Yeah I don't feel the pre is a good match for the new 275, I also don't feel the amp is the best option for the 250ti. The 250s want power and 90 watts isn't even close the the 400+ they love.
MC275 MK-VI vs vintage MC275 ?
- Thread starter ofery
- Start date
Pio1980
AK Member
If both have input controls, a parity check Can be done by plugging a digital line source directly into each in succession and comparing.
The Mk VI does not have a gain control so the source will need one.
You have both amps in the house and can listen side by side? or are you going by memory?
Both amps are very different and even if they where of the same vintage I think you would here a bit of difference. One thing I do know is the new 275 doesn't have a big distorting and coloration factor that some like and call it tube sounding. I find the new MC275 sounds very close if not the same as my mac SS amps built today. I don't have any old mac tube amps but I do have two different VAC amps that have the roll off, coloration and distortion, the 275 is a world different from these.
Naturally - that is assuming all other performance-robbing factors have been ruled out.
I would expect that the 50k Ohm impedance would allow for some tolerance beyond, and 47k is less than 5% below that, ... audible effects I doubt.
Your MC240 vs MC275VI? I can't imagine the 240 driving 250Tis, mine didn't drive 240Tis efficiently and the crossover alone in the 250 is a huge power hog. I'd expect to get close with two bridged MC240s, but really more like two bridged MC275s for any dynamics.
There are differences between the 6L6GC and KT88 tubes in sound also, many people feel that the KT88s don't have the detail of the 6L6GC amps, opinions yes but a lot of them.
If anything I'd give the new 275 some time, see if it opens up a bit. You might also play with placement of the 250TIs, maybe there is detail that you're just not hearing as the 250Ti is designed to be away from walls and corners, toed-in a bit, as placement sensitive as any dipole IMO. When they're right, they're REALLY right.
Your MC240 vs MC275VI? I can't imagine the 240 driving 250Tis, mine didn't drive 240Tis efficiently and the crossover alone in the 250 is a huge power hog. I'd expect to get close with two bridged MC240s, but really more like two bridged MC275s for any dynamics.
There are differences between the 6L6GC and KT88 tubes in sound also, many people feel that the KT88s don't have the detail of the 6L6GC amps, opinions yes but a lot of them.
If anything I'd give the new 275 some time, see if it opens up a bit. You might also play with placement of the 250TIs, maybe there is detail that you're just not hearing as the 250Ti is designed to be away from walls and corners, toed-in a bit, as placement sensitive as any dipole IMO. When they're right, they're REALLY right.
Na, I did that right out the gate bridged 275 Mk VI, @ 180wpc and L250.
They didn't wake up until i got my MC402 and then sounded better with my MC501s
Unfortunately the 10,000 ohm input impedance of the MC402 would be a major step in the wrong direction with the OP's preamplifier.
If asked what what would work well with both - a pair of JBL 250Ti and a McIntosh C11, I would recommend the MC2200/Mc2205 or MC2300. Any of these should power the speakers with ease and interfacing well with the C11 while being the most cost effective solution.
A pair of original MC275 will be significantly more costly, provide less headroom while carrying the added expense of tube wear & replacement.
I generally prefer SS for demanding speakers, especially when played at high listening levels, leaving tube amplifiers for high sensitivity speakers which will help prolong the life out of the tubes. While tube amplifiers may be used under rigorous conditions if one really insists upon it, SS is simply far better suited for the task - electronically as well as economically.
If asked what what would work well with both - a pair of JBL 250Ti and a McIntosh C11, I would recommend the MC2200/Mc2205 or MC2300. Any of these should power the speakers with ease and interfacing well with the C11 while being the most cost effective solution.
A pair of original MC275 will be significantly more costly, provide less headroom while carrying the added expense of tube wear & replacement.
I generally prefer SS for demanding speakers, especially when played at high listening levels, leaving tube amplifiers for high sensitivity speakers which will help prolong the life out of the tubes. While tube amplifiers may be used under rigorous conditions if one really insists upon it, SS is simply far better suited for the task - electronically as well as economically.
