mc225 has more volume than mc275 v6

[Sanjin]

Hi folks,

I own a mc225 for about a year and i enjoy it a lot. I use it with few set of speakers: b&w 802d, klipschorn and klipsch la scala. Mc225, i think from early sixties, does amazing job even with the b&w. I use nad c658 as streamer and preamp.

I was always curious about the newer mcintosh tube amps so two days ago i bought the mcintosh mc275 v6. it looks amazing...it sound a little different then the mc225...it sound great...i cannot say better...maybe a little bit wider and "politically correct"...and some better bass control. But first thing i noticed is that it produces a less volume then the mc225. (Approximately 25%). I thought it would be vice versa because the mc275 has more watt on the end. How is this possible? I do have my volume pots on the mc225 always fully open, all the the end. The mc275 does not have these pots. Is there some extra amplification on the mc225 with these pots or is something wrong with the mc275?

I must say I have even more respect for this mc225 now that can compare it with 60 year younger and bigger brother

 

[damacman]

It's simply a difference in sensitivity. Modern McIntosh preamps, likely to be paired with the MC275 VI, have far greater output capability than did the ones that would have been originally paired to the MC225. So, the MC275 will require a higher setting on the volume control of the preamp than will the MC225 to achieve the same output level. The simple fix is to reduce the fain settings on the MC225 so that it outputs the same level as does the MC275 VI at the same setting on the volume control.

Either way, the MC225 is one helluva' amp. I love mine and don't ever intend to sell it.

 

[Sanjin]

That explains it! Thank you for your answer. I have my mc225 volume pot on 11 o'clock. Now it is even with the mc275.

 

[sberger]

I use my MC225/MX110 combo with a pair of Cornwalls, and with the 110 volume at 12-1 o'clock, in my small/medium sized room, if listening to digital or FM, anything over 9 o'clock on the 225's gain's is almost concert level loud, IE too loud for daily listening. With phono, I can go a little higher if I want.

 

[twiiii]

A C-22 original would put out over 8 volts just like the new stuff, but it won't drive the low impedance loads of the new amps. Turn the volume controls down to the 11:00 o'clock position on the 225's and the volume level should be about the same as the newer 275. I owned 240's, 275's, MC 60's and used 225's and MC 3500's. I really liked the 225 with super efficient speakers like Cornwalls and Corner horns and Altec Capistranos and Carmels, over the 275's. But for my Bozaks later on the 240's and 275's did the job where the 225 couldn't un less having two running mono. The sound of the 225 and the 3500 were my favorites.

 

[SaturationPt]

You're confusing voltage with watts, not the same. True that the higher gain (voltage amplified / multiplied) will produce higher "volume", but the higher wattage available at the MC275 should be able to carry that volume higher still, or in some cases merely run less efficient speakers better.

 

[sberger]

You're confusing voltage with watts, not the same. True that the higher gain (voltage amplified / multiplied) will produce higher "volume", but the higher wattage available at the MC275 should be able to carry that volume higher still, or in some cases merely run less efficient speakers better.

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