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2255 and C31

backinthelou

backinthelou

Well-Known Member
2255 and C33

Hey guys, something has been bugging me for about a month now, so I figured I'd share an experience I had. I went to buy a MC 2255 and C33 (about a month ago). It looked mint and sounded lovely, but with the volume knob adjusted high enough that the needles bouncing off of 250 watts, we were able to carry on a conversation. The protection lights were also flickering. The amp was hooked up to a large pair of Lenteks. I really wanted the amp and pre, but that of course was more than I was willing to get into for a couple G's. He said it was normal and that's "just how Mac's are". I'm a Sansui guy and was prepared to let go of some of my prized receivers to be able to justify the Macs. I can run some of my low power stuff and for loudness it would blow you out of the room. The Mac definitely sounded sweet, but something just wasn't right. Anyone have any thoughts?
 
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The loudest I've ever had my MC7270 was when the needles were bouncing off 27 watts. This was extremely loud! If you stood outside the house it sounded like you were standing outside a nightclub. You could feel the vibrations and the drains were rattling.
 
if its receivers you are getting rid of, get that amp and pre and don't look back. Lenteks? sound like man in the van speakerrs to me because that is *not* how Mac's are".... no receiver ever made will hold a candle to either of those pieces, unless they have been really dogged. I have an MC 2500 and I cannot even BEGIN to crank that all the way up, I actually think my eardrums would melt. a 2255 is all most people need. I just happen to have a VERY power hungry set of speakers, for 80% of the population a 255 should be more than enough with even slightly efficient speakers.
 
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How sensitive are the Len Tek speakers? I understand that they use the same drivers as Kef. I have a pair of Infinity QLS1 speakers which are powered by a pair of MC2200 amps bridged to mono for 400 (more like 500!) watts. Those QLS are so power hungry that I hit the red lights occasionally.
 
I really wanted them, but they are long gone now. I was afraid of how expensive it would be to repair. Something definitely wasn't right, but he was pulling some used car salesman stuff. His house is full of high end gear-Mac tube amps, and other stuff. I'm just going to guess there is a reason he was parting with them. He said he needed the money FAST. $2000 with the wooden cabinets. Everything looked to be in very nice condition. Come to think of it, one of the cabs had a big stain that looked like a bottle of syrup spilled onto it....maybe into the amp......I don't recall which cabinet had the sticky mess on it, so I can't be sure. Would have been nice powering my Polk SDA SRS speakers.
 
I'm not sure an MC2255 is the right amp for the BIG SDA SRS speakers anyhow . . . at least not for party approved levels.

That was a great price on the set . . .
 
damacman said:
I'm not sure an MC2255 is the right amp for the BIG SDA SRS speakers anyhow . . . at least not for party approved levels.

That was a great price on the set . . .
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That does make me feel better. haha
I don't usually listen at high levels anyway.
 
As Damacman mentioned, inefficient a/k/a low sensitivity speakers was the first thing that came to mind also.

If the units are really that nice, $2K is a very good price for that combo - the preamplifier is a C 33, right? (C 31 is indicated in thread title)

As to "...all McIntosh amplifiers do that..." - yes - when they're being overdriven and/or abused. :rolleyes:

The total description of the circumstances, the seller's presentation, and so forth....well...frankly...are not exactly confidence-inspiring. Especially the potentially- spilled-maple-syrup-in-amplifier part.

Yes the price is cheap - on the surface - but I strongly suspect this is not going to be the end when the pieces need another $1K+ in repairs/servicing.

I also suspect that the demonstration was staged in a manner so that defects would not be readily apparent, the fast talk, the desperate attempt to close the deal quickly, the BS story about "needing money".

To be blunt, the guy does not sound like someone with whom I would feel comfortable conducting business, at all. :no:
 
I agree on all points. I fat fingered the title and description. :( C33 and 2255.
62caddy said:
As Damacman mentioned, inefficient a/k/a low sensitivity speakers was the first thing that came to mind also.

If the units are really that nice, $2K is a very good price for that combo - the preamplifier is a C 33, right? (C 31 is indicated in thread title)

As to "...all McIntosh amplifiers do that..." - yes - when they're being overdriven and/or abused. :rolleyes:

The total description of the circumstances, the seller's presentation, and so forth....well...frankly...are not exactly confidence-inspiring. Especially the potentially- spilled-maple-syrup-in-amplifier part.

Yes the price is cheap - on the surface - but I strongly suspect this is not going to be the end when the pieces need another $1K+ in repairs/servicing.

I also suspect that the demonstration was staged in a manner so that defects would not be readily apparent, the fast talk, the desperate attempt to close the deal quickly, the BS story about "needing money".

To be blunt, the guy does not sound like someone with whom I would feel comfortable conducting business, at all. :no:
Click to expand...
 
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