McIntosh C100 Preamplifier and Controller w/ Box/packing/remote/manual - EXCELLENT Condition!

Manufactured 1997 - 2000.

Consists of the C100C Controller and C100P Preamplifier. First dual chassis preamplifier design.

FEATURES:

Fully balanced circuitry from input to output

Dual chassis isolates audio signals from power and switching Extra wide dynamic range

Ultra-low distortion

Silent electromagnetic switching

Precision, optically regulated volume control with digital readout in decibels or percent

Programmable source trim

10 source selections including separate MM and MC phono

3 balanced inputs (includes balanced tape loop)

4 balanced outputs (Main, Tape1, Line 1, Line 2)

Independent listen and record selection

Dual processor loops

Control data output for source components

Remote power control (2 main, 2 switched)

Separate electronic regulators for each preamplifier section

Discrete output stage

Polyester coupling capacitors

Low-noise 1% metal film resistors throughout

Ultra-precision (.5%) metal film resistors and 1% polypropylene capacitors for phono equalization

Gold-plated input and output jacks

Modular construction with steel chassis

Glass front panel with illuminated nomenclature

Infrared remote control (all circuitry in power supply chassis)

Connector for external IR sensor

Headphone jack

Featured Technologies:

FULLY BALANCED DUAL-CHASSIS DESIGN. The extraordinary C100 is fully balanced from input to output – a configuration that essentially cancels all distortion. The precision volume control has four matched sections and the main gain stage uses four matched amplifiers operating in push-pull. Even unbalanced signals are converted to and processed as balanced signals. The Preamplifier chassis, which contains only audio circuits and inputs/outputs, is completely isolated from the power supply and the microprocessors, ensuring total noise rejection. The Controller chassis contains the selector switches, digital display, all control microprocessors, and the power supply. After any switching operation, the control circuits are automatically turned off to eliminate any possibility of microprocessor noise reaching the audio circuits. The only connection between the Preamplifier and Controller is a 25-pin shielded cable.

SILENT ELECTROMAGNETIC SWITCHING. In a conventional preamp, an input signal travels to a switch, and then travels to the input circuitry. Unfortunately, the farther a signal must travel, the more distorted it becomes. And this says nothing of what detritus a dirty switch can add to the signal. McIntosh Silent Electromagnetic Switching literally brings the switch to the input. The distortion-free switch consists of a glass tube containing oxygen-free gas and two signal leads separated by mere thousandths of an inch. The tube sits in a multilayer copper coil and the entire assembly is encased in shock-absorbent plastic. When DC voltage is applied to the coil in response to a switching command, current flow creates a magnetic field that causes the leads to bend and contact one another, completing the circuit. The inert gas eliminates corrosion of the contacts, ensuring a low-resistance, distortion-free switch that never needs cleaning. Another benefit is that non-selected inputs are truly “off,” eliminating potential sources of interference.

PRECISION, OPTICALLY REGULATED VOLUME CONTROL. If McIntosh electromagnetic switching brings the switch to the input, then the C100’s volume control brings the attenuator to the input. The volume knob actually operates an optical rotary encoder with 128 steps; it sends instructions at the speed of light to the digitally controlled attenuator located near the inputs. Together they provide 0.5dB resolution with 0.05dB accuracy.

PROGRAMMABLE SOURCE TRIM. A traditional McIntosh feature that allows matching the output levels of different source components, source trim in the C100 establishes new standards for audio purity and operating convenience. Instead of adjusting individual potentiometers, the trim for each input is stored electronically as a volume offset, using the tuner level as the standard.

ADVANCED PHONO SECTION. Phono inputs are provided for both moving magnet and moving coil phono cartridges. The MC inputs have a dedicated RIAA preamplifier and double mu-metal-shielded step-up transformers wound with silver wire.

BALANCED CONNECTIONS. Balanced connections guard against induced noise. A balanced connection between the C100 and the MC1000 amp provides 40dB more noise protection than would an unbalanced (“single-ended”) connection.