• 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

Just bought a vintage MC250

Stephen Beck

Stephen Beck

New Member
...And honestly, I can't believe how good it sounds. It's my second McIntosh piece... Found it on eBay one night and found myself bidding. It's REALLY clean (aesthetically). I didn't have a ton of expectation of it sounding as good as it does - was just hoping it would be a good-sounding centerpiece / conversation piece centering a little 2-channel setup I've got in a smaller room.

I haven't been able to move from between these B&W speakers for more than 4 hours. It's REALLY impressive.

I've read it was McIntosh's first foray into solid state amps w/autoformers. 50 watts / channel bridgeable to 100 wpc. It's just REALLY exceeded my expectations!

Love any and all thoughts on its history - or role in McHistory at all. I'm considering this thing an "heirloom" piece now that I've got it all cleaned up and it's sounding as good as it is.

I need to know everything there is to know about it!
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0369.jpg
    IMG_0369.jpg
    113.2 KB · Views: 52
Register to hide this ad
Welcome to AK.

I have a similar story. Was very happy with my ARC D115 MKII tube amp that I'd been using for 20 years. One day, just for fun, I decided to buy an MC2505 (same as MC250 but with glass front and meters and not able to be bridged) - just for a historical, novelty piece. I did not expect much and indeed, when I listened to it, the sound was fuzzy and woolly. But my plan was to have it electrically restored, so I shipped it off. When it got back restored to factory specs, I too was totally amazed at the sound quality. The ARC was sold a few months later and my wallet has been raided over the years since (see my signature).

Lots of good info on these amps in this forum, so you're in the right place. And time to take out that second mortgage now that you're hooked.
 
Stephen Beck said:
...And honestly, I can't believe how good it sounds. It's my second McIntosh piece... Found it on eBay one night and found myself bidding. It's REALLY clean (aesthetically). I didn't have a ton of expectation of it sounding as good as it does - was just hoping it would be a good-sounding centerpiece / conversation piece centering a little 2-channel setup I've got in a smaller room.

I haven't been able to move from between these B&W speakers for more than 4 hours. It's REALLY impressive.

I've read it was McIntosh's first foray into solid state amps w/autoformers. 50 watts / channel bridgeable to 100 wpc. It's just REALLY exceeded my expectations!

Love any and all thoughts on its history - or role in McHistory at all. I'm considering this thing an "heirloom" piece now that I've got it all cleaned up and it's sounding as good as it is.

I need to know everything there is to know about it!
Click to expand...
Well thats it, you're done, a lost cause.....this is the first Mc amp I heard and worked on also, then less than 12 months later, I had a MC452, MC352, C48, MEN220, MR78, MR80, C33, C40, C32...........some of those pieces have moved on now, but holy crap when I lit the fuse on the MC250 which my friend bought for next to nothing DOA.....I could not believe what I was hearing!!

I'll come back with more details...
 
Thanks for the welcome everyone! Here's another pic of it. It's not in its final resting place at all. These little B&W's have been fun to sit between, but It'll now end up somewhere in a main system. It's in REALLY good shape considering its age. Can't wait to read all your thoughts!IMG_0372.jpg
 
kevzep said:
Well thats it, you're done, a lost cause.....this is the first Mc amp I heard and worked on also, then less than 12 months later, I had a MC452, MC352, C48, MEN220, MR78, MR80, C33, C40, C32...........some of those pieces have moved on now, but holy crap when I lit the fuse on the MC250 which my friend bought for next to nothing DOA.....I could not believe what I was hearing!!

I'll come back with more details...
Click to expand...


You are NOT wrong. It's over for me... #obsessed
 
Welcome to AK Stephen, I also own a MC 250 and it was sent to Audio Classics for a look over, came back sounding like a new one. Only Mac amp I own and very happy with it. Congrats on getting yours!
 
kevzep said:
Welcome to the journey......!!

That amp will pair up nicely with a C33 pre-amp, wait until you hear that nice little combo!!
Click to expand...

I use my MC2505 between a C47 and Magneplaner 1.7i speakers and that works really well too. It also sounds great between the C220 and Acoustats and between the C22 and Original Large Advents.
 
Happened upon this thread today which raised a question.....Anyone heard the combo of an MX110Z preamp and an MC250? Actually, maybe (2) MC250s? Thoughts? Thanks
 
Hey everyone... I've played with the mc250 now for a while and it's currently driving L/R mains in our main living room 5.1 system. It has 1). Added a really cool visual vibe to the entertainment console - It's gorgeous... It has also 2). REVOLUTIONIZED this room of sound for me. I'm using a Denon AVR 3311ci L/R preamp outs to feed the MC250. I have (what I consider) a fairly "meh" pair of early 2000's era Boston Acoustics towers - that have always sounded "OK." the MC250 has livened even these incredibly average speakers with warmth, volume and clarity I haven't ever heard from this system.

I do now have the dreaded power switch problem. Anyone have any clever ideas here? It's just on all the time unless I shut the power button off. Can't be great for it to just sit and cook all day every day (and there's an annoying little snap that comes through the speakers when I power the Denon on.

I'm thinking I need to wire up a little switch mounted to a cool mount and place it near the amp within easy reach. The Denon won't trigger AC on and off like my old school receivers used to do.

Thoughts? Thanks!
 
Your wallet will never be the same. My journey started with an MC2100. 10+ years later I've purchased *many* McIntosh pieces including an MC250 and an MC2505 which were both excellent.

-Matt
 
Hang on ... you mean to tell me that McIntosh amps actually sound good? ****, I thought they were just to separate doctors and lawyers from their money for prestige!

Ha! Welcome to the club my good man.

The easiest solution would just be a 12v triggered power strip - triggered by your Denon, assuming it has a 12v trigger output.
 
damacman said:
Hang on ... you mean to tell me that McIntosh amps actually sound good? ****, I thought they were just to separate doctors and lawyers from their money for prestige!

Ha! Welcome to the club my good man.

The easiest solution would just be a 12v triggered power strip - triggered by your Denon, assuming it has a 12v trigger output.
Click to expand...

Or if you're really cheap and lazy like me, you could just use a regular old power strip triggered by you when you switch the switch on the power strip.
 
Stephen Beck said:
Hey everyone... I've played with the mc250 now for a while and it's currently driving L/R mains in our main living room 5.1 system. It has 1). Added a really cool visual vibe to the entertainment console - It's gorgeous... It has also 2). REVOLUTIONIZED this room of sound for me. I'm using a Denon AVR 3311ci L/R preamp outs to feed the MC250. I have (what I consider) a fairly "meh" pair of early 2000's era Boston Acoustics towers - that have always sounded "OK." the MC250 has livened even these incredibly average speakers with warmth, volume and clarity I haven't ever heard from this system.

I do now have the dreaded power switch problem. Anyone have any clever ideas here? It's just on all the time unless I shut the power button off. Can't be great for it to just sit and cook all day every day (and there's an annoying little snap that comes through the speakers when I power the Denon on.

I'm thinking I need to wire up a little switch mounted to a cool mount and place it near the amp within easy reach. The Denon won't trigger AC on and off like my old school receivers used to do.

Thoughts? Thanks!
Click to expand...
I use use one of these to switch the power to my Dynaco ST-70; it's triggered by the 12V output on my preamp:
https://www.amazon.com/Iot-Relay-Enclosed-High-Power-Raspberry/dp/B00WV7GMA2
31d3DLX1ubL._AC_.jpg

Connect the trigger out from your Denon AVR to the green input terminal, plug a standard IEC power cable into the socket (on the end near the red switch), and plug your amp in to one of the normally off outlets. I think it'll work exactly how you want.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom