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MC2155 or MC2205 amp?

leftside

leftside

AK Member
I've been offered both of these amps. Based on the specs (less distortion and greater damping factor), and looks (the "McIntosh" lights up on the MC2155 and not on the MC2205), I think I'll purchase the MC2155. It's a later model and I think the MC2155 is also a better cosmetic match for my existing C34V . It's only the power on the MC2155 that is less than the MC2205 (150W vs 200W).

Both units are in very fine shape. Each unit has perfect glass, perfect chasis and rear. But, as with a lot of units of this age I've seen (including my existing MC7270) the seal around the glass starts to deteriorate. But, I know this is easy to fix/replace.

Any thoughts before I make this purchase?
 
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The 2155 has tighter bass than the 2200 in my home back when. I used a 2155 and a 2200 while one my Crown's was at the factory being rebuilt after 10 years. I never used more than about 100 watts , so the power Guards never flashed. The 2155 was quieter with my 95 db efficient speakers and the bass was cleaner, tighter, and it seemed to have better transient response. Sustained LF organ tones seemed better defined, and you could more easily hear the difference in tenor drums on big jazz trap sets. Dampened bass drum seemed cleaner and faster two. Though the 2200 did a marvelous job with frequencies from 200 to 400 hz, where my bi-amped woofers rolled off. I had traded my 2100's for 2200's and then moved to Crowns. When I heard the 7200, I knew my Crowns had finally been out distanced. The sound was tight and clean but didn't have the overly dry sound the Crowns had. The 7200 was just more musical and yet was precise, too. And like the Crowns it was breathtakingly quiet. I used 2155's in discos, clubs, auditoriums, and big church systems to power the HF drivers, while using 2255 for full range bass. For Subs it was either 2500''s and later 2600's. When 7270, 7150 and 7300 came along I was very disappointed the rack mount versions weren't made. To me there was more difference between the 2205 and the sound of a 2255 or 2155 than there was with the following 7270. The test function of the 2155 is a nice feature, but is another accessory to eventually fail.
 
Interesting history. Thanks!

Surprisingly, Dons extremely detailed and well thought out response hasn't persuaded me the other way :)
 
leftside said:
I've been offered both of these amps. Based on the specs (less distortion and greater damping factor), and looks (the "McIntosh" lights up on the MC2155 and not on the MC2205), I think I'll purchase the MC2155. It's a later model and I think the MC2155 is also a better cosmetic match for my existing C34V . It's only the power on the MC2155 that is less than the MC2205 (150W vs 200W).

Both units are in very fine shape. Each unit has perfect glass, perfect chasis and rear. But, as with a lot of units of this age I've seen (including my existing MC7270) the seal around the glass starts to deteriorate. But, I know this is easy to fix/replace.

Any thoughts before I make this purchase?
Click to expand...

Which speakers are you going to drive with it and what are their specs? Also, how loud do you like to listen?

If the 2155 is the unit I am thinking of, it has a collectability factor, but may not sound better, and as pointed out, each new circuit is the probability of it's failure times the probability of all other circuits failing, so simple is better, the argument for tubes and the 2205.

The numbers are out there somewhere, but if I recall correctly the 2205 outsold the 2155, not sure how many "upgraded".

I watched a lot of El Paso Tube amps Youtube posts last night, too bad his testing of the 2205 was short, listen to his comments brief though they were. This guy owns several Mac systems of his own.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PG134pSXtDs
 
The speakers are LSA 1's. Either amp are absolutely more than sufficient for these speakers, but the speakers could well get upgraded one day... Loudness is also not an issue.

Yes, the 2155 has more circuitry - and therefore more points of failure. I can see this as a slight issue, but personally I prefer the more lights (I could live without the "System Test"). I was a little upset when the "McIntosh" light went out on my MC7270, and once you've seen that little green light you kind of want it on all your Mac gear...

Judging by how many units have been on eBay this week, I'd say the MC2205 definitely outsold the MC2155. I've seen at least 5 MC2205's, but only 1 MC2155. Even though the current MC2155 on there is listed as "mint", it is still over priced imo.

