C12000
2-Channel Solid State and Vacuum Tube Preamplifier
 
Includes our Hybrid Drive™ technology that uses the best of vacuum tubes and solid state to produce the best sound performance
Separate audio & control sections
12 analog inputs including 2 configurable phono inputs
Offers both solid state and vacuum tube output
Fully balanced circuitry
 
Maximum Control and Configurability.
The C12000 Preamplifier is the next generation of our acclaimed two-chassis preamplifier design. The two-chassis design allows the audio section to be completely separated from the control and power sections. The absolute isolation of a preamplifier's two main functions – control and sound – is achieved by this unusual but effective design. Splitting these primary purposes of a preamplifier up into separate chassis will deliver the purest sound reproduction possible.
 
The C12000 is comprised of the C12000 Controller module and the C12000 Preamplifier module. All power control, data ports, and external control connections are located in the C12000 Controller. Dual isolated power supplies drive the left and right channels, while a dual microprocessor gives robustness to the control system. The C12000 Preamplifier houses the audio connections and circuitry. Inside each, the left and right channels are electrically and mechanically isolated from each other to allow true dual mono operation – resulting in the ultimate stereo separation and sonic purity. The two units are connected together via a pair of specially designed, high performance umbilical cables that are shielded to prevent outside noise from leaking into the audio signal. Although they are two separate units, when connected they act as one and are easy to control and operate from the included remote control or the C12000 Controller front panel.
 
The home audio stereo system comprised of the C12000 and MC3500 Mk II "simply sounds natural. Listen to it and you'll discover that you are listening to music — pure, simple, unadulterated music. It's not 'bright' or 'hard' or 'soft' or 'warm' or 'euphonic'… it’s just as you'd expect music to sound: natural." Named Stereo Preamplifier and Power Amplifier of the Year 2023. - Australian Hi-Fi Magazine
 
A total of 12 analog inputs1 are located in the C12000 Preamplifier module: six balanced, four unbalanced, and two unbalanced phono inputs. The phono inputs are no longer set up as dedicated for Moving Coil or Moving Magnet cartridges; instead, both are configurable as either Moving Coil or Moving Magnet with adjustable Capacitance and Resistance Loading, along with adjustable Gain in 6dB steps from 40dB to 64dB. This provides maximum flexibility for you to configure the C12000 to best fit your turntable(s), cartridge(s), and vinyl record collection.
 
The C12000 includes our Hybrid Drive™ technology that uses the best of vacuum tubes and solid state to produce the best sound performance. The C12000 Preamplifier module offers both vacuum tube and solid state output, allowing you to decide which to use based on the music being played, the audio components in the rest of your home audio system, and your sound preferences. All outputs are driven by discrete amplifiers. For vacuum tube output, six tubes or valves power the high-level preamplifier section with two 12AT7 tubes and one 12AX7A tube assigned to each the left and right channel. Solid state output is via a discrete balanced op-amp.
 
Specifications
 
Electronic Specifications
Number of Channels
2
Total Harmonic Distortion
High Level: 0.005%
Phono: 0.05%
Frequency Response
+0, -0.5dB from 20Hz to 20kHz
+0, -3dB from 10Hz to 100kHz
Maximum Volts Out (Balanced / Unbalanced)
20V RMS / 10V RMS
Sensitivity High Level (Balanced / Unbalanced)
900mV / 450mV
Sensitivity Phono (Moving Coil)
0.25 – 2.5mV
Sensitivity Phono (Moving Magnet)
5 – 10mV
Signal To Noise Ratio (High Level)
107dB
Signal To Noise Ratio (Moving Coil)
79dB
Signal To Noise Ratio (Moving Magnet)
83dB
Voltage Gain (High Level)
15dB
Voltage Gain (Moving Coil)
58 – 64dB
Voltage Gain (Moving Magnet)
40 – 46dB
Input Impedance (Balanced / Unbalanced)
50K ohms, 25K ohms
 
Connectivity
Balanced Input
6
Unbalanced Input
4
Phono Input Moving Coil
Up to 2 (unit has 2 Phono inputs; each is user configurable as either Moving Coil or Moving Magnet)
Phono Input Moving Magnet
Up to 2 (unit has 2 Phono inputs; each is user configurable as either Moving Coil or Moving Magnet)
Upgradeable Digital Audio Module
No
Digital Coaxial Input
0
Digital Optical Input
0
Digital MCT Input
0
Digital USB Input
0
HDMI (ARC) Input
0
Digital AES/EBU Input
0
Balanced Fixed Output
0
Balanced Variable Output
2 (1 for Solid State, 1 for Vacuum Tube)
Unbalanced Fixed Output
1
Unbalanced Variable Output
1
Headphone Output
1/4" High Drive with Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD®)
Selectable headphone impedances of: 16 ohms - 40 ohms, 40 - 150 ohms, 150 - 600 ohms
Input Level Match
Yes, +/- 6dB
Home Theater PassThru
Yes
Unbalanced Analog Connector Type
Premium gold-plated solid brass
Service Port
1
Network Connection
0
 
Control
Tone Controls
No
Tone Bypass and Input Assign
No
RS232 Control Input
Yes
Power Control Output
1 Main, 2 Output, 4 Trigger
Rear Panel Data Port
8
Rear Panel IR Sensor Input
Yes
 
General Specifications
Multi-Chassis or Single
Multi Chassis (C12000C plus C12000ST)
Output Meters
C12000C: No
C12000ST: Yes
Vacuum Tube or Solid State
Both (user selectable)
Power Consumption (On)
75 watts
 
Weights & Dimensions
Unit Dimensions (W x H x D)
Each module: 17.5" (44.45cm) x 6" (15.24cm) x 18" (45.7cm)
Unit Weight
C12000C: 27 lbs (12.3 kg)
C12000ST: 25 lbs (11.3 kg)
Shipping Weight
C12000C: 42 lbs (19.5 kg)
C12000ST: 40 lbs (17.7 kg)