• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Best solid state Mc Intosh amplifier

Dampening factor doesn't mean much much sound wise. The speaker wires impedance will negate this value. Many amps with large DF values do not seem to have a bass that breaths with the music. They can be sterile. There is so much more to the sound of an amp. The solid state Mc amps are popular with maggies but they sound best with the tube amps MC275, 2102, two MC275 in mono, in my opinion. Ditto for Quads.

Ron-C
 
Rich and Ron, Thanks for the info. One thing to consider is that I'm going to be using Apogee ribbon speakers. With these the damping is a consideration. However, it need not be as high as, say, krell. The newer mac amps at about 100 seems to be right. I have read that the higher damping does kill the bottom end on these speakers. Also the THD is a big factor as you say, Ap's tend to run in the .1 % area as far as distortion, most cone/dome speakers in the 10-25% range, though with the newer drivers out there, they are getting quite a bit lower.
 
Last edited:
My Mc is not the best SS but rather the bottom of their line (1967) It's run for more than 37 years without a problem driving Bozak 302As. It's just started overheating and shutting down. The high end store technician claimed it was just dirt and cleaned it up. But a few weeks later it again began to heat up (above the rear left cage). If anybody's had any experience with this kind of thing, as a layman I'd appreciate knowing what kinds of variables may be involved. Meantime, I've compaared it with new middle range amps and found it "blew them away" as young enthusiasts like to say today. It still sounds very much like a tube amp--warm, fast, great breadth and depth of sound stage. But it's at the bottom of the stratification for this group of BMW, Lexus, Patek-Philipe folks. (I just hate to get rid of it after 37 years of great service).
Ben
 
JérômeB said:
With which others models did you compare your MC2205?

JérômeB
Click to expand...

JérômeB,

In addition to Audio Research D76a's, Levinson ML-1's, Ampzilla's, GAS Son of Ampzilla's, Mitsubishi DA-15's, Crown DC-300a's, H/K Citation 12's, H/K Citation 16's, Marantz 250's, and Marantz 510M's, I listened to McIntosh MC2105's, MC2255s and MC72770's. From a design and manufacturing perspective, the MC2105 is the oldest, followed by the MC2205, followed by the MC2155, followed by the MC7270. I have B&W DM3000 speakers as my stereo speakers (I've never liked the metal tweeters of the 800 and Nautilus series, haven't heard the new diamond tweeter yet) and Polk RT-2000p's for my H/T system. To my ears, in both systems, the MC2205s sounded best of all the McIntosh amps I listened to, so I bought two of them! YMMV, of course.

McIntosh lovers seem to have their favourite vintage SS McIntosh amps - Some prefer the MC2105, some prefer the MC2205, others like the MC2255, and so on. IMHO, there are no bad sounding SS McIntosh amps. And I only heard very subtle differences between these 4 McIntosh amps. I just happened to prefer the MC2205s. :cool:
 
Ben Singer said:
My Mc is not the best SS but rather the bottom of their line (1967) It's run for more than 37 years without a problem driving Bozak 302As. It's just started overheating and shutting down. The high end store technician claimed it was just dirt and cleaned it up. But a few weeks later it again began to heat up (above the rear left cage). If anybody's had any experience with this kind of thing, as a layman I'd appreciate knowing what kinds of variables may be involved. Meantime, I've compaared it with new middle range amps and found it "blew them away" as young enthusiasts like to say today. It still sounds very much like a tube amp--warm, fast, great breadth and depth of sound stage. But it's at the bottom of the stratification for this group of BMW, Lexus, Patek-Philipe folks. (I just hate to get rid of it after 37 years of great service).
Ben
Click to expand...

