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C49 2-Channel Solid State Preamplifier
 
13 inputs (7 analog + 6 digital)
Supports up to DSD256 files
Comes with DA1 Digital Audio Module installed
Optional dealer installed upgrade to DA2 Digital Audio Module available
 
Be prepared for future digital music technologies with the C49 Preamplifier. The C49 features our DA1 Digital Audio Module, which can be replaced by new modules as new digital audio technologies are developed. This will allow you to keep your C49 up to date with digital music formats and viable well into the future.
 
The C49 comes with a multitude of inputs. For analog, it has 2 balanced and 3 unbalanced, along with 2 phono inputs (comprised of 1 Moving Coil and 1 Moving Magnet) for connecting turntables. On the digital side, it has 6 inputs housed in the DA1 module. The inputs are: 2 coaxial, 2 optical, 1 USB and 1 proprietary MCT (for use with our MCT series of SACD/CD Transports). The DA1 is powered by an 8-channel, 32-bit Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) that is used in Quad Balanced mode; it supports up to DSD256 and DXD 384kHz for playback of high resolution audio. (NOW AVAILABLE: Optional dealer installed upgrade to the DA2 Digital Audio Module.) In total, the C49 has 13 inputs, and each can be given user-friendly names to simplify system setup and control.
 
"Digital was clean, but not harsh, imaging and soundstage were good, and after a download of McIntosh USB drivers the DA1 ran with no issues. You would have to buy a pretty stellar stand alone DAC to outperform the DA1, in my opinion. Maybe you’d even pay prices that would rival the cost of the entire C49 before getting something well above what it can do." Winner of 2021 Editors Choice Award for Preamplifiers. - Part-Time Audiophile
 
Specifications
 
Electronic Specifications
Number of Channels
2
Total Harmonic Distortion
0.005%
Frequency Response
+0, -0.5dB from 20Hz to 20kHz
+0, -3dB from 15Hz to 100kHz
Maximum Volts Out (Balanced / Unbalanced)
16V RMS / 8V RMS
Sensitivity High Level (Balanced / Unbalanced)
900mV / 450mV
Sensitivity Phono (Moving Coil)
0.45mV
Sensitivity Phono (Moving Magnet)
4.5mV
Signal To Noise Ratio (High Level)
100dB
Signal To Noise Ratio (Moving Coil)
80dB
Signal To Noise Ratio (Moving Magnet)
82dB
Voltage Gain (High Level)
15dB
Voltage Gain (Moving Coil)
60dB
Voltage Gain (Moving Magnet)
40dB
Input Impedance (Balanced / Unbalanced)
44K ohm, 22K ohm
 
Connectivity
Balanced Input
2
Unbalanced Input
3
Phono Input Moving Coil
1 (adjustable)
Phono Input Moving Magnet
1 (adjustable)
Upgradeable Digital Audio Module
Yes: DA1
Digital Coaxial Input
2
Digital Optical Input
2
Digital MCT Input
1
Digital USB Input
1
HDMI (ARC) Input
0
Digital AES/EBU Input
0
Balanced Fixed Output
0
Balanced Variable Output
2
Unbalanced Fixed Output
1
Unbalanced Variable Output
2
Headphone Output
1/4" High Drive with Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD®)
Input Level Match
Yes, +/- 6dB
Home Theater PassThru
Yes
Unbalanced Analog Connector Type
Standard
Service Port
1
Network Connection
0
 
Control
Tone Controls
Bass and Treble
Tone Bypass and Input Assign
Yes
RS232 Control Input
Yes
Power Control Output
1 Main, 2 Trigger
Rear Panel Data Port
4
Rear Panel IR Sensor Input
Yes
 
General Specifications
Multi-Chassis or Single
Single, two layer
Output Meters
No
Vacuum Tube or Solid State
Solid State
Power Consumption (On)
30 Watts
 
Weights & Dimensions
Unit Dimensions (W x H x D)
17.5" (44.45cm) x 6" (15.2cm) x 18" (45.72cm)
Unit Weight
23 lbs (10.4 kg)
Shipping Weight
37.5 lbs (17 kg)