C500T vs C500
The C500's signal-to-noise is 80 dB against the C500T's 88 dB. Both share thd (0.050%), output voltage (10.0V RMS), and weight (15.4 kg (34 lbs)).
Both turn up in the same documented systems.
AI-generated product photo — not official manufacturer imagery.
AmplifiersTube AmplifiersPre-AmplifiersHeadphone AmplifiersDiscontinued
Estimated price (community-sourced)
$6,500
Around — community and catalog average, updates slowly
About the C500T
The McIntosh C500T Tube Preamplifier is part of the luxurious two-box C500 stereo preamplifier design, where the C500C controller handles power supply and control, separate from the C500T audio processing chassis using vacuum tubes (eight 12AX7 tubes: four in high level circuit, four in phono). It offers MM and MC phono stages (MC uses solid-state step-up modules), home theater passthrough, powerful headphone amp, stereo output meters, fully balanced design, variable rate volume control, silent switching, and dual regulated R-Core power supplies. Manufactured from 2007 to 2015, it is no longer produced but praised for reference-grade sound with natural presence, low noise floor, superb phono performance, and flexibility for tube rolling or swapping to solid-state C500P.
Specifications
Analog Output
Analog signal output specifications
- THD
- 0.050%
- SNR
- 88 dB
- Output Voltage
- 10.0V RMS
Connectivity
Input and output connections
- Bluetooth
- No
- Wi-Fi
- No
- Ethernet
- No
- Analog Inputs
- Balanced, Unbalanced
- Analog Outputs
- Balanced, Unbalanced
Physical Dimensions
Size, weight, and appearance
- Dimensions
- 444.5 × 152.4 × 580.42 mm (W × H × D)
- Weight
- 15.4 kg (34 lbs)
Specifications are community-contributed and may not be accurate or complete. Verify all details with the manufacturer before making purchasing decisions. Terms & Conditions