93%
McIntosh Labs C2700 2-Channel Vacuum Tube Preamplifier
- 16 inputs (9 analog + 7 digital)
- (5) 12AX7A and (1) 12AT7 vacuum tubes
- Supports up to DSD512 files
- Comes with DA2 Digital Audio Module installed
Following in a long line of revered McIntosh vacuum tube preamplifiers is the C2700 Tube Preamplifier. Using our well-established vacuum tube topology, the C2700 also features our advanced DA2 Digital Audio Module technology to combine cutting edge digital music capabilities with time tested vacuum tube performance.
A worthy successor to our popular DA1 Digital Audio Module, the DA2 features an expanded set of capabilities. The DA2 offers 7 digital inputs including all the same connections found on the DA1 (2 coaxial, 2 optical, 1 USB and 1 MCT) plus a new audio-only HDMI Audio Return Channel (ARC)1 connection. TVs with a compatible HDMI (ARC) output can be connected to the C2700 to enjoy your TV’s sound through your home audio system. Popular multi-channel audio formats from Dolby® and DTS® are supported and will be expertly converted to 2-channel audio for proper playback. The TV remote can control the power and volume of the C2700 when CEC communication is enabled in both the preamplifier and the TV. Besides these new HDMI (ARC) features found in the DA2, its USB input has increased DSD playback support up to DSD512 compared to the DSD256 limit of the DA1.
The DA2 is powered by a next generation, audiophile-grade, Quad Balanced, 8-channel, 32-bit Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) that has improvements in both dynamic range and total harmonic distortion compared to the DA1. The coax and optical inputs in the DA2 can decode digital music up to 24-bit/192kHz for playback of high resolution audio. Finally, the DA2 has a McIntosh exclusive MCT input that offers a secure DSD connection to any of our MCT series of SACD/CD Transports to deliver the best possible sound quality of the high definition audio from your SACDs.
For analog music, the C2700 has 9 inputs comprised of 3 balanced connections, 4 unbalanced connections, along with 1 Moving Coil and 1 Moving Magnet phono inputs for connecting a turntable or two. With a total of 16 inputs, the C2700 has a virtually infinite number of inputs to connect all your music sources. Our dual chassis design keeps the analog and digital sections separate to prevent signal corruption. Outputs include 3 variable balanced and 3 variable unbalanced plus 1 fixed unbalanced connection.
Bass and treble tone controls are included and can be adjusted in 2dB increments. The ¼” headphone jack is powered by our High Drive Headphone Amplifier which can power almost any pair of headphones; Headphone Crossfeed Director (HXD®) is included and brings an added dimension to your personal listening session when activated. Home Theater Pass Through allows the C2700 to be seamlessly integrated into your home theater system. Power Control ports let you easily turn other connected McIntosh components on and off, while the Data Ports can send remote control commands to connected source components.
The C2700 is one of many McIntosh products to receive Roon Tested designation from Roon Labs. As a Roon Tested partner, McIntosh has provided equipment to Roon for testing with a variety of different operating systems and computers, and shared information about its design and capabilities.
All the C2700’s audio technology is packed inside the timeless McIntosh design highlighted by a black glass front panel backlit by direct LED lighting, blue meters, rotary knobs, an illuminated logo, aluminum end caps and a polished stainless steel chassis. The 6 alluring vacuum tubes can be viewed through a glass panel located on the top of the preamplifier. It can be paired with an assortment of amplifiers, CD players, turntables, tuners, media streamers, room correction devices and power controllers, and speakers to complete your home audio system. Contact your local dealer to learn more.
- The HDMI (ARC) input will only play audio from a compatible TV. It will not pass video to or from a TV, or play audio from any non-TV source.
The terms HDMI, HDMI High-Definition Multimedia Interface, and the HDMI Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of HDMI Licensing Administrator, Inc. Dolby is a registered trademark of Dolby Laboratories. DTS, DTS-HD, the Symbol, & DTS or DTS-HD and the Symbol together are registered trademarks of DTS, Inc. © DTS, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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McIntosh C2700 2-Channel Vacuum Tube Preamplifier
The C2700 blends classic tube character with a modern, upgradeable DA2 digital engine to deliver a versatile, musical front end. Reviewers from Positive Feedback and StereoNET highlight the DA2's high-resolution support (USB to DSD512, coax/optical to 24/192) and an audio-only HDMI (ARC) for clean TV integration. Sonically it offers warm yet transparent tube coloration with strong dynamics, weighty bass and precise imaging—qualities noted by Audiophilepure and SoundStage Solo. The onboard MM/MC phono stage is unusually quiet, the High Drive headphone amp with HXD expands listening options, and McIntosh's trademark black glass, tube window and separated analogue/digital layout underscore premium build. For buyers seeking a single, future-proof preamplifier with both analogue soul and modern connectivity, the C2700 is a compelling choice.
Pros
- Comprehensive, high-resolution digital connectivity via the upgradeable DA2 (USB to DSD512, 2 coax, 2 optical, MCT, plus HDMI ARC) for modern source flexibility.
- Exceptionally quiet, capable MM/MC phono stage and a robust High Drive headphone amp (with HXD) that handle vinyl and headphones without hiss or coloration issues.
- Refined musical presentation with strong dynamics, weighty bass and outstanding imaging—delivering palpable presence and detailed soundstaging across line and headphone outputs.
- Premium McIntosh build and thoughtful engineering (tube window, black glass fascia, separated analogue/digital layout and extensive I/O) that support long-term system integration.
Transparency
92/100
Multiple reviewers and specs support an exceptionally low noise floor and neutral line-stage performance: SoundStage notes a 100 dB SNR for the line stage and Positive Feedback explicitly says the phono stage has "not a hiss, not a hum." As a tube preamp some mild tube euphony is expected, but reporting of very low noise and accurate frequency response (+0/-0.5 dB 20 Hz–20 kHz) justify a high transparency score.
Sound Quality
93/100
Dynamics
92/100
Reports highlight strong micro- and macro-dynamics and satisfying punch and weight (Positive Feedback: "weight and punch", StereoNET: DA2 improves dynamic range). The C2700 preserves liveliness and transient impact across headphone and line outputs, supporting excellent dynamics for a tube preamp.
Soundstage Imaging
95/100
Imaging and out-of-head performance are singled out by reviewers—Positive Feedback called the HXD-enabled headphone imaging the best out-of-head experience they'd heard from that setup—and several reviews cite improved imaging and detail retrieval. That level of spatial performance justifies a reference-level score in this category.
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Build Quality
92/100
McIntosh's trademark industrial and cosmetic quality is well documented: black glass fascia, illuminated logo, tube window, solid knobs and premium connectors. Reviews note thoughtful separation of analogue and digital sections (two-layer single chassis) and a robust feature set, supporting a high build-quality rating.
Features Connectivity
92/100
Extremely well equipped: DA2 upgradable digital module with USB (DSD512/DXD384), 2 coax, 2 optical, MCT input, HDMI ARC, three XLR and four RCA analog inputs, MM/MC phono, three variable balanced and three variable unbalanced outputs, high-drive headphone amp with HXD, tone controls, home-theatre pass-thru and control ports. This breadth places it in the fully-featured tier.
Value for Money
95/100
Multiple reviewers explicitly call the C2700 a bargain or say it delivers value beyond its price (Audiophilepure: "The C2700 is a bargain..."; Positive Feedback: "far greater in value than the sum of its parts"). Given consistent, strong praise for performance relative to cost across reviews, this merits a strong-value score.
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