McIntosh C12000 Tube and Transistor Preamp Review

[@hervepotargent2698]

Changed from a C2600 to the C12000 . Love the C2600 very much but the C12000 makes the room deeper , larger . Much more detail and plays smoother . I'm very impressed of the C12000 . Many thanks for all the video's of Audio Excellence .

[@enniolongoclucfpakatheinve9453]

I think the idea of having two preamps in one in one is so brilliant. To be able to go from tubes to solid state depending on the music or depending on the recording is brilliant. In a way, it's like the preamp version of the 901, McIntosh is able to combine its expertise in solid-state and tube now in both its amps and it's preamps.

[@JoeL-ju4nc]

Thanks for the great video! I enjoyed the videos on the C1100 and C12000. Any chance you guys can do another video focused on the direct comparison between the two units?

[@Darrylizer1]

It’s always fun for me to listen to you guys. Thanks!

[@JoeL-ju4nc]

How does the phonostages in the C1100 and C12000 compare to each other and the MP 1100? This would be a great video.

[@leslie-1127]

Very interesting comments. I am waiting for the C12000 and C2700 to arrive over the next few weeks. Will audition them and decide which to purchase. Just bought the MC 462 3 weeks ago. Hope the C12000 works well with my MC 462.

[@HOYINLM]

so c2700 or c12000?

[@leslie-1127]

@@HOYINLM hi, I understand c12000 arrived recently but all reserved. Still no stock for c2700 in Singapore. Hence, until now didn’t have the opportunity to audition the amps 😵‍💫. Maybe got to wait another month or 2.

[@HOYINLM]

@@leslie-1127 I am c2700 owner , interesting upgrade to c12000 , anyway thank you ur opinion

[@robvandendolder3157]

How does the C12000 tube section compare with the C1100 tube preamplifier as you guys thought so much of the C1100😎👍

[@StanThePigeon]

Great playlist! Thank you for sending it!

[@jearley22]

It would be helpful if you outlined what setup (speakers, source, cables) you tested the reviewed amp with. Also, it would be helpful to tell people, what kind of system this amp would be appropriate in.

[@vilipmak3973]

It is already mentioned by me in the video - Wilson Audio Yvettes, McIntosh MC611, Mytek Manhattan II and lots of Nordost and Audioquest - and our room.

[@Puroplatino]

@@vilipmak3973 Whats the main difference between this and my C1100? Is it worth the upgrade? I trust your judgement completely so if you could reply. Thanks my friend. Cheers from Italy 🇮🇹

[@vilipmak3973]

@@Puroplatino C12000 has transistor option. The tube section doesn't sound better - mostly different. If you already have a C1100, there's no need to change.

[@Puroplatino]

@@vilipmak3973 I knew I could count on your honest opinion. Thanks Vilip, you’re a good guy 💪🏼

[@pauldavies6037]

As a LP junky I would like to hear your reviews on the phono stages next

[@Clint_the_Audio-Photo_Guy]

I love the handles, and I *definitely* used the handles to move and install my MC-1.25KW mono's. They were practically mandatory. This would match nicely. Hmm. ;)

[@cgwolf3903]

An interesting and thoughtful review. Thank you. Love that it has the two different types of preamp. That there is no tape loop circuit kills it for me. I have a reel-to-real and a cassette deck. For now, I keep my C2200. Thanks again for your honest thoughts, feelings, and opinions.

[@Puroplatino]

Hello Adrian and Vilip. Isn’t this pretty much the same as the C1100? What differences are there?

[@Steveh817]

McIntosh gear may not be the best on the grand scale of hifi but they are iconic. I’ve been lusting after both McIntosh and Luxman since the late 70’s and early 80’s. I’m certain the C12000 would out perform my Schiit Freya+🤪. It too has a solid state and tube section🤨.

[@glichasasha750]

It might, but will is outperform the evo 400? Btw, freys is a lovely preamp, I have it together with the gungnir multibit

[@RealHIFIHelp]

Sounds like Mcintosh finally made a good preamp. I'd like to try it.

[@wiratornr.3510]

I agreed with Vilip. 1. The handles shape looked more right on a taller and deeper chassis. 2. Regarding burn in of both SS and tube circuit, even though Adrian said both were live, but ten The unused one that was not connected did not have any current flow thru it due open circuit, so The burn-in was not 100% performed, only warmed up due to prolong powered up. I hope new gen of Mcintosh will provide long service life till it become vintage and will be fully Serviceable till that day. In 20 years time front glass panel will be opaque. Before that the digital display May have dead pixels and worse of all when Mcintosh tell you no more replacement part available. Just like my ill fated C2200. A junk , due to lack of spare display and vintage ICs.

