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If you could have any McIntosh amp, which one would it be.

Cost of entry off the table, I'd take four MC2KW's and four MC600's. Just spitballin'. But moving them into place would be extremely problematic. My main system is on the second story. As Frank Zappa once ad-libbed in a cover performance of Johnny Cash's "Ring Of Fire": "Ow, Ow, Ow..."
 
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After hearing the new 3500's for nostalgia I would prefer new 3500 MK 1's instead. The new 3500 is a great piece so I am not knocking it. Its just I have so many memories using the original 3500's for live PA jobs and installing them driving Concert Grands. Another early favorite was the MC 7200. But I'll stick with my MC 830's for the stereo system. Where would I put 14 of them for my bi and tri amped HT system? So I'll stick with my two MC 207's. Then there was my first Mac amps, MC 60's. What about them? Maybe I would like a MC 451? You know a 901 one with reduced power by 50%. Nah!. The 3500 Mk I's with all their issues. Whats the old saying? Love the one you Know!
 
Fun! But this kinda is one of those horse-before-the-cart queries. Of course I can play along. Obviously, we can all lust after this or that Mac amp (SS or tube or hybrid; new or vintage; blue meters/glowing valves; both). And we can fantasize about just how, exactly, a particular Mac amplifier would improve our systems: lift veils; make us nicer, smarter, more empathetic people; actually change our lives for the better—and also the lives of our friends and family. Having auditioned or used a number of Mac amps/preamps over the years, I know that they have different sonic characteristics; and that some are better suited to a certain pair of speakers than others. For me, I have an MC275 VI and C22 III running my Klipschorns. I really wanted beautiful blue meters—had my heart set on them; but when I auditioned many Mac amps with my speakers, the newer 275 won by not a small margin over a number of vintage and current Mac amps in their price range. So did the C22III (with more zip and dynamics than other Mac preamplifiers in the same price range). I miss not having the blue eyes and the tighter, deeper bass whack of SS, but had to choose the more natural and nuanced bass (and beautifully full and rounded mid-bass) of the 275’s valves, not to mention that lovely tube midrange. All I’m saying is that I went in with one Mac amp in mind; eventually came home with another. Maybe time to biamp…? Interestingly, when I bought the 275, at Audio Classics, I asked the owner, Steve (a big fan of McIntosh who at one time had a room built specifically for his own Klipschorns), which amp was the best he ever heard on Klipschorns. He said Cary Audio Design 805s.
 
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He also says they don't measure well either at full power, but at less than 1 watt thats what he likes. Kind of reminds me of all the Mac owners wanting to keep their older MC 30's, 40's, MC 60's, MC 75's, 225's, 240's and 275's tube units back in the early 70's when the 2105. 2505 and C-26 and C-28 came along. I should have kept my 275's till the 7200's came along, but didn't. If Mac had made the C-28 with a precision volume control and with less mechanical difficulties I would have never bought the C-29. The 28 had a warmer phono stage I really liked. Took me a long time to get use to the C-29, but I kept her 30 years without one hick up. Yes I cleaned the controls every year, but I never considered that an issue. I did break the glass panel but that was my fault and it was easy to replace. MY 34 has only two noisy controls I have to clean. The Balance and loudness controls.


I hope you are as fortunate with your C-22III and 275's. I had to replace a few tubes in each 275 every 6 months to keep my two bi-amping 275's with in specs and that was with Davie O'Brien replacing the entire sets every two years. The C-22 was far less demanding. By some extra tubes as they are just going to be more expensive as time goes on. At least Mac doesn't use those pesky problem prone 12BH7A's anymore.

Steve says always to buy matched sets of tubes, that way you know they have been thoroughly tested and you will have far fewer lemons in your selections. George, one of Steves consulting Guru's that also builds circuit boards for earlier SS units, told me at one time maybe only one in 10 KT 88's were acceptable. Steve laughs and says is wasn't quite that bad. But buying sets solved that problem.
 
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Every day when I listen to music either through the MC30's, MC225, or MC240 I thank my very lucky stars. Add to those an MX110Z and C11 pre and a couple of CR7's, and a C24 that right now is being used as an extra phono pre for a couple of tables and I'm pretty much done.

