C48

About the C48

The McIntosh C48 is a high-end stereo preamplifier designed for audiophiles seeking both analog and digital source flexibility. Manufactured between 2010 and 2015, it features eight analog inputs (including two phono inputs for moving magnet and moving coil cartridges), four programmable digital inputs (two coaxial, two optical), and a dedicated USB input for computer music playback. The C48 is equipped with a high-quality internal DAC that upsamples digital signals to 32-bit/192kHz resolution. Unique features include home theater pass-through, amplifier meter light control, and RS232 software upgradability. The preamplifier also offers five-band tone controls that can be programmed by input, and its moving coil and moving magnet phono sections are fully adjustable from the remote control. The C48 uses an inverted double-chassis design to isolate analog and digital circuits for optimal performance and features silent electromagnetic switching for reliable, distortion-free signal routing.