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MC275 - How good is it?

soundfan

soundfan

Member
In this forum, I read that more power is better, and more than more is even better ... so, here is a question: how would the sound quality improve/degrade in going from MC-402, which I currently own, to tube amp MC275? Does it have warmer sound? Other components in my system are C2200, Classe CD10, VPI Scoutmaster/Grado Ref and MIT Shotgun interconnects and speaker cables...speakers are Aerial Acoustics model 8 thanks...
 
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The only two amps I've heard and wanted more, are MC501's and the new Luxman power amp, oh and 2x275's :D
 
The mc275 adds a tiny bit of reverb. Sometimes that's a good thing. Relative to the mc402, it sounds better playing acoustic music and worse playing heavy/fast rock. With those speakers, I would get two mc275, especially if you like to goose the throttle sometimes.
 
Well, it's been on & off in production since 1961 & currently in it's 5th reiteration (or improvement). Does that have anything to say about how good it is??? I'd say so.

From someone who owned dual MC275's -- IMO, it all depends on your room (if a small room, the single MC275 would sound fabulous at low to moderate levels). However, with your speakers on the 4 ohm taps, and rated at 86db -- I believe the ticket would be two MC275's in mono/parallel. That would put you in command of 150 wpc (actually, closer to 180wpc).

It's mind-blowing how a mono parallel dual setup sounds.:yes:
 
soundfan said:
In this forum, I read that more power is better, and more than more is even better ... so, here is a question: how would the sound quality improve/degrade in going from MC-402, which I currently own, to tube amp MC275? Does it have warmer sound? Other components in my system are C2200, Classe CD10, VPI Scoutmaster/Grado Ref and MIT Shotgun interconnects and speaker cables...speakers are Aerial Acoustics model 8 thanks...
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I am not sure I would use 275 (even a pair) with these speakers. You need more juice than 275 can deliver. I was in a similar situation when I was driving Alon Exotica with two 275s, and then replaced the speakers with Alon Circe. Had to get BAT VK-75SE instead with much better results.
 
markc2 said:
The only two amps I've heard and wanted more, are MC501's and the new Luxman power amp, oh and 2x275's :D
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sorry for the hijack, but how was the new luxman amp?



back on topic:

If I had the money, for my room I'd get one or 2 275's instead of a 402...

that's how I like it...

here's a nice quote from a stereophile review, I completely follow the man's opinion:

"The original MC 275 sounded powerful, authoritative in the bass, and ever so alive—without seeming bright. The MC 275 had a way of making most other amplifiers of the time sound lifeless, dull, and sluggish—not to mention wrong. This is why the amplifier is still around, and not much changed, after 43 years. "

Keep them spinning,
Bert.
 
for years i had two matched mono block mc75 amps with the same serial # a & b that were made for a high ranking person at mcintosh . i had matched new old stock tung-sol kt88s and a c 22 preamp which both are no longer here as ive sold them .

currently i have a mc 275 V amp with gold lion matched kt88s and i have not used this amp for a very long time as yet but it sounds every bit as good as my mc 75s did maybe a bit better .

im using a pair of jbl l200 speakers which i believe are 96db and they sing with the mc 275 amp . soon to be getting a mc 20 preamp which is currently on the way so i will see what things sound like at that point .

g6120
 
soundfan said:
In this forum, I read that more power is better, and more than more is even better ... so, here is a question: how would the sound quality improve/degrade in going from MC-402, which I currently own, to tube amp MC275? Does it have warmer sound? Other components in my system are C2200, Classe CD10, VPI Scoutmaster/Grado Ref and MIT Shotgun interconnects and speaker cables...speakers are Aerial Acoustics model 8 thanks...
Click to expand...
I have had my MC275 MkV for 14 days now and I am already looking at how to get another one! Simply and utterly amazing, it's like a RUF 911 Turbo Porsche; every time you step on the throttle it never ever let's you down! It's that good IMHO.
 
MarSanZ said:
I have had my MC275 MkV for 14 days now and I am already looking at how to get another one! Simply and utterly amazing, it's like a RUF 911 Turbo Porsche; every time you step on the throttle it never ever let's you down! It's that good IMHO.
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Well, in that case, should you get another; you better tighten your harness before you touch the volume w/those 91db speakers.:D
 
Wanderer said:
I am not sure I would use 275 (even a pair) with these speakers. You need more juice than 275 can deliver. I was in a similar situation when I was driving Alon Exotica with two 275s, and then replaced the speakers with Alon Circe. Had to get BAT VK-75SE instead with much better results.
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So mono 275s at about 150-160w each were bested by a stereo VK-75SE putting out 75w? You know, the 275 in stereo mode has been known to put out 90w on a good day. :scratch2: I used to own and still have deep respect for BAT gear but I am having a hard time with this one.
 
Agree -- had difficulty with the last two posts (reverb & the BAT comment). Actually Serge, the dual mono/parallel is closer to 180 wpc.

I just wish I could utilize a second system -- if so, two MC275's would be the mainstay. Pure, wholesome, classic amps, period.
 
vintage_tube said:
Agree -- had difficulty with the last two posts (reverb & the BAT comment). Actually Serge, the dual mono/parallel is closer to 180 wpc.

I just wish I could utilize a second system -- if so, two MC275's would be the mainstay. Pure, wholesome, classic amps, period.

P.S. had a friend who owned the BAT 75SE's -- he said he could feel the heat from 8 feet away -- that scares me.
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They are two different breeds all together as far as I am concerned. Again, not knocking the BAT at all but the 6H30 small tubes are just not your ordinary tubes. I feel that if you lust for tubes and the magic and romance buried deep within them, the 6H30 tube removes much of that. Granted the effect is less pronounced when they are used within the amp itself but I used to own a preamp with that tube and the 6H30 was anything but romantic. No more so than a cold Siberian night would seem looking through the Gulag window. :D
 
PHC1 said:
So mono 275s at about 150-160w each were bested by a stereo VK-75SE putting out 75w? You know, the 275 in stereo mode has been known to put out 90w on a good day. :scratch2: I used to own and still have deep respect for BAT gear but I am having a hard time with this one.
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PHC1, unfortunately rated power is one of the least informative parameters of power amplifiers and does not tell much about their real world behavior. I was very comfortable with 275s performance with limited frequency range, but with truly full-range speakers it shows its shortcomings (very deep feedback, etc.). I ended up moving it to the library with Sonic Frontiers Line 3 and Dynaudio Special 25s, where it sounds just fine, but 75SE is way better at producing very deep base and lots of air.
 
Wanderer said:
PHC1, unfortunately rated power is one of the least informative parameters of power amplifiers and does not tell much about their real world behavior. I was very comfortable with 275s performance with limited frequency range, but with truly full-range speakers it shows its shortcomings (very deep feedback, etc.). I ended up moving it to the library with Sonic Frontiers Line 3 and Dynaudio Special 25s, where it sounds just fine, but 75SE is way better at producing very deep base and lots of air.
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Yeah, I got the same speech when I told my friend I was moving from my BAT VK-250 BAT-PACK with zero global feedback to MC501s with tons of feedback. Guess what, BAT still had a "house sound" with all the supposed advantages of zero feedback, two gain stage, fully balanced, dual mono design. The MC501s simply sounds like music to my ears and I never think about what the "house sound" of McIntosh may be anymore. In terms of tube power and such a large difference driving the same speakers I am still skeptical but since I did not own a VK-75 or compare it to the 275 directly as you have, I won't argue that point anymore.
 
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