That said, if another MC225 came up locally I'd be interested. With La Scala's, it sure ain't necessary, but if one pops up locally in restored shape I'll be taking a serious look. Would love to run those amps in mono.
 
Currently enjoying my new acquisitions (MC-452 / C-50) combination paired with Snell A-II's. I also own MC-2200 / C-42 and MC-2105 / C-28 combinations. I'd like to own some MC-30's or any of the tube mono blocks at some point though.
 
The McIntosh amps I currently own. Pair of original MC75’s. ( consecutive numbered )Need to rebuild #2. Blueprint same as #1.
Both MC30’s done.
Run all 4 from the later model C20. ( potted PT ), no gold bar faceplate.
Might add a MC-2505 in another system. If the trade still stands, his McIntosh 2505 for my Unison Research Simply Italy.
 
Bushikan said:
View attachment 2643563

These are currently listed on Audiogon…
Probably can’t go wrong if you’ve got an extra $45K lying around. Good for a second/office system, at least.
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Came from a home in Corpus Christi, along with a dozen 2300, 2500, 2600s. The new owner was impatient and wanted to sell it all to one party and fast. I was the first potential buyer he had but no immediate time to remove it all so I passed. I have some pics on my PC of the installation.
 
damacman said:
Came from a home in Corpus Christi, along with a dozen 2300, 2500, 2600s. The new owner was impatient and wanted to sell it all to one party and fast. I was the first potential buyer he had but no immediate time to remove it all so I passed. I have some pics on my PC of the installation.
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Please post some pics.

For about half the $$$$$, I’d probably just go with a used pair of these:

upload_2022-8-20_17-16-41.png
 
damacman said:
Came from a home in Corpus Christi, along with a dozen 2300, 2500, 2600s. The new owner was impatient and wanted to sell it all to one party and fast. I was the first potential buyer he had but no immediate time to remove it all so I passed. I have some pics on my PC of the installation.
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holy crap, Corpus Christi is the LAST place I’d expect to ever find that kind of audio nirvana. Corpus can’t even qualify for a Lexus dealer lol
 
I really don't covet any amps at the moment. But as I get older I've started to simplify things in my life, I've thought of going the integrated amp route. Those big Mc integrated amps are pretty cool. I guess it's the 9000 or 12000.
 
Since I've been able to reacquire a MC2105, I really have no serious need/want for any more Mc amps. Thought about MC60's for awhile, but as my 240 throws out close to 60 watts with their 7027 tubes(according to ron-c) it's plenty for any speaker I own, including the AR3's.

Famous last words, I know...
 
If money were no object, I’d like to have a pair of the new mc275 amps configured as mono blocks, and a mint mc2255. These would compliment my collection nicely.
 
Speaking from a realistic and reasonable standpoint, probably 1.25KWs or MC901s

But I prefer having a more well rounded system than being amp heavy
 
Onebean said:
I’d like to have a pair of the new mc275 amps configured as mono blocks
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You most likely would be quite happy, Onebean..
I know that I`m very happy, though bank account poorer for my choice of buying (4) MC-275LEs over 12 yrs. ago that are doing their duty mono configured providing wonderful sound and trouble free service powering the mid, and HF speakers in my living room`s tri-amplified Mc. XRT-30 speaker system.
And during cold weather, those sound producing space heaters can really warm up a room, in no time !
 
Gibson 2021 said:
If you could have any McIntosh amp, which one would it be and why? And of course which McIntosh preamp along with it.

For me it would be the MC901 amps and a C2700 pre amp. To that is the ultimate McIntosh audio setup. The combo of tubes in the mids and highs and a solid state for the lows.

If I wanted to be more conservative with money, it would be the MC312 and the C53,
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It would be the MA12000 absolutely.

I would get rid of:
NAD C165BEE preamp
PrimaLuna EVO400 poweramp
Topping DX3 Pro+ DAC
Pro-ject Phono Box DS3 B phono preamp
 
It would have to be an MC-2300.

Then I'd build a pair of plywood cabs, with 15" JBL woofers and Electro-voice tweeters.

Wall of sound, baby.
 
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