Yeah this is not my recommendation. I feel there is a mismatch all the way around, pre doesn't match the power amp, the power the speakers want, a SS amp would be better.
maybe the MC2500 or MC2600
The 275 mk VI have been the hardest amps in my system to match to speakers for me. To tell the truth I still haven't found anything I'm totally happy with. I think when I first got them and paired them to the Sansui SP-5000s was the best all around performance I got from them. 90 watt, 102 db, getting hit with 180 watts of tubes, bad distortion didn't happen until around 160+ watts. This match up would blow you out the house, while not supper detailed the helped the Mk VI, because it doesn't really sound tubie. The speakers helped in the soft distortion of a supper clean tube amp. Mac got this tube amp so clean with good speakers you can't tell if it's SS or tubes other than your sacrificing in power.
I'v had mine long enough to be able to get most my money back in a sale. Not that they are bad amps, just they don't work that great for what I want from them. Or try to fined some SP-5000s again, or try the amps on these I just got and build the high and mids for my needs
JBL Model 35 Console Reflex Enclosure L-130B 15" Woofers
https://audiokarma.org/forums/index...le-reflex-enclosure-l-130b-15-woofers.861323/
Heres a goof off vid but you can see the speakers are in my system
jblnut
Don't Overthink It
I know I am in the minority with this power mad crowd, but since I had the 250Ti and 275 IV combo for 5 years my observations may carry some weight in this discussion. I never found the 275 lacking in any way with my 250's. It had more than enough power to deliver a very dynamic listening experience in my room. It also had a very SS sound and was the polar opposite of the Dynaco Mark IIIs I was using previously. Where the 275 fell behind (And this was not apparent until I moved up to 501s), was in micro details and low bass control. I started hearing new things I had never heard in my recordings and it was a revelation to be free of the tube coloration, subtle as it was. But it was a double edge sword as that slight coloration made many of my less than perfect recordings sound better than they really were.
There is very much to like about the 250-275 pairing and you want to be really sure you are headed in the right direction - for you - before you dismiss the 275 as too weak for 250s.
jblnut
There is very much to like about the 250-275 pairing and you want to be really sure you are headed in the right direction - for you - before you dismiss the 275 as too weak for 250s.
jblnut
damacman
Resident Psycho
Madness I tell ya’! I often wonder just how happy I could be with my dinky MC225 ...
Well said its all user preference in the end, you have mirrored my finding but actually worked with the 250-275 pairing a lot longer, I gave up right away. But it was work or should I say hobby for you, you where always tweaking the speakers or amps till you got the 501s....
Now the 501s pushed you into better speakers and records
Didn't you run two 275s though JBLnut??
I'm happy with just the music alone, I spend more time with less than equipment.Madness I tell ya’! I often wonder just how happy I could be with my dinky MC225 ...
I got to get a idler wheel for this now
jblnut
Don't Overthink It
JWJW
Bun E. Carlos
Buy a modern Mc pre and replace the C11. JMHO...
ofery
Active Member
Never, it's not an option ...
Looks like all of the post 1990 MC 275 versions with input level controls, all except the 50th and the Mk VI, have an input impedance of 100 KOhm (MK V is 90 KOhm) and so should not have an issue with the C11. These could be had for less money than either the MK VI or the original MC 275.
My MK IV seems to work fine with my C22.
My MK IV seems to work fine with my C22.
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twiiii
Lunatic Member
when people wanted to upgrade amps we always recommended 4 or 5 db more power if the speakers could handle it. So if you like tubes that would be a pair of MC 2301's or two 2152's in mono if that is even possible. I would be looking for a MC 352 or 402 pre-owned. You might be able to sell your 275 and get enough money to afford either SS units. But the issue is the C-11. You could try a a MC 2300. It has the necessary high input impedance. But never over drive the amp, when a 2300 clips it gets nasty.