They are both solid state amps.
 
For whatever it may be worth, I've been running my MC 2155 for two years without issue to date. Since I've been AK member, I have yet to see any threads concerning failure of the MC 2155/2255 test circuitry. Naturally anything is possible, but there doesn't appear to be any evidence of the problem being epidemic by any stretch of the imagination.

The illuminated McIntosh nomenclature is a nice touch I fully agree, and in my opinion, MC 2155 is one of the handsomest glass fronted McIntosh power amplifiers ever made. The more rectangular proportions of the MC 2155 is not only more aesthetically pleasing (at least to my eyes) but a better cosmetic match to the McIntosh preamps within this generation.

Is sum, there's very little not to like in the MC 2155 assuming one & one's speakers will be happy with up to 200 wpc, RMS: At present, my 2155 tests at 195 wpc @ 0.07% THD which doesn't include headroom which would be higher still.

It's a classic blue metered McIntosh amplifier with solid collector & appreciation potential. I would not be afraid to own another.

EDIT: MC 2205 was the first McIntosh amplifier with Power Guard.

According to Berners, 1,695 MC 2155s were produced; as opposed to 12,296 MC 2205s.

You are correct, MC 2155 is far rarer.
 
And during the same period close to 5000 MC 2255 were sold. Remember these amps had a significant price increase over the previous models. We were going to use 20 2205 in a Disco in Juarez Mexico. And when it came time for shipment, there were just a few at the factory and are rep only had a few. So we shifted power requirements around and told Mac we need 18 2255's. We got them at the same total price as the 20 2205's would have cost us. Quite a savings as I remember. When we needed to add more amps when we updated the system 10 years later, we added 7300's and 2600's.
 
I've had a 2155 for many years now with no problems or issues. It is an outstanding amplifier. At one point I acquired a 2205, with the intention of just flipping it.
I did out of curiosity swap it out with the 2155. With my ultra efficient Altec's, I found no difference to speak of with the higher wattage.

Considering that the 2155 was from a newer product line, I saw no reason to make a permanent change.
 
62caddy said:
According to Berners, 1,695 MC 2155s were produced; as opposed to 12,296 MC 2205s.
You are correct, MC 2155 is far rarer.
Click to expand...
Wow, I am shocked by these figures, I had no idea. I certainly remember when the 2205 was their flagship offering.
It just goes to show you how dedicated McIntosh customers were to acquiring the best they had to offer.
 
seacliffe301 said:
Wow, I am shocked by these figures, I had no idea. I certainly remember when the 2205 was their flagship offering.
It just goes to show you how dedicated McIntosh customers were to acquiring the best they had to offer.
Click to expand...

Yup - TOL units often tended to be Mc's best sellers which sort of makes sense given Mc's often-wealthy clientele. However during the dark economic times of the late '70s, the best seller became the MAC4100. Some have suggested McIntosh may have foundered but for the new MAC of 1978.
 
Need one of those dark soap opera anouncing voices my mother watched when I was a kid........"those Dark EconomicTimes of the 70s".....

McIntosh sold ten of thousands receivers, 1700, 1900, 4100 all contributed to us dealers expecting to deliver one system based around these units a week, sometimes more, but certainly a foundation that a good salesperson could take to the bank to buy a car, home,raise a family etc.

Some of us even expected to add to that by delivering one or two amp, preamp, tuner systems a month......

A typical Mac owner was a full carat guy so the MC2205 was the full carat, a Mc2500 was too ostintagous, like a 3 carat rock, and some, while still wanting a Mac needed to settle on a lower step in the process. So the MC2105, 2205 and even the 2255 out sold the smaller glass units.
 
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Congrats! The 2155 is an order of magnitude quieter than the 2205. I swapped a 2205 for a 2255. Made a big difference in soundstage and imaging as well. Let us know if you need help replacing lamp board lights. I just did these in my 2255.
 
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