is accompanied by a tiny, fine, but above all beautifully velvety warmth in the mid-range. Exactly what the tube enthusiast wants, provided this small permissible stylistic device is not exaggerated. With the C22 AC, its beautiful, colorful tone also stands on a rock-solid bass and fundamental foundation that is miles away from the rather bland, usually too voluminous gait of early HiFi technology.
In its characteristic sound balance, the C22 AC of 2016 is a modern amplifier that is anything but a sterile bore, but rather offers spirited smoothness and color, while also confidently flexing its muscles.
The suspicion that the C22 AC might be the best McIntosh preamplifier we have heard to date cannot be dismissed out of hand, as the presentation of the retro-American was a pure delight that extended equally to phono and high-level input..."
Technical data
| Model | McIntosh C22 MK5 AC |
| Frequency Response 20Hz to 20kHz: | 0 to -0.5dB |
| Frequency Response 15Hz to 100kHz: | 0 to -3dB |
| Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) 20Hz-20kHz: | 0.08% |
| Input Impedance: | High Level: 44 kOhm Balanced / 22kOhm Unbalanced (RCA) |
| Phono MM: | 50 to 350pF adjustable in 50pF steps; 47kOhm |
| Phono MC: | 25, 50, 100, 200, 500 or 1,000 Ohms adjustable; 100pF |
| Output Impedance: | 220 Ohms |
| Signal-to-Noise Ratio: | 100dB |
| Dimensions (W x H x D): | 44.5 x 15.3 x 45.7 cm |
| Weight: | 11.3kg net (18.8kg with shipping carton) |
