At the heart of the C2800 AC lies meticulously designed tube circuitry. Utilizing the latest designs to almost completely eliminate noise and distortion, the C2800 AC reduces these to minimal levels. Its four tubes deliver a listening experience that exceeds expectations.
ABUNDANT INPUTS
With its 9 analog and 7 digital inputs (16 inputs total), the C2800 AC becomes the core of your home audio system. There are 3 balanced and 4 unbalanced analog inputs, plus 2 phono inputs that can be configured for either Moving Coil or Moving Magnet cartridges to connect your turntable. Both phono inputs feature adjustable gain in 6dB steps from 40dB to 64dB, as well as RIAA equalization.
The DA2 Digital Audio Module houses the 7 digital inputs and is powered by an audiophile-grade Quad Balanced, 8-channel, 32-bit Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC). The DA2 offers a variety of inputs, including an HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC)1 input for audio only, which breathes new life into the sound of your TV when played through your home stereo system. Multi-channel audio formats from Dolby® and DTS® are masterfully converted to two-channel audio to provide an immersive listening experience.
The DA2 features 6 other digital inputs: 2 coaxial, 2 optical, 1 USB, and 1 MCT. The coaxial and optical inputs decode digital music up to 24-bit/192kHz for high-resolution audio playback, while the USB input supports DSD512 and DXD 384kHz. To get the best sound quality from the high-definition audio of your SACD collection, the MCT input offers a secure, dedicated DSD connection when paired with the MCT series of SACD/CD transports. The entire DA2 module is upgradeable and could be replaced by a future module should new digital technologies become available.
INNOVATIVE OUTPUTS FOR PERSONAL LISTENING
With advanced connectivity flexibility, there are 3 stereo sets of variable balanced and unbalanced outputs to connect the C2800 AC to your power amplifier. All sets of outputs can be active simultaneously, and each can send the audio signal from the source device to 3 separate audio systems.
Bi-amping a single loudspeaker system can be achieved by using the main output and output 1 with their built-in adjustable high-pass and low-pass filters. In this configuration, the high-pass outputs could be connected to a tube amplifier, and the low-pass outputs could be connected to a solid-state amplifier. Then, the adjustable crossover would allow you to optimize the performance of your amplifiers to the specifications of your loudspeakers and to your listening preferences. Output 1 offers level adjustment, which allows for balancing the volume of two different amplifiers when bi-amping.
Furthermore, output 2 can be configured as either mono or stereo to send the audio signal to a stereo audio system in another room, to a single mono subwoofer, or to 2 separate stereo subwoofers.
RETURN OF THE PROCESSOR LOOP
The C2800 AC features the return of the Processor Loop, something that was unavailable in recent generations of McIntosh preamplifiers. The Processor Loop allows you to loop in an external signal processor (such as the MQ112 Environmental Equalizer or MEN220 Room Correction System), dynamic range expander, or other devices without having to place them between the preamplifier and power amplifier. This is usually more convenient and can enable better performance. The Processor Loop is also the perfect place to connect an analog tape recorder, a high-quality cassette deck, or a 3-head reel-to-reel tape recorder, allowing you to record from a source component and listen to the recording just seconds later, so you can monitor your recordings.
NETWORK CONNECTED FOR CONTROL AND UPDATES
In addition to using the included remote control or the controls on the front panel, the C2800 AC can be connected to your network, which unlocks control options through the free Connect App (expected to be available from April 2024). Designed for Android and Apple devices, the Connect App can be used to control key functions of the C2800 AC, including volume control as well as input and output selection.
Selected McIntosh source components connected to the C2800 AC with a data cable can be partially controlled via the app's Source Control feature. With Source Control, users can control many functions of the source unit from the app, such as changing radio stations on a tuner or playing a CD in a CD player. Source Control will provide additional convenience for setups that have a secondary system connected to one of the C2800's outputs, such as an outdoor system, where you no longer need to go inside to control its basic functionality.
When connected to your network, the C2800 will also be able to receive periodic firmware updates. These firmware releases can add new features or provide important performance updates.
ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCE FEATURES
- Electronic bass and treble control allows for precise 1dB adjustments of low and high frequencies. The C2800 remembers your tone control bypass setting for each input.
- A High Drive headphone amplifier with Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD®) technology brings an additional dimension to headphone listening.
- Home Theater PassThru for seamless integration into your home theater system.
- Has received the Roon Tested award from Roon Labs.
- Power Control allows you to easily turn other connected McIntosh components on and off.
- Data ports can send remote control commands to connected source components.
- Electromagnetic input switching for reliable, noise-free, and distortion-free switching.
- Level Trim adjustment for aligning the levels of analog inputs to avoid abrupt volume changes.
- Precisely balanced, digitally controlled attenuation system for accurate volume control with 0.1dB accuracy.
- Fully regulated power supplies and a dedicated R-core power transformer for stable, noise-free operation.
- Eco-friendly power management system that turns off the unit after 30 minutes of inactivity (can be deactivated).
ELEVATE YOUR LISTENING JOURNEY
All this cutting-edge audio technology is housed in the iconic McIntosh design – a black glass front panel adorned with blue meters, knobs, and an illuminated logo. The polished stainless steel chassis adds a touch of elegance, making it the perfect companion for amplifiers, CD players, turntables, and more.
