MCINTOSH C500

Second-hand, in mint condition, without scratches. Supplied with manual and remote control, no original packages.

Two chassis preamplifier

The first notable feature of the C500, inherited from its larger sibling, is the external design. Like the previous model, it includes a control unit, identified by the letter "C" used as a suffix. This unit serves two purposes: acting as the power supply for the entire system and as the control center for its preamplifier counterpart.

The philosophy is clear: isolate from the signal-processing stages everything that could generate interference. Hence, the transformer is removed, as are the cables carrying alternating current and the digital control circuits that produce numerous spurious signals. In general, everything unrelated to audio is kept separate. Alongside the usual inputs, the C500T features a dedicated phono section and three input/output loops. Specifically, there are three pairs of XLR connectors for balanced sources and four single-ended inputs, supplemented by phono jacks supporting MM and MC interfaces. One of the loops accepts balanced connections, while the remaining two, labeled "Processor" and "Server," use pin jack connectors.

For preamplifier outputs, the unit offers three balanced pairs, two of which can be activated via the remote control, along with one pair of pin jacks.

The C500 is essentially designed in a similar way to the C1000 but differs in allowing the use of only one preamp at a time, whether solid-state or tube-based. The build quality is what one would expect from McIntosh, and few will find fault with its audio performance.

Technical Specifications:

• Frequency Response: 10–20,000 Hz, 0, -0.5 dB.
• Total Harmonic Distortion: 0.05% max.
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio: 80 dB (Phono); 93 dB (Line).
• Output Impedance: 220 Ohms, both unbalanced and balanced.
• Phono Sensitivity: 4.5 mV (MM); 0.45 mV (MC).
• Dimensions (WxHxD): 44.45 × 15.24 × 61.00 cm (C500C); 44.45 × 15.24 × 58.42 cm (C500T)
• Weight: 17.7 kg (C500C); 15.4 kg (C500T)