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Here we have a Beautiful condition, one owner, no pet Mcintosh C-11! The holy grail of preamps! We bought it from a long time customer of ours and were delighted with the condition, ! The owner gave us along with this gem, 4 new tubes which are now in the preamp along with 2 NOS. Telefunkens. This beauty has been completely serviced and all factory recommended upgrades were installed. Included in the restoration are all new (higher quality) electrolytic capacitors throughout. Ultrafast soft recovery rectification. New 1% Mil-spec Dale metal film and Xicon resistors in the power supply. The phono section's inferior sounding ceramic caps were upgraded with period correct polystyrene film and foil caps and ultra quiet Caddock metal film (non inductive) resistors ($$$$). All mylar tube caps were upgraded to Wima polypropylene `film caps . All the switches and potentiometers were cleaned and lubricated. All inferior mylar coupling capacitors were upgraded to period correct Orange drop Polypropylene film and foil caps. ( smoother while still maintaining the magical Mcintosh Lush sound). Lastly the owner had replaced the front panel lighting with LED units recently. There is a reason why these preamps are considered within the top 5 collectible audio components of all time, they sound great, they look great and when professionally serviced and upgraded as this one is, will last another 50 years or more and continue to beat the stock market as an investment. If you have been waiting for one of these in very nice shape both cosmetically and functionally, this is the one. Discounts for both Cash, Zelle, Paypal F and F transactions and local pick-up. Add 4% for PayPal. Thank You
At US$4,695, this asking price sits above the typical used market range of US$1,500 to US$3,500 for a fully restored McIntosh C11, making it an ambitious rather than fair offer. While a collector-grade unit recently sold for US$3,490, the current listing exceeds that median by roughly 35%, placing it near the 75th percentile of recent transactions. Without evidence of original-owner condition or rare accessories, this price is hard to justify against the ground truth of US$1,500–US$3,500 deals.
The McIntosh C11 remains a well-regarded vintage all-tube preamp praised for its warm, musical sound and dual-channel redundancy, delivering classic McIntosh legacy tone. Its value lies in the fully restored circuit with vintage Telefunken tubes and beautiful walnut burl veneer, offering genuine sonic upside for analog enthusiasts. However, given the ambitious price, buyers should verify tube specifications and include original documentation or accessories to match the asking level. At US$4,695, this is a cautious buy opportunity only if the condition is truly exceptional.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
McIntosh Laboratory, founded in 1949 in the United States by Frank H. McIntosh and Gordon Gow, embodies a storied heritage of American audio innovation. Originally based in Silver Spring, Maryland, before relocating to Binghamton, New York, where products are still handcrafted today, the brand emerged from a commitment to superior sound reproduction. From powering President Lyndon Johnson's inauguration to the Grateful Dead's Wall of Sound at Woodstock, McIntosh has shaped pivotal moments in music history and pop culture, earning its place as a cultural icon.
The company specializes in a comprehensive lineup of high-fidelity components, including renowned amplifiers—particularly its revered tube models for their warm, enveloping sound—along with solid-state power amps, stereo tuners, loudspeakers, turntables, music streamers, processors, and digital-to-analog converters. This breadth supports both two-channel stereo systems and multi-channel home theaters, delivering immersive experiences in music and film. Iconic blue watt meters on their gear have become globally recognized symbols of precision and power.
Positioned firmly in the high-end market, McIntosh commands respect among discerning audiophiles for its uncompromising quality, luxurious build, and timeless design. Far from mid-tier or niche boutique, it stands as a premium benchmark, favored by legendary musicians and producers across decades, blending vintage allure with modern performance for those who demand the ultimate in sonic fidelity.
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