McIntosh MC2100

[Yamaha B-2]

Having had both the Marantz 9s and MC275 decades ago when the (s had just ended production sad to say for me the 9s eclipsed the MC275.

There is a big difference between the sound of the early-through-reissue MC275s and the later (MkIV and current MkV) editions. Newer MC275s have considerably larger transformers, higher voltage power supplies and use a single PCB rather than p-to-p wiring. I thought the early MC275s sound slow and muddy. In contrast, the new MC275MkVs that I've owned sound anything but. Open, airy, fast with a much better extension on both the top and bottom and a wonderful, liquid mid-range. My favorite tube amp to-date. Listening to an MC2102 at the moment, but the MC275MkV is a better sounding amp thus far. I'll give it another month.

 

[exracer]

Hi - I am mainly a Marantz user but have been lusting after some Mac's of late
- in particular, the solid state MC250 and MC2100. My new favorite Marantz is
the 250 power amp. How would an MC2100 compare, soundwise to the 250
Marantz? I have never heard any McIntosh amps but always hear about how
nice they sound. Some folks say the these Mac amps are ugly but I find them
pretty nice to look at. I would like some tubes but can't really afford them at
present. Any people able to make a comparison between the Marantz and
the McIntosh? To tell you more detail, I use Paradigm speakers, currently a
Marantz 3600 preamp (buying a Perreaux SM2 preamp), Cambridge Audio CDP
and listen to all kinds of rock, independent music, jazz, folk, etc. Not much
in the line of classical. Any opinions? Thanks - Jon

I hate to throw a wrench in things, (ok, actually I love to!), but what about the pre? why are you set on the Perreaux? what about a Mc pre? I think someone earlier suggested if may affect the final sound more than the amp anyway. I am not suggesting that the Mc sounds better to you than the Perreaux does but...? and what about impedence matching etc.?

 

[wajobu]

Well, I'd say that that Marantz IS pretty :yes:

 

[javajam12]

Preamp

I hