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mcintosh IV oy V

g6120

g6120

Member
hello folks

im currently looking to purchase a modern mcintosh 275 tube amp and i wondering which of the two examples to get .

i understand the mc IV has the volume controls and the newest version the mc V does not and i guess this example has different binding posts as well .

any thoughts as to what version i should be looking for

thought i would put this question on the platform and welcome your thoughts

thank you .. g6120
 
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My understanding is these two are basically the same amp, with the two differences you mention, so I would say the answer is in the rest of your system:
- do you need volume controls? Note the controls on the IV are two knobs, one for each channel, so it's not too handy if you are thinking of avoiding a preamp. They are meant for gain adjustment between pre and amp, and they work well for me.

- do you have expensive speaker cables which you would hate reterminating to fit the IV? I don't. My system is currently on growth mode and it will be a fair amount of time before it makes sense to spend a fortune on speaker wire. For the time being I'm using stock, heavy gauge, 4-conductor, power type cable and the terminals in the IV are large enough to allow for these. It might become an issue if I decide to buy good, USED, cable down the road. For new cable you can generally request something that fits the IV.

What's the price difference? In my case I paid $1500 less for a IV.

I love this amp. BTW!

Enjoy the chase.

Horacio
 
i have a good size record collection of wax from the 50s and 60s and which ive been contemplating about selling for some time now so if thats the case i most likely will play my cd collection - cd player into amp which would make me think the IV would be my best avenue since it has volume controls .

my speakers are jbls studio monitors from the mid 1970s think they are 200s but not certian 96db


one other thought is how are the new gold lion kt88 tubes that are on the market today and im wondering how do the stand up to what mac puts in thier 275 amps currently producing today .


welcome your thoughts
g6120
 
I have owned several different McIntosh tube amplifiers through the years, and presently own the MC300, the MC275 MkV, and a 4300V.

Although the MC275 Mk IV and MC275 MkV are both very fine amplifiers, in my opinion the MC275 MkV is a superior product. Unless you have a specific reason to need amp gain controls, there is no need to have the additional hardware in the audio circuits. It is just one more place for future audio signal degradation, and/or maintenance. The gain controls were not designed to be used as preamp volume control replacements, so I suspect they will not stand the test of time being used in that manner. If you choose to run a CD directly into the MC275, find a CD player that provides volume control of the analog output, preferably with remote control. Another point, the gain controls only effect the unbalanced inputs on the MC275 Mk VI, so if you use balanced input cables the gain controls are useless.

The other issue that makes the Mk V better is the gold plated speaker binding posts. Having used the terminal strips on several other McIntosh amps, the binding posts on the Mk V amp are far superior. They allow large guage wire to be inserted directly without the need for terminal adapters, and can be tightened by hand, no tools required. The new binding posts also accommodate banana plugs, should you choose this method of quick release termination.

As far as output tubes are concerned, it is a matter of personal preference. The McIntosh KT88 branded tubes are fine tubes, but my preference is for the Genalex Gold Lion KT88 reissue power tubes, and Philips JAN tubes in the 12AX7 and 12AT7 sockets. In my humble opinion, the MC275 MkV with this tube compliment, sounds as good as the best amps I have listened to from any manufacturer.

In the end, sound is very much like art. It is highly subjective. What is beauty to one, might be ugly to another. Please yourself. Everything else just makes for good conversation.
 
I've had the mkiv for a couple years now and have no regrets buying it used for $2500 locally with no shipping and no taxes.

For the reasons already mentioned, the mkv is the way to go unless you can save some coin to buy the mkiv.

I would not trade my mkiv for a mkv unless it was a even trade. I'm using balanced cables so the gain control knobs are not a issue for me. I running unterminated 10 ga solid core copper romex to it for the speakers and hooking it up to the amp was not a issue.

I'm running all telefunkens in it except the kt88's. I was able to use 2 gold lion reissues in the left 2 sockets but without 2 vintage genalex gold lions in the right 2 sockets, I was not able to get the smooth, light, airy, delicate sound that the nos gold lions are known for.
 
New Sensor has reverse-engineered the Genalex Gold Lion KT88 reissue power tubes to produce what is said to be the best Genalex KT88 reissue to date. Try a matched quad set of them in your MC275. They are amazingly clean, quiet and powerful, with excellent musical detail. Besides the stock McIntosh tubes, I have tried the JJ/Tesla KT88 tubes, and the Gold Lion tubes, which I am using now. To me, the Gold Lions provide the perfect sound stage and air I was seeking.

You might try swapping the 12AT7 tubes with another brand besides Telefunken. I did not hear any real difference when I plugged in Telefunken tubes into the 12AX7 sockets, but when I swapped the 12AT7 tubes from factory tubes to Philips or Mullard tubes I heard definate differences in tonal quality and midrange presence. I've settled on the Philips tubes in both 12AX7 and 12AT7 sockets for now. My amp sings.

I agree with you regarding the Mk IV and the Mk V amps. Both are spectacular performers.
 
hello folks

well i just landed a mcintosh V and i have on the way four matched genalex gold lion kt88s that were ordered last week . i have 12at7s and 12ax7s new old stock tungsol and amperex so i will most likely put those pre-amp tubes in that amp as well .

if im correct the mc 275 amp is self biasing so i wont have to do anything put change the tubes .

wonder has anyone compared the new version 275 vs the older 50s or 60s examples curious if there is a noticable sonicly difference .

thanks for all the input its appreciated

g6120
 
g6120 said:
if im correct the mc 275 amp is self biasing so i wont have to do anything put change the tubes.
Click to expand...
Welcome g6120 :) and congrats on your new MC275.