[@thomashowe5256]

How would you rate the phono pre-amp sections of McIntosh pre-amps as compared to stand alone phon preamps like the PS Audio Stellar Phono preamp?

[@louisperlman8030]

Can the tubes be shut off in solid state mode? That would be nice for someone, say working from home, to do non critical listening without losing tube life.

[@wiratornr.3510]

Even a very old model, C2200 can have phono tubes set to shut off completely when not in use. Problem is now I cannot turn it back on. And no way to repair, pity.

[@matteosmusicuniverse2861]

How would you compare the C12000 tube circuit to the C1100? You mentioned 1100 more delicate and 12000 more bold or brash? Thanks

[@gargle99]

I'm with Gitmo Bob... I really don't see the point of this redundancy. Most of the time I get the sense that Vilip and Adrian approach their reviews from the point of view of audiophiles and I feel that I've gained valuable knowledge based on their years of experience. Not this time. It felt like cheerleading for Mac. Sorry guys, you couldn't convince me that there was a valid point to two preamps

[@vilipmak3973]

Don't think of it as two Preamps. Just consider the sound - go hear it for yourself. The second option is a bonus. Some people like having options and versatility.

[@jackstraw1756]

People buying that rig have the money to buy multiple amps. Pair it with a SS amp, you can run full SS saving tubes, want to go tubes pair it with a tube amp. If I had the cash I’d be all over it.

[@DR.Detroit11]

Handles !! all day!

[@danil34]

Adrian. Are you from Singapore?

[@TheCamerlengo7]

@Vilip I’ve been meaning to tell you, I recently watched a clip where you described preowned gear on offer, and I realized you’re about my (middle) age, not a youngster. When you sit there in your hockey jersey and baseball cap you look twenty something on my iPhone screen, so my apologies. I still think you’re the Enfant Terrible of audio though, the Canadian Corey Greenberg. 😉

[@TheCamerlengo7]

PS: I like the handles. 😜

[@anonymohipp9097]

Thank you. Great video! Could you review the Lumin U1?

[@tomfoord8158]

Thank You for your nice job, just if you can please get the Michi M8 monoblock to your shop and do review, thanks !!

[@vilipmak3973]

We're listening to them now. Jury's still out. They're not necessarily affordable. They're not better than the MC611.

[@gitmobob6266]

I just don't get the idea of having 2 separate signal paths running through the chassis that are active all the time with no effect to each other. I also believe if you like tunes why pay fir a solid state section you won't use and vice-versa. Especially if you only use the SS section and have all those tubes consuming power and heating your room. Just makes no sense just buy what you like.

[@vilipmak3973]

Small signal tubes will not heat up your room.

[@Kiwi_Col]

Volume is very low at -14db. Not audio excellence.

[@glichasasha750]

Finally Vilip’s dream came true. Now everything from McIntosh has handles so that he can work out easier. Vilip, if you really want to get buffed up, go with the 1.25’s!

[@pgoodier]

Vilip, I’m with you. I don’t like the handles.

[@xyzDonaldxyz]

Go Leafs!

[@vilipmak3973]

Go!

[@saint6563]

Good news is... you get 2 preamps. Bad news is... you pay for 2 preamps. LOL

[@stephane_edouard]

Vilip obviously didn't like it

[@vilipmak3973]

I obviously did like it. I gave it 2 thumbs up!

[@calebizsol]

get rid of mr, arrogance

[@divertiti]

Mcintosh stuff is all pretty mid-fi, lacking in dynamics and transparency. Much like Harley Davidson, you're paying just for a name plate without commensurate performance.

[@Evo9john]

Can you provide an example of gear that you believe offers better value and dynamics? When shopping for mono blocks, I found the MC611s at 15k to be fairly priced and very dynamic. Many of McIntosh's competitors offer only stereo amps north of 15k.

[@divertiti]

@@Evo9john I'd rather have Grphyon Essense stereo than Mcintosh monos. AGD also has Vivace monos for $15K that I'd take over the Mcintosh any day.

[@Evo9john]

@@divertiti I agree, the AGD monos look like a great value. I've never heard them, but they look stunning.

[@divertiti]

@@Evo9john I've also heard them, they're the future of class D, sounds absolutely fantastic

[@vilipmak3973]

The biggest open secret in the audiophile world is that McIntosh is AUDIOPHILE - it may not have some of the exaggerations that other manufacturers will promote - it will never be bright, aggressive, forward, fatiguing, unnatural, I could go on. It will captivate, beguile, encourage, delight and before you know it, you'll have had a listening session lasting well into the early morning from the night before.

[@vaneast411]

couple that versatile preamp with a variety of power amps/speaker combos for the ultimate in system variability...