Tube Sweetness
Jesse from Xenia, OH on 3/16/2025
This replaces a McIntosh Mx117. The 41 year old Mx117 sounds surprising similar to the C8. But there have been some subtle improvements. The C8 is more airy, open, subtle, with greater clarity. Balanced connections do make a difference in lowering the noise floor. Volume knob is treat to use. This Mx117 has a warmer fuller lower midrange but at the cost of clarity, definition, and imaging. Listening to Dire Straits on SACD sounds like I am in the studio with C8. Not just better sound, but amazing sound.
Pros: Feature packed, user friendly, great McIntosh sound.
Cons: Would be a bargain at $3500, $4000 is a fair price.
2 of 4 found this helpful
C8 is a Geat Value
David from Port Washington, WI on 11/13/2024
The C8 has provided exactly what I wanted/needed for improved stereo sound. I integrated it into my home theater system (passthru) for my front speakers using Marantz AV8805, Revel F208's, and a Nad C298 to power the Revel speakers. The Nad and Revel speakers are a great combo but stereo mode with the Marantz preamp/pro still left me wanting even more musicality for serious stereo listening. I use a Cary Audio DMS-700 network audio as my stereo source and dac for my digitally stored music and for Qobuz listening. I added the Audio Lab 6000cdt cd transport also using the Cary dac for my large cd collection. I can now listen all day long (no listening fatigue) with the C8 in place. One of the best investments I made to get the sound I wanted. Considering adding a turntable
Pros: Added the needed musicality for a neutral power amp and speaker combination.
Cons: None that I know of
7 of 7 found this helpful
All things considered, and impressive product
Raimund from ANCHORAGE, AK on 9/1/2024
Big sound in a small cabinet. The build is in itself unique. And, it allows McIntosh to offer this unit at a significant discount from a solid-state behemoth, such as their MC462. One weakness is the tubes themselves. They are the standard 12AX7 type (A). I attempted to contact McIntosh Labs about how I could purchase their genuine 12AX7A tubes for backup. The deal here is that you want to avoid even just the shipping costs to shipping to and from Binghampton, New York if the unit fails, and the tubes are the reason. The work would cost as well on top of that. The McIntosh tubes in the C8 are highlighted by their in-house green (beautiful) tubes. But, backups can be necessary. Although high -quality tubes of the type should work 1000-5000 hours, they are only warrantied 90 days. Next, the sound. When matched with my MC152 amp the sound comes out 'other-worldly'. All the fabled warmth of the tubes. Sublime, to stay the least. The C8 size is also a plus, in a way. It is convenient to store anywhere. And, it is architecturally a thing of beauty. Note the price versus the famed monster McIntosh units. Plus: 3-Year McIntosh Labs warranty! I do not believe in giving 5-star ratings, especially at this time. Let's see how the beast performs!
Pros: Incredible sound with compatible equipment. A beauty as well by looks.
Cons: As with all tube amplifiers - TUBES!
12 of 26 found this helpful
McIntosh C8
luis from EDGEWATER, NJ on 7/10/2024
Poor built quality like other made in USA products.
Pros:
Cons:
2 of 96 found this helpful
Plays well with others.mostly
Timothy from Honolulu, HI on 5/2/2024
The C8 is my first high-end audio purchase, replacing a Peachtree Nova 150 integrated amp and an Emotiva XPA-5 running two channels as a stereo amp. I now have it paired with Monoblock McIntosh MC-301 amps. My speakers are Paradigm Prestige 95f. The C8 showed up before the amps, so I first had it hooked up to the Emo. It cleaned up the sound a lot vs the Peachtree.vocals were clearer, more detail with instruments, etc. The bass took a step back and there wasn't much oomph. I think it provided a clearer picture of my sources and amp. When I paired up the Mac amps, it was like magic. Everything came alive, the bass is full and rich, the highs aren't shrill, and music comes across as effortless. I felt like I got new speakers for free, they never sounded anywhere near this good prior to this setup. In function, the C8 is so simple and intuitive. Turn the knob, then turn the other one to crank up your favorite tunes. I like being able to name the sources, there's no call at work "how do I play a record?" I just listen to music from a Sonos port, Bluesound Node X, or a Technics 1200, so it's perfect and simple. In summary, the C8 is great, and it plays well with other quality equipment. It's not a one-box savior though. As long as you surround it with good clean power and speakers, it will sound just as great as it looks.
Pros: Appearance. Simplicity. Clean, revealing sound
Cons: Needs a good amp.maybe not totally a con
14 of 17 found this helpful
Bu far the nest deal in machintosh product line up
Ali from SARATOGA, CA on 1/4/2024
See pros below :-)
Pros: Super flexible especially when you add the DA2 (their flagship D/A module ~ $1000 found on their top of the line preamps) , has both MM and MC inputs for phono , has pass through capability to integrate into home theater. Plenty of other analog input/ outputs. Great sound period & Sexy as hell. This is probably Macintosh's best value by far component in their catalog. I have it hooked up for pass through for with my home theater processor and use it for all music preprocessing to L/R
Cons: Nothing!
29 of 32 found this helpful
