McIntosh amplifier

[vendo81]

Lately I've been wanting to get a McIntosh tube amplifier or a set of monoblocks to use with Klipsch Heresey speakers. The looks can't be beat. I have a low powered solid state MC2505 in my bedroom that I really like and has plenty of power but would like to swap it out for a tubed setup.
Everyone knows the MC275 sounds great but what about some of the less costly ones like the MC30 and MC60 monos? A person I recenty met who has bought and sold lots of tube equipment told me he didn't care for the sound of the MC60 but liked the MC30's. When I asked why he said the 60's sounded "dry" to him on the same set of speakers.
I find this confusing as I've read nothing but good things about the MC60's and besides more power than the MC30's the build quality looks the same.
Is there anyone that has heard both or others that can shed some light on there differences sound wise if any? Are they under rated power wise like my MC2505? Thanks for any help...

 

[ke4mcl]

i have an mc240 and the only thing i own that sounds better to me is my hand built gunter steinart 100wpc stereo tube amp.

ive heard that the mc225 is the best sounding of all of the mac tube amps but havent had a chance to audition one.

 

[vendo81]

i have an mc240 and the only thing i own that sounds better to me is my hand built gunter steinart 100wpc stereo tube amp.

ive heard that the mc225 is the best sounding of all of the mac tube amps but havent had a chance to audition one.

Thanks for the response. ...What output tubes does the MC225 use and can it be bought for the price of a couple MC60's?

 

[ke4mcl]

http://mcintoshlaboratory.tripod.com/aa/mc225.htm

 

[www.records]

I don't think you would be disappointed with any of the above mentioned amps. But IMO once you go there, you will be wanting to upgrade your speakers which is where you would probably notice the biggest upgrade in sound.

 

[mcdan]

I have a pair of MC-30's I would not let go for anything! (well almost lol) In use on a daily basis and sound as sweet as anything out there.

 

[soundmotor]

I have a set of MC30's and an MC275. I like them both but could easily just own the MC30's. They are really, really good. There is no such thing as a "starter" amp in the McIntosh tube line. One thing though; in my experience they are finicky as to the speakers they are paired with. I did not like how they worked with ported speakers but think they sound great with sealed-box designs. YMMV!

 

[vendo81]

I don't think you would be disappointed with any of the above mentioned amps. But IMO once you go there, you will be wanting to upgrade your speakers which is where you would probably notice the biggest upgrade in sound.

What would you suggest of the smaller speakers? This system is in my bedroom and I don't want to piss off the wife :nono:

 

[vendo81]

I have a set of MC30's and an MC275. I like them both but could easily just own the MC30's. They are really, really good. There is no such thing as a "starter" amp in the McIntosh tube line. One thing though; in my experience they are finicky as to the speakers they are paired with. I did not like how they worked with ported speakers but think they sound great with sealed-box designs. YMMV!

What speakers do you use with your MC30's? I just can't get over the great looks of the McIntosh line and if they sound good I would never need to upgrade and use them for a display...

 

[jgordon]

Where are you finding MC-60s for significantly less than a 275? I'm seeing prices in the $1500-1600 range for the 60s, and $3000 - 3500 for the 275.

 

[vendo81]

Where are you finding MC-60s for significantly less than a 275? I'm seeing prices in the $1500-1600 range for the 60s, and $3000 - 3500 for the 275.

At first I wanted only monoblocks but thought I'd get opinons on any of their tubed models. Just don't know enough about any of them sound wise.
I hadn't looked into the price of the MC225 or the MC275 so don't know how they compare in price. For some reason I thought they were more then the mono's.
Seems like the MC30's sound good to many people. Has anyone tried them with Genalex KT66's?

 

[Big Mac]

Hop on over to the McIntosh forum, if you haven't already done so....lots of advice over there.

I have an MC225......sweet when paired with horns (I have Klipsch LaScalas) with a really nice presentation....sweet sounding little amp.

I have a pair of MC30's.....that really tubey sound is found here....I love them, too.

I have an MC275V....great all arounder.....powerful since it clips at about 93 watts per channel....excellent amp.

Have not heard the 60's or the 240...

I use either a C220 from 2007 or an MX110 from 1966 as preamps for any of the above mentioned...mix and match.....1966 amp with a modern pre, 2007 series V with a 1966 pre..........all in the family.

If you buy the older stuff it needs to be worked on, "refreshed" so to speak, the caps are 40 years old, resistors, etc. Buy, send to Terry DeWick (found as a sponsor at the bottom of the page), get it (them) back, plug and play for the next X number of years. Enjoy!

You can't go wrong with a 225 or a pair of 30s depending upon the sensitivity of your speakers (LaScalas are 104 and can be driven and have been driven to incredible levels by the 225, the 30s and by my 2A3 flea powered amps.)

 

[vendo81]

Hop on over to the McIntosh forum, if you haven't already done so....lots of advice over there.

I have an MC225......sweet when paired with horns (I have Klipsch LaScalas) with a really nice presentation....sweet sounding little amp.

I have a pair of MC30's.....that really tubey sound is found here....I love them, too.

I have an MC275V....great all arounder.....powerful since it clips at about 93 watts per channel....excellent amp.

Have not heard the 60's or the 240...

I use either a C220 from 2007 or an MX110 from 1966 as preamps for any of the above mentioned...mix and match.....1966 amp with a modern pre, 2007 series V with a 1966 pre..........all in the family.

If you buy the older stuff it needs to be worked on, "refreshed" so to speak, the caps are 40 years old, resistors, etc. Buy, send to Terry DeWick (found as a sponsor at the bottom of the page), get it (them) back, plug and play for the next X number of years. Enjoy!

You can't go wrong with a 225 or a pair of 30s depending upon the sensitivity of your speakers (LaScalas are 104 and can be driven and have been driven to incredible levels by the 225, the 30s and by my 2A3 flea powered amps.)

Thank you Big Mac! I'll check out the McIntosh forum...:yes:

 

[soundmotor]

What speakers do you use with your MC30's? I just can't get over the great looks of the McIntosh line and if they sound good I would never need to upgrade and use them for a display...

Celestions, I have both SL600si's & Monitor 100's. Although I never tried SL6's on my MC30's when I had a hold of a set, there is no reason to think they wouldn't work nice too.