MA2275 -- due for an upgrade?
- Thread starter dolstein
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Oh, there's also room for improvement. Having a mini headphone jack on $7500 component is a joke. And why is it that McIntosh thinks that nobody who purchases an integrated amplifier would ever use an MC catridge on their turntable? Surely there's room in the McIntosh product line-up for an intergrated amplifier with an MC phono stage.
Matt The Cat
Prowlin' At 78 RPMs
I agree that sonically, it is pretty near perfect. However, I too am somewhat frustrated by the mini headphone jack as I use phones a lot. Speaking of using headphones, another things that very annoying is that when you are listening on "mute" and you switch from say phono to CD, you have to remember to press "mute" again. If you don't, you'll blow the door off the room and wake up your wife and neighbors. I wish the 2275 would remain "muted" until you actual press mute again. Are all Mc preamps like this? That, the small headphone jack and the lack of MC phono stage are the only negative things I can come up with re: the 2275. I don't think Mc needs to have 2 integrated tube amps in the lineup, they just need to update the 2275 during future production.
God, I love this amp.
God, I love this amp.
I just worry about the plug pulling out (especially with a long headphone cable) and scratching the glass front. I never understood why McIntosh went with the mini jacks when even mass market components have full-sized jacks.
parts availablity i believe. The glass is quite thick
Just get your phones recabled to have a mini jack....
I did that with my Sennheiser 650's. Stefan Audio Art. Great guy, awesome cable, really makes the 650's sing.
Then you won't need one of those clunky adaptors anymore. And while you're at it, tell him to add a few extra feet to the cable. A nice touch for late night listening sessions in your favorite easy chair!
I did that with my Sennheiser 650's. Stefan Audio Art. Great guy, awesome cable, really makes the 650's sing.
Then you won't need one of those clunky adaptors anymore. And while you're at it, tell him to add a few extra feet to the cable. A nice touch for late night listening sessions in your favorite easy chair!
Kingsxfan
New Member
Well I'd find it weird that someone would use the onboard MM phono stage in the 2275 at all, except for those who are only occasional vinyl users. In this instance I feel its just a nice extra thrown in by McIntosh. I use an off-board and dedicated phono-pre that's miles ahead. I've tried the MM stage with a pair of high quality step-up transformers and I don't feel its transparent enough to exploit a very good MC.
With regards to the headphone socket; I've found that a lot of headphones, especially European brands, appear to be coming with 3.5mm jacks as standard these days as well.
Other than that, I feel the MA2275 is one of the best integrated amps in the world right now, period.
With regards to the headphone socket; I've found that a lot of headphones, especially European brands, appear to be coming with 3.5mm jacks as standard these days as well.
Other than that, I feel the MA2275 is one of the best integrated amps in the world right now, period.
If I knew this when I bought mine, I would have passed on the MA2275.
Use the remote volume when on mute and with headphones, and blast off again! Who needs coffee? It is kind of cool, to get my plaque flowing though, at late night...
It is a major flaw in design to me and my Senn 650's.
But for 2 channel listening at moderate to semi loud levels, its sounds fantastic!
They say, a bigger jack would not fit the panel.
Matt The Cat
Prowlin' At 78 RPMs
You make it sound like McIntosh put a crap MM tube pre-amp into the 2275, which is just not the case. It might not be adequate if one desires to add on a MC pre-amp, but Mac did a fabulous job with its onboard phono amp for MM cartridges. At least I'm very pleased with it.
FB101
New Member
I fully agree with this statement, especially with a little bit of tube rolling this MM phono stage is a very good performer. Of course you can do better with an external phono pre-amp, but for MM cartridges below $500 it would be a waste in my mind to go outboard. If you move to more refined MM cartridges or MC cartridges, then the question is legitimate and my own expereince with step-up transformers confirmed the marriage was not very satisfactory.
I am more reserved on the headphone amp section, I find it barely acceptable. I am especially surprised at the comment regarding driving an AKG K701 with it - I barely get acceptable bass with that set-up and overall control of the cans is so-so at best (it is much better with a Senn HD650, a notoriously easier load). My reference is the Musical Fidelity XCanV3, so nothing outrageous either but the MA2275 does not get close to the MF as a headphone amplifier.
Regarding other upgrades? That "mute" thing drives me nuts as well! Since I tap my headphone signal from the tape-out of the MA2275 I need the mute button as well when listening through headphones. Change source and the speakers come alive - annoying.
The new MM/MC phono stage would be nice as well on this amplifier; and to be very picky, I would allow for disabeling the pre-amp section for the very few people that upgrade to a separate pre-amp but continue to use the amplifier section.
As it stands it is near perfect, but a few tweaks to address a couple of the mentioned glitches would be nice.