Dan maybe Mcintosh will loan you one so you can write one of your "dandy" reviews :D When something new comes out from Mcintosh it is hard not to contemplate a change. So far I have resisted " upgrading" I have been happy with my present system for 5 years and would not mind experimenting with a change or two . I will say, something unbelievable would have to come my way before I get rid of my 501's :yes: . In answer to your question, if the C1100 is truly a upgrade over the C1000T sound wise then I would buy one. It would have to have quiet MC phono pre amp, quieter than my C2300 for sure.

I would like to see that. Few can write a review like Dan. That's for sure! :yes:

Now that would be the best more fair detailed review once could ask for. Dan could state all of his existing great used to perform the test and state all of the features, performance data etc.

I think that this could actually be a ++ for McIntosh not a take away, since the machine is less than a C1000.x system one could determine the relational benefits to the 1000 and and the other preamps that Dan has and has owned. :)

win win as I see it...

great post idea 1KW

It's supposed to have better specs than the C1000. Also more of a pure tube design than the C1000t

As an owner of the MDA1000 and MCD1000 I can attest to the build quality of the Mcintosh 1000 range. Plus they're beautiful components. :thumbsup:

From McIntosh email:



The C1100, comprised of the C1100 controller and the C1100 vacuum tube preamplifier, brings a new level of performance and luxury to McIntosh’s heralded preamplifier offerings – evidenced by its high level inputs having the lowest noise of any McIntosh preamplifier ever produced. It utilizes a two-chassis design where the control and power sections are completely separate from the audio section. Absolute isolation of a preamplifier’s two main functions – control and sound – is achieved by this unusual but effective design and will provide the purest sound reproduction possible for generations of listening enjoyment...


Electronic Specifications

Total Harmonic Distortion

High Level: 0.005%
Phono: 0.05%
Frequency Response

+0, -0.5dB from 20Hz to 20,000Hz
+0, -3dB from 10Hz to 100,000Hz
Maximum Volts Out (Balanced / Unbalanced)

20/10 V RMS
Input Impedance (Balanced / Unbalanced)

50K ohms, 25K ohms
Phono Voltage Gain

Moving Magnet: 40dB
Moving Coil: 60dB

High Level Voltage Gain

To Main Output and Outputs 1 & 2: 15dB
To REC/FIXED Output: 0dB
Signal To Noise Ratio

107dB
Dual Mono Power Supply

Yes
Dual Mono, Fully Balanced

Yes


Connectivity

Headphone Output

Yes 1/4", High Drive with Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD®)
Selectable headphone impedances of: 16 ohms - 40 ohms, 40 - 150 ohms, 150 - 600 ohms
Inputs Balanced

6 Stereo
Inputs Unbalanced

4 Stereo + 2 Phono
Variable Outputs Balanced

2 Stereo
Variable Outputs Unbalanced

2 Stereo
Digital USB Input

1 (for system update only)
Digital Coaxial Input

0

Digital Optical Input

0
Digital DIN (SACD) Input

0
Phono Moving Magnet

Yes, adjustable
Phono Moving Coil

Yes, adjustable
Record Processor Loop

Yes
Input Level Match

Yes, +/- 6dB
Home Theater Pass Through

Yes


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 Ports

Yes, 8
Rear Panel IR Sensor Input

Yes


General Specifications

Multi-Chassis or Single

Multi Chassis (C1100C plus C1100T)
Output Meters

C1100C: No
C1100T: Yes

Tube or Solid State

Tube, (6) 12AX7a and (6) 12AT7
On, Power Consumption

75 watts


Weights & Dimensions

Dimensions (W x H x D)

Each chassis:
17.5" (44.45cm) x 6" (15.24cm) x 18" (45.7cm)
Weight

C1100C: 27 lbs (12.3 kg)
C1100T: 25 lbs (11.3 kg)

Shipping Weight

C1100C: 43.5 lbs (19.7 kg)
C1100T: 39.5 lbs (17.9 kg)




http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/Assets/I...1100T_Back.jpg


http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/Assets/I...1100C_Back.jpg

http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/Assets/I...Angle_Left.jpg

Twelve vacuum tubes (6 each of 12AX7a and 12AT7) power the tube preamplifier. Compared to the C1000 preamplifier which had 8 tubes, the additional 4 tubes in the C1100 lowers its dependency on any solid-state support.

Dan, correct me if I am mistaken but the specifications you used for the C1000 tube unit were in fact the C1000 solid state unit's specifications. Across the board the C1100 is far superior spec wise when compared to the C1000 tube unit: C1000t/C1100: S/N 93/107 dB; .08/.005% distortion; identical frequency responses. These numbers are available for anyone to peruse/verify on the Mac website. In addition the C1100 is more of a tube unit, having many more tubes.

Charles.......Yes, the C1000 specifications I used are for the C1000P, just as I stated in the first sentence of that post. Some comments were posted about the C1000 preamplifiers as though the specifications of the C1100 bested both versions. I simply pointed out this isn't true along with a few other differences and omissions.

Dan, I think it will be interesting to see the specifications on the C1100 solid state unit when it arrives. I'm not in the market for a new preamp but if I were I'd seriously consider the SS version.

Charles.......Providing there is a solid state version coming. At this point there is only Internet chatter.