C49 Preamplifier

The McIntosh C49 is a solid-state preamplifier designed to manage analog and digital sources in one two-channel control center. Its clean front-panel layout includes direct bass and treble adjustment, input selection, and headphone listening without crowding the primary controls.

Thirteen inputs span balanced and unbalanced analog connections, moving-coil and moving-magnet phono inputs, and the included DA1 Digital Audio Module. The modular digital section supports files through 24-bit/192kHz and DSD256 and can be replaced by the DA2 module, allowing the digital capability to evolve while the analog preamplifier remains in the system.

Three Important Features

• Thirteen-source capacity: Analog, phono, and digital inputs accommodate a broad two-channel source collection.
• Upgradeable digital module: The included DA1 supports high-resolution playback and can be replaced by the DA2 module.
• Two phono inputs: Dedicated moving-coil and moving-magnet inputs support separate cartridge types.

Three Important Specifications

• Architecture: Solid-state, two-channel preamplifier.
• Total harmonic distortion: 0.005%.
• Frequency response: +0/-0.5dB from 20Hz to 20kHz; +0/-3dB from 15Hz to 100kHz.