The C-8 was a quality control centre (preamplifier) with a very flexible record compensation and equalisation section. This was essential in the pre-stereo days when recording companies all had their own equalisation standards.

Perhaps the C-8 should have been named 'Pentagon', it had five of everything: five-position bass rumble filter; five-position aural compensator; the record compensator featured five bass turnover points (950, 750, 580, 400, 280) and five treble roll-off points (5, 10, 15, 20, 25). By coincidence, the C-8 also had five separate inputs for crystal pickup, FM-AM tuner, low-level mike and high and low level magnetic cartridges.

Two outputs were available on the rear panel, a 0.5V cathode follower for tape recording and 2.5V main amplifier output. Also on the rear panel were separate adjustable level controls for the tuner and crystal pickup inputs.

The C-8 required power from a McIntosh power amplifier such as the MC-30 or an external, optional power supply (D 8 or D 8A). The Model C-8P had its own internal supply and was self-sufficient, therefore it was able to be used with other power amplifiers.

Prices when new were as follows:
Model C-8: 88.50, C 8B (blond cabinet $98.50) C 8M (mahogany cabinet $98.50)
Model C-8P: $108.45. C-8PB (blond cabinet $118.45). C-8PM (mahogany cabinet $118.45)

Good, clean and functional examples of the C-8 today fetch around the $300, the C-8P around $400.

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