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2105 or 2505?

theprofessor

theprofessor

Well-Known Member
I'm in the process of recapping my AR-3s and I feel like there is no better time to get a McIntosh power amp. The room where I would be listening is not very large, maybe 12x16 feet. I feel like the 2505's power would be better suited to the room, but I am worried that once I move into a larger place that I will want a 2105.

Would it be wise to buy a 2105 now and wait until I move into a larger place, or would I be better off getting the 2505 and retiring it to second system status later?

As always, thanks in advance.
 
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Good question. I would purchase the bigger amp since there is no such thing as too much power. Plus are you 100% sure you will use the MC2505 is another system down the road. There is not a huge price gap between the two so invest in the MC2105 now and that way you are set....then down the road...who knows...you may want more power!!:scratch2:
 
I have both and like both. Please be warned that the MC2105 is considerably larger and heavier than the MC2505. One really doesn't want to move an MC2105 around very much. There seem to be many for sale at the moment around the web. As a result some of the prices for the MC2105 are actually cheaper than an MC2505. :dunno:

12x16 rooms are about what I have throughout our house and well suited for 50-100 WPC. I barely use more than 25% on the gain (at the amp) and 50% at the volume control of a preamp/tuner (MX). I think that either will do, but what Ryan says is quite true.

I think that the MC2505 is a very elegant piece of audio history, but the MC2105 has those big heat-sinks and big output "cans"--very impressive!

An audio path upgrade at Audioclassics or Terry DeWick's is advisable (and money well spent--recapping the power supply and amp boards, etc.) if you plan on keeping either of these amps for the ages--a tune & check-up for another 40 years of reliable service!

TURN IT UP!! Enjoy :music:
 
theprofessor said:
I'm in the process of recapping my AR-3s and I feel like there is no better time to get a McIntosh power amp.
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AR-3 series are some of the most power hungry speakers that I know of, definitely go with the most powerful amp that your that your budget allows.

Vahe
 
vahe said:
AR-3 series are some of the most power hungry speakers that I know of, definitely go with the most powerful amp that your that your budget allows.

Vahe
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:yes:
No doubt about it as with any acoustic suspension (sealed box) speaker.

Not to say you could not "make do" with a MC2505, but you would be missing out on a lot.


Carl
 
As a long time AR nut, I agree -- those AR3a's will suck up every watt you can give it, and they sound good enough you'll want to keep them.
I've been surprised how well they compare to my LS360's....
If you could swing it, the next generation of Mc Amps (MC2125, etc) has Power Guard, which will protect your speakers.
 
Well, that was reassuring. I did think the 2105 had power guard. I'll have to be careful with my a25s.
 
Either will be great if you keep your speaker lines short and use #12 awg wire. I drove 4 to 6 all the time using a 3500 and 4 AR3a with q 2205 with never an issue. But be careful as there is no Power Guard on the 2505 or 2105 and with modern recordings with all the HF content you really don't want to push things. So never above a 0 indiction on the meters of a 2105 or 2505 indicated, which is half power. Remember a 2505 can put out over 70 watts all day with out clipping and a 2105 135 watts. Thats a lot for a speaker that is rated at 35 watts RMS.
 
Nooboy, I own a rebuilt MC2105 and rebuilt Dynaco A25's. A perfect match in our living room vintage setup. Highly recommended.
The original question was asked in 2008 I'm sure the AR owner has moved on.
 
The price difference between 2505 and 2105 is not that great, yet the power is double! Better price per watt with mc2105.

if you want smaller footprint size similar to mc2505 then look at mc2125 or mc2155.

those give you power guard as well. Best of both worlds. Newer tech, smaller footprint and more power than both 2505 & 2105.
 
MC2105 is taller than MC2505, 2125/2155 but "footprint" is otherwise near identical.

Haven't seen an MC2125/2155 sold on the auction site in some time but three 2125s are currently listed - at exorbitant asking prices.
 
Mossback said:
Nooboy, I own a rebuilt MC2105 and rebuilt Dynaco A25's. A perfect match in our living room vintage setup. Highly recommended.
The original question was asked in 2008 I'm sure the AR owner has moved on.
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But there you are, and thank you for that.
 
nolasally said:
The price difference between 2505 and 2105 is not that great, yet the power is double! Better price per watt with mc2105.

if you want smaller footprint size similar to mc2505 then look at mc2125 or mc2155.

those give you power guard as well. Best of both worlds. Newer tech, smaller footprint and more power than both 2505 & 2105.
Click to expand...
I like big footprints.
 
Power shouldn't be an issue. As I understand 2105 ( or a 2100, same without meters) generally would do 170wrms if healthy)
I'd expect at least half that with the 250 amps.
That series amps tends to have a warmer presentation than the more modern Mac amps. I'm not saying that's a good or a bad thing. Just making an observation.

Didn't realize this thread started in 2008
My comments FWIW are clearly useless now.
 
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