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Average Price: $5,935

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$599

$2000+

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Description

The McIntosh C 49 Stereo Solid State Preamp is a fine piece of engineering for discerning audiophiles and music producers seeking precise control and superior sound quality. This preamp is designed to seamlessly integrate into both vintage and modern setups, offering a versatile array of analog and digital inputs to accommodate your equipment needs. With its sleek design and user-friendly interface, the C 49 ensures an enhanced listening and recording experience without unnecessary complexity.

At the heart of the C 49 is its advanced circuitry, which provides a clean and transparent audio signal path, essential for critical listening environments. The inclusion of McIntosh’s renowned High Drive headphone amplifier means you can enjoy your favorite tracks in private without sacrificing quality. Additionally, the unit features a home theater pass-through, making it a versatile choice for both music and movie enthusiasts.

Designed for flexibility, the C 49 includes a moving magnet and moving coil phono stage, allowing you to connect a variety of turntables directly. The balanced and unbalanced outputs ensure compatibility with a wide range of amplifiers and speakers, catering to any setup you might have or envision.

Key Features:

  • Advanced solid-state circuitry for enhanced audio performance
  • Versatile array of analog and digital inputs including USB, optical, and coaxial
  • High Drive headphone amplifier for superior private listening
  • Home theater pass-through for seamless integration with AV systems
  • Moving magnet and moving coil phono stage for direct turntable connection
  • Balanced and unbalanced outputs for compatibility with various equipment

Product specs

Brand McIntosh
Model C 49 Stereo Solid State Preamp
Year 2019 - 2025
Made In United States
Categories Stereo and Phono Preamps

FAQs

What are the core features of the McIntosh C 49 Stereo Solid State Preamp?

The McIntosh C 49 features a solid-state design with advanced digital and analog inputs, including phono inputs for turntables. It offers both balanced and unbalanced outputs, making it versatile for various audio setups.

Does the McIntosh C 49 Preamp support both digital and analog sources?

Yes, the McIntosh C 49 is equipped with multiple digital and analog inputs, allowing seamless integration with a wide range of audio sources, including turntables, CD players, and streaming devices.

How does the McIntosh C 49 Preamp handle phono inputs?

The C 49 includes dedicated phono inputs for both moving magnet (MM) and moving coil (MC) cartridges, providing high-quality amplification for vinyl playback.

Is the McIntosh C 49 Preamp suitable for home audio systems?

Yes, the McIntosh C 49 is designed for high-fidelity home audio systems, offering premium sound quality and flexible connectivity options for audiophiles.

Can the McIntosh C 49 Preamp be integrated into an existing stereo setup?

Absolutely, the C 49's versatile input and output options make it easy to integrate into most existing stereo systems, enhancing audio performance with its high-quality preamplification.

Gramophone

Gramophone

McIntosh C49 Preamp Review

Video thumbnail for McIntosh C49 Preamp Review by Gramophone

McIntosh C49 Preamp Review

Gramophone

Gramophone

Video thumbnail for McIntosh C49 Preamp Review by Audio Advice

McIntosh C49 Preamp Review

Audio Advice

Audio Advice

Video thumbnail for McIntosh C49 Stereo Preamplifier Unboxed | The Listening Post | TLPCHC TLPWLG by The Listening Post Christchurch | TLPCHC

McIntosh C49 Stereo Preamplifier Unboxed | The Listening Post | TLPCHC TLPWLG

The Listening Post Christchurch | TLPCHC

The Listening Post Christchurch | TLPCHC

Video thumbnail for Audioscore - Mcintosh C49 Review by Audio Scaleurs

Audioscore - Mcintosh C49 Review

Audio Scaleurs

Audio Scaleurs

Video thumbnail for Preamplifiers with Home Theater bypass shootout--$5500 McIntosh C49 vs $600 Parasound 2100,Denafrips by mrPmj00

Preamplifiers with Home Theater bypass shootout--$5500 McIntosh C49 vs $600 Parasound 2100,Denafrips

mrPmj00

mrPmj00

Video thumbnail for Test McIntosh mono block 611 - preamp C-49 - CD 350 - LH 0938870031 by Hoàng anh audio

Test McIntosh mono block 611 - preamp C-49 - CD 350 - LH 0938870031

Hoàng anh audio

Hoàng anh audio

Video thumbnail for Cambridge Audio Azur 851W stereo power amplifier and McIntosh C49 Preamplifier! by Andile Masuku

Cambridge Audio Azur 851W stereo power amplifier and McIntosh C49 Preamplifier!

Andile Masuku

Andile Masuku

Video thumbnail for McIntosh C49 Preamplifier, Rotel RB-1090, Monitor Audio Gold 200 5G by Andile Masuku

McIntosh C49 Preamplifier, Rotel RB-1090, Monitor Audio Gold 200 5G

Andile Masuku

Andile Masuku

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about McIntosh C 49 Stereo Solid State Preamp.

Comparisons

  • The McIntosh C49 preamp is often compared to vintage models like the C712, with users noting similar specs and features despite the C712's utilitarian design.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Klipsch Heresy speakers are frequently recommended for pairing with McIntosh gear due to their compatibility and vintage aesthetic that matches well with older McIntosh equipment.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • A suggested DAC for improving digital audio quality with McIntosh systems is the SMSL SU-1, noted for its entry-level price and comparable sound to higher-end models.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The C49 preamp, like other McIntosh models, benefits from the inclusion of autoformers, which are a hallmark feature appreciated for maintaining audio quality across various speaker loads.

    Source

User experience

  • Users often emphasize the importance of trying different audio sources, as some CDs may have superior mastering compared to streaming options like Spotify and Tidal.

    Source

Critic Reviews

McIntosh C49 Stereo Preamplifier Review - HomeTheaterHifi.com

hometheaterhifi.com

The McIntosh C49 Stereo Preamplifier is a high-end audiophile's dream, offering a rich, organic sound that enhances any music experience. Its modular design allows for future upgrades, and while it lacks wireless connectivity, it compensates with a plethora of inputs and superb build quality. The C49's lush soundstage and detail make it a standout, even making lesser recordings sound fuller. However, its hefty price tag of $5000 and the absence of a front USB input might deter some potential buyers. Despite these minor drawbacks, the C49's impeccable performance and timeless McIntosh elegance make it a worthy investment.

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