McIntosh C22
McIntosh valve preamplifier fitted with MM and MC phono inputs, balanced and unbalanced outputs, and its signature glass front panel.
Description
The McIntosh C22 is a valve preamplifier designed to drive one or two downstream power amplifiers. It occupies a central place in a hi-fi system, handling source selection and level adjustment before passing the amplified signal on to the power stage.
Its frequency response extends from 20 Hz to 20 kHz with a variation of +0/−0.5 dB, and from 15 Hz to 100 kHz at +0/−3 dB, reflecting stable reproduction across the entire audible spectrum and some margin beyond it. Total harmonic distortion is stated at 0.08%, a low figure for a valve unit that reflects particular care given to signal linearity. The preamplifier offers seven inputs, including two balanced XLR, three unbalanced RCA, and two dedicated phono inputs, one for moving magnet (MM) and one for moving coil (MC), allowing a turntable to be connected directly without a separate phono preamplifier. On the output side, four connections are available, two XLR and two RCA, allowing two power amplifiers to be connected simultaneously. The tone controls, bass and treble, are adjustable in 2 dB increments and can be bypassed to keep the signal as direct as possible.
This preamplifier is aimed at valve sound enthusiasts looking for a unit capable of handling both conventional digital or analogue sources and a turntable fitted with an MM or MC cartridge. Its versatile connectivity, combined with the ability to drive two separate amplifiers, makes it a centrepiece for demanding or multi-amplified listening setups.
Technical specifications
| Type | Valve preamplifier |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz – 20 kHz (+0/−0.5 dB) / 15 Hz – 100 kHz (+0/−3 dB) |
| Distortion (THD) | 0.08% |
| Inputs | 7 (2 × XLR, 3 × RCA, phono MM, phono MC) |
| Outputs | 4 (2 × XLR, 2 × RCA) |
| Tone controls | Bass and treble, bypassable (2 dB/step) |
| Front panel | Glass (McIntosh signature) |
| Dimensions (H × W × D) | 152.4 cm × 444.5 cm × 304.8 cm |
| Weight | 13.8 kg |
Dimensions and weight
What to check before buying used
The valves are the main point of attention with this type of preamplifier: their gradual wear can affect gain, produce more noticeable hiss, or cause an imbalance between channels, so their condition and age should be checked. The tone controls and input selector, being mechanically operated, are worth testing across their full range to detect any crackling caused by oxidised contacts. As the MM/MC phono input is particularly sensitive to interference, testing with a turntable will confirm the absence of any abnormal background noise.
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