You are close but not exactly correct. The MC275 is fixed bias, not self biasing. And yes, you are correct that you won't have to do anything but change the tubes.
 
Congratulations on the MC275 MkV purchase. You will be very pleased with its performance. Your JBLs, with their sensitivity, will move like never before.

You will like the Gold Lion output tubes. If I may make a suggestion, try leaving the stock McIntosh 12AX7 inverter tubes and 12AT7 driver tubes in for a week or so after the Gold Lions are installed. Then when you install the Tungsols and Amperex tubes you will have a strong reference point to compare with. Try swapping only the 12AX7 tubes first, then do some extended listening for a day or two. Then swap the 12AT7s and listen some more. The differences you hear will either please your ear, or not. By giving each change you make some time for comparative listening before making any other changes you will more easily be able to determine what creates positive results. There is no right or wrong, only that you are pleased with what you hear. Have fun!

Since you made a wise decision (IMO) with the Mk V purchase not to use the gain controls that are on the Mk IV as volume controls, what preamplifier will you use?
 
thanks for warm welcome here folks

currently i dont have a pre-amp so i will use my cd player which has a volume control and at some point will look for the pre-amp that suits me .

my collection of lps and 45s from the 50s and 60s most likely i will sell on ebay but will still have some wax to play after most is sold .

i have a thorens td 125 record player so im going have to get a pre-amp down the road .

yes sounds like a good plan test drive the 275 and place the new tubes in at different intervals to get a better idea how the sound shapes .


appreciate the advice
g6120
 
my collection of lps and 45s from the 50s and 60s most likely i will sell on ebay but will still have some wax to play after most is sold .
Click to expand...

Vinyl is making a come back. If you are new to the Mc tube world, you may want to hear the vinyl again some day. The records don't eat anything, and, if they are not in way, you might be glad later you kept them.
 
i had two matched mono block mcintosh 75 amps that were just about perfect - no scratches , tarnish , no blemishes -

same serial # with a after one and b after the second i was told they were made for someone who had a high ranking job at mc .

sold them put some $ in the bank and know im replacing it with a mc 275 - no regrets had the mc 75s for years and recieved more than i could have asked for - before i had a chance to mention what i wanted for them i was floored by the offer .

g6120
 
Have you received the MC275 yet? Coming from Raleigh, NC if my crystal ball is correct. There are so many advanced features incorporated into the MC275 Mk V that the old mono amps don't have. Besides being quieter, the driver voltages are a bit higher, so the amp produces more power that its rated 75wpc, more like 90 wpc. Tube sockets are now ceramic with gold plated pins (no more corrosion as the years roll by), and the output tube sockets are chimmney style allowing air to be drawn up around the tubes from below the amp for cooler operation. The tolerences of the components are tighter, and the stainless steel chassis will look good forever. The speaker binding posts are a major improvement, and your old MC75's only had unbalanced inputs. The balalced inputs on the new MC275 are very quiet.

Of course you already know all of this, no doubt. It is a great amp. I love mine.
 
im a guitar player who been collecting vintage tube amps from the 50s & 60s since the mid 1970s .

without question the 1950s fender tweed amps from that era are very collectable and most sought after by vintage collectors . the newer reissue amps which are tube with vintage specs are great amps but still dont sound as good as the originals at least thats my opinion .

im very curious if there are any comparisons tests between the old mc 275 vs the new mc 275 that have been documented .

g6120
 
Funny....vintage-tube. Actually, we discussed the amp in PM. When I saw "sale pending" on your second amp I had a hunch. Sweet amps never stay idle for long.

Now you're amp-less. What a bummer! When do the MC2301 amps show up?
 
well recieved my MC 275 and it was exactly as discribed looks like new and the seller went out of his way and went the extra mile to please me and i believe it was (vintage tube) bob who is a member here .

played a couple of cds with the stock MC tubes - then i replaced the power tubes with four new matched gold lion tubes .

it did not take a split second for me to be able to hear the difference in the quality of sound and for the life of me i just cant understand why mcintosh just does not put better quality tubes in thier products .

ive had original gold lion tubes and tung-sol from the 60s and ive got to be honest these gold lion power tubes are great and anyone thinking about getting the gold lion dont hesitate you wont be sorry .

friday i plan on changing the pre-amp tubes with new old stock tung-sol and im sure i will have a good report .

g6120
 
I just replaced my power tubes with Genalex Gold Lion KT88's, I noticed that there was an immediate difference, although I couldn't quite put my finger on it from the onset. After an hour or so, I figured it out. Very musical KT88, male and female voices have more realism and depth, you can feel bass at low listening levels, the sound stage was extended out to about 6', the highs are crisp and take forever to tail off and the the music is delivered with a very laid back presence as if time had slowed down, very easy to listen to. I can't wait until the tubes are really broken in.

I LOVE this amp, they make my JBL 4425's SING! I find myself in total amazement of what I am hearing, I can't tell you how many "eargasms" I have had in the past week! I have to force myself to go to bed most nights.

I have a set of NOS Mullard 12AT7s and reissue Tung Sol 12AX7's on the way. I have heard many speak of the NOS Telefunkens here on AK and how good they are, they do come with a price tag. I REALLY want to find out for myself and wonder is it really worth it? I suppose if you subjectively reach musical nirvana then it is worth the spend. The closer you think you get to it, the more you have to spend to get that much closer.

MarSanz
 
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Fever returning...

I think I'd better stay away from this thread...for some time I've dreamed of having a 275 amp in my collection, and hanging around this thread is making it worse!

Pete
 
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