The McIntosh C2800 is a high-performance two-channel vacuum-tube preamplifier designed to act as the central hub of a premium stereo system. It brings together traditional tube tonal character with modern connectivity and digital support, making it suitable for audiophiles who value both warm, musical sound and versatile input/output options.

Visually, the C2800 carries McIntosh’s unmistakable styling — polished stainless-steel chassis, black glass front panel, and visible vacuum tubes under a glass top panel, giving it both aesthetic presence and engineering pedigree.

PERFORMANCE FEATURES

• Electronic bass and treble circuitry allows for adjustments of low and high frequencies in precise 1dB steps. The C2800 remembers your tone control circuitry bypass setting for each input.
• High Drive Headphone Amplifier with Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD^®) technology brings an added dimension to headphone listening.
• Home Theater PassThru for seamless integration into your home theater system.
• Has received Roon Tested designation from Roon Labs. 
• Power Control lets you 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, noiseless, and distortion-free switching. 
• Level Trim Adjustment for matching analog input levels to prevent abrupt changes in volume levels.
• Precision balanced, digitally controlled attenuator system for accurate volume control with 0.1dB accuracy.
• Fully regulated power supplies and a special R-core power transformer for stable, noise-free operation.
• Eco-friendly Power Management System that will turn the unit off after 30 minutes of inactivity (can be disabled).

Technical Specifications

Here are the key specs for the C2800:

• Number of Channels: 2 (stereo) 

• Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): 0.08% 

• Frequency Response: +0/-0.5 dB from 20 Hz to 20 kHz; +0/-3 dB from 15 Hz to 100 kHz. 

• Maximum Output Voltage: 16 V RMS (balanced) / 8 V RMS (unbalanced) 

• Sensitivity (High Level): 900 mV (balanced) / 450 mV (unbalanced) 

• Sensitivity (Phono): 0.45 mV (MC) / 4.5 mV (MM) 

• Signal-to-Noise Ratio (S/N): ~100 dB (High Level); ~75 dB (Phono MM/MC) 

• Voltage Gain (Phono MC/MM): selectable 40, 46, 52, 58 or 64 dB 

• Input Impedance: Balanced 44 kΩ; Unbalanced 22 kΩ 

• Inputs: Balanced inputs 3; Unbalanced inputs 4; Up to 2 Phono inputs user-configurable (MM/MC). 

• Digital Inputs: 2× coaxial, 2× optical, 1× USB, 1× MCT, 1× HDMI ARC 

• Outputs: 3 stereo sets variable balanced + unbalanced, each set active simultaneously, with filters on Main & Output1, Output2 configurable mono/stereo/sub. 

• Tube Complement: 3 × 12AX7A + 1 × 12AT7 

• Dimensions (W × H × D): 17.5″ × 7.625″ × 16.5″ (≈ 44.45 cm × 19.4 cm × 41.9 cm) 

• Weight: ~28 lbs (~12.5 kg) net 

• Power Consumption (On): ~75 Watts