McIntosh C12000 Preamplifier

[Vintage Pete]

Here we go....

https://www.mcintoshlabs.com/product...lifiers/C12000

[Maks]

Not something I'm in the market for but that is a beauty for sure. Without looking at the specs I don't see a whole lot different from the C1100.

[Vintage Pete]

Originally Posted by Maks

Not something I'm in the market for but that is a beauty for sure. Without looking at the specs I don't see a whole lot different from the C1100.

One thing that pops out for me is that it's configurable for either tube or SS output. The C1000 preamplifier had a separate box for either tube or solid state, depending on user preference. So, you might have been purchasing 3 boxes. With that in mind, the price of the C12000, which can provide both, seems more palatable.

The C12000 is certainly a beauty. I'd never heard of "Titanium Stainless Steel". From looking at the pictures, the black parts of the chassis look REALLY black, and gorgeous.

[Maks]

Ah, I saw those outputs, I just assumed it was like the prior C1X00 series with the different boxes for SS/tube. That explains why it mentions the phono stage is tubed regardless. Unfortunately for me, having tone adjustment is a necessity so none of these higher end pres will be in my future. But I get why they've omitted them.

[Vintage Pete]

Originally Posted by Maks

Ah, I saw those outputs, I just assumed it was like the prior C1X00 series with the different boxes for SS/tube. That explains why it mentions the phono stage is tubed regardless. Unfortunately for me, having tone adjustment is a necessity so none of these higher end pres will be in my future. But I get why they've omitted them.

Maks....yep, we're on the same page on that tone control thingy. However, I do have to look at this preamp with awe just the same...as I did (and still do) with the original C1000.

[j3brow]

Originally Posted by Maks

Ah, I saw those outputs, I just assumed it was like the prior C1X00 series with the different boxes for SS/tube. That explains why it mentions the phono stage is tubed regardless. Unfortunately for me, having tone adjustment is a necessity so none of these higher end pres will be in my future. But I get why they've omitted them.

I agree. I own the C1100 and would have liked to have seen tone controls included with this design that can be switched out of the circuit if the user desires. I mean come on, if you are adding circuitry to allow the user to switch between solid state and tube and have figured out a way to do so without affecting sound quality then you can make the jump to defeatable tone controls without affecting signal purity. And lose the preamp handles for goodness sake. I’d rather see a cup holder on top than handles on a component this size. Kinda ridiculous. Yet, I’ll prob still buy it one day, have no doubt it will sound better than the C1100, somehow.

[Maks]

Originally Posted by j3brow

I agree. I own the C1100 and would have liked to have seen tone controls included with this design that can be switched out of the circuit if the user desires. I mean come on, if you are adding circuitry to allow the user to switch between solid state and tube and have figured out a way to do so without affecting sound quality then you can make the jump to defeatable tone controls without affecting signal purity. And lose the preamp handles for goodness sake. I’d rather see a cup holder on top than handles on a component this size. Kinda ridiculous. Yet, I’ll prob still buy it one day, have no doubt it will sound better than the C1100, somehow.

I can go either way on the handles personally, but I would agree for gear of that size/weight it doesn't really make sense. And yes, there has to be a way to fully bypass tone controls if not needed. Like I said though, I get what they are going for. The purest signal possible. At least they didn't remove the rec/fixed out, although as I mentioned in another thread I feel like removing tape loops from their all analog products is a mistake. Accuphase still includes tape loops. That all said--I believe this product will sell to their intended user base.

[Vintage Pete]

Originally Posted by Maks

I can go either way on the handles personally, but I would agree for gear of that size/weight it doesn't really make sense. And yes, there has to be a way to fully bypass tone controls if not needed. Like I said though, I get what they are going for. The purest signal possible. At least they didn't remove the rec/fixed out, although as I mentioned in another thread I feel like removing tape loops from their all analog products is a mistake. Accuphase still includes tape loops. That all said--I believe this product will sell to their intended user base.

I agree with much of this. As to the handles, I would agree they make a lot more sense on a large amplifier, for this reason I never bothered to look into handles for my MCD/MDA1000 units. I like the way they look just as they are. But for some reason, I found myself liking the look of the handles on this product. Don't know why. Tone controls? Well, I'm in the tone control camp, and probably always will be. Without getting into that debate, if I could afford this unit, I'd probably be hesitant to buy it for that reason. Would it stop me? It might, which brings me to the discussion about the tape/processor loop. Absent tone controls, I'd want some way to insert a processor, such as an equalizer. Now you're taking both options away from me! These are major reasons why I've held on to my C40 preamp for so long...it has both defeatable tone controls, AND a processor loop. It has everything I could want, I can add tape recorders on top of all that. It has really served all my needs well, and sound great.

And yet, when I see the C12000, I'm still moved by it!

[Maks]

Originally Posted by Vintage Pete

I agree with much of this. As to the handles, I would agree they make a lot more sense on a large amplifier, for this reason I never bothered to look into handles for my MCD/MDA1000 units. I like the way they look just as they are. But for some reason, I found myself liking the look of the handles on this product. Don't know why. Tone controls? Well, I'm in the tone control camp, and probably always will be. Without getting into that debate, if I could afford this unit, I'd probably be hesitant to buy it for that reason. Would it stop me? It might, which brings me to the discussion about the tape/processor loop. Absent tone controls, I'd want some way to insert a processor, such as an equalizer. Now you're taking both options away from me! These are major reasons why I've held on to my C40 preamp for so long...it has both defeatable tone controls, AND a processor loop. It has everything I could want, I can add tape recorders on top of all that. It has really served all my needs well, and sound great.

And yet, when I see the C12000, I'm still moved by it!

Yep, we are completely on the same page. The only serious "upgrade" I'd consider would be a new C2300--no DAC like the current models. But if I'm being honest, I have zero complaints, I just want the fancier display of the newer models

[rnrmf1971]

Nice work on creating a classic McIntosh-looking preamp. It's a beauty!