I'm not a tech, so I can't help you there. However, if you like the sound in your system, why change it? There is a pride of ownership of a classic piece that only needs an occasional tweak or touch-up. I'm guessing there should be a McIntosh-endorsed repair person in Toronto. You can call McIntosh in Binghamton, NY and ask. If not, Binghamton's no more than an 8 hour drive from London, so you could always drive it to them, take a tour of the factory, and have them either ship it back to you or you could drive back and pick it up. I've had 4 pieces rebuilt by McIntosh service and they came back looking and performing like brand new units. I trust them to do a superb job on anything they touch! :cool:
 
Ron, I've since discovered Terry Wickt. McIntosh itself no longer supports the 5100, and despite the fact that there might be Mac dealers with some service capability in Toronto, I have more faith in Terry in Tennessee who himself has a reputation for craftsmanship and devotion to Macs. Thanks for the suggestion.
Ben
 
Ben,
I've been into Mc's for years, although I was without any over 10 yrs., but now back into them again, and you can't go wrong with Terry DeWick's workmanship! I've sent two pieces to him in the last couple of months ( MR 74 & MC 2105 ) with a MA 6100 going up soon too; his workmanship comes from a very long professional knowledge and also a love of McIntosh equipment IMHO ( which really isn't that humble!). His work is reasonable in price, and you can be sure that you'll get the best possible work outside of the factory. ( I suppose?) It's so nice to deal with a true craftsman in this day and age, and I enjoy getting back each piece from him just to see and hear the improvments he's made. I guess you can say I'm a very satisfied client of his.
 
Vinyl Rules! said:
JérômeB,

In addition to Audio Research D76a's, Levinson ML-1's, Ampzilla's, GAS Son of Ampzilla's, Mitsubishi DA-15's, Crown DC-300a's, H/K Citation 12's, H/K Citation 16's, Marantz 250's, and Marantz 510M's, I listened to McIntosh MC2105's, MC2255s and MC72770's. From a design and manufacturing perspective, the MC2105 is the oldest, followed by the MC2205, followed by the MC2155, followed by the MC7270. I have B&W DM3000 speakers as my stereo speakers (I've never liked the metal tweeters of the 800 and Nautilus series, haven't heard the new diamond tweeter yet) and Polk RT-2000p's for my H/T system. To my ears, in both systems, the MC2205s sounded best of all the McIntosh amps I listened to, so I bought two of them! YMMV, of course.

McIntosh lovers seem to have their favourite vintage SS McIntosh amps - Some prefer the MC2105, some prefer the MC2205, others like the MC2255, and so on. IMHO, there are no bad sounding SS McIntosh amps. And I only heard very subtle differences between these 4 McIntosh amps. I just happened to prefer the MC2205s. :cool:
Click to expand...

Esthetically speaking, I prefer the 2105's look.
But, as I'm very sensible to voices, pianos and cellos reproduction, I wonder which could be, according to you, the most appropriate amp you tested?

2105-2.bmp


2105-3.bmp


2105-4.bmp


2105-6.bmp



JérômeB
 
Last edited:
JérômeB said:
Esthetically speaking, I prefer the 2105's look.
But, as I'm very sensible to voices, pianos and cellos reproduction, I wonder which could be, according to you, the most appropriate amp you tested?




JérômeB
Click to expand...

Jérôme,

In my system, on my speakers, I prefered the McIntosh MC2205, but I could have lived with any of the SS McIntosh amps I listened to. It is kind of like tasting 4 superb French champagnes and then attempting to debate which one is the best. One might be better with sweet cheese, another better with a less-sweet cheese, and another may taste better with fruit.

The best thing you can do, if possible, is try to listen to several different amps in your own system and decide for your self.

However, if you like the look of the MC2105 best, simply pick that amp - It is a very good amplifier. :cool:
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I have not heard the MC1201 so I will pick the MC501s. :)
Not only are the MC501s the best SS McIntosh amps I have ever heard they are the best amps I have heard period. The MC252 also sounded very good to me. The bargain price answer goes to the first gen MC2105, MC2100, MC2505, MC250 and MC50s.

Victor
 
Mc 501 is my strong candidate for the best SS McIntosh sound. I have listened to some better SS amps but not in Mc501s price range...

Mc 402 would be my best buy from McInosh by means of sound quality/price.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom