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This MCP-1 was completely recapped and serviced. It is in near perfect condition. Happy to share more photos upon request! Here is some info.The MCP-1 moving coil preamplifier was designed to complement the new McIntosh moving coil cartridges, MCC 800 and MCC 1000. By designing an outboard solid state preamp, also referred to as a Head Amp, it enables owners of earlier McIntosh equipment to use these cartridges with their existing system without purchasing a whole new preamp. It also provides a superior preamp that will work with any other moving coil cartridge.The moving coil cartridge typically puts out 0.3 millivolts compared to 3.0 millivolts for a moving magnet type. One solution to increase this low voltage is to use a transformer. However, a transformer that operates at extremely low voltage levels has several problems. The ease with which the magnetic core concentrates lines of magnetic force vary with the voltage level. This variation adds distortion to the music signal at low frequencies. In addition, transformers are very susceptible to hum pickup and must be positioned away from power transformers in nearby equipment or other sources of stray alternating current fields.One solution for a solid state preamp would be to make it battery operated and avoid the problems of hum fields from a power transformer. However, battery failure is a problem that McIntosh customers should not have to endure. The McIntosh MCP-1 has a unique power supply that has no transformer and the power supply operates at a frequency of 200 kHz, which is way beyond the audio range. A separate power supply is used for each channel. The unique solid state design also keeps the hum and noise levels at an unusually low levelInputs are provided for several different moving coil cartridge impedances: 10, 20, 40 and 90 ohms. A binding post ground terminal is also provided as well as output connections. The post and connections are all gold plated. A red led light glows when the power is on. The MCP-1 has no power switch and can be plugged into a switched outlet on a preamplifier. The MCP-1 does not provide RIAA equalization and could really be called a pre-preamplifier or a head amplifier. It is connected between the turntable and the magnetic phono input of a preamplifierThe top and sides of the preamp are covered with rosewood. I learned that these high quality rosewood pieces were specially selected by an agent in Paris, France for McIntosh.The pieces are 1/4” thick and are rather dark. They are highly polished. Each piece is different, of course.nput Impedance: 10, 20, 40, and 90 ohms.Gain: 10 ohms—31 dB, 20 ohms—26 dB, 40 ohms—20 dB, 90 ohms—13 dBFrequency Response: +0, -0.5 dB, 20 Hz to 70 kHzTotal Harmonic Distortion: less than 0.01%Signal to Noise Ratio: 83 dBA (re: 500uV input at 1 kHz, 10 ohm input, with RIAA equalization) (equivalent to -149 dBV at input at 1 kHz).Phase Shift: Non-invertingChannel Separation: More than 90 dB, 20 kHz to 20 kHzSemiconductor Complement: 22 bipolar transistors, 2 integrated circuits, 11 diodesPower Requirements: 85-135V, 50/60 Hz, 2 wattsSize: 7” wide (17.8 cm) by 3-3/16” high (8.1 cm) by 5” deep (12.7 cm)Finish: Cabinet is rosewood finish on solid Macassar ebony. Front panel is black with gold lettering. Chassis is black.Weight: 3 pounds (1.4 kg) net, 5.5 pounds (2.5 kg) in shipping carton.Sold from: 1983-1987
The pristine, fully serviced condition helps here: at US$1,745, this lands well below your database median of US$2,700 and even under the US$1,269–US$4,600 interquartile band? No—it's actually between the 25th percentile and median, so it reads as a solid value rather than a steal. For a vintage McIntosh phono stage, that is still a very buyer-friendly number if the service was done properly.
That makes it a worthwhile play for someone who wants a classic, high-end moving-coil phono preamp without paying top-of-market money. McIntosh gear from this era has a strong reputation for build quality, longevity, and a smooth, authoritative presentation; the service history matters because age-sensitive parts are the usual concern on older phono units. If the work is documented and the unit is complete, this looks like a sensible buy with real upside for a vinyl-focused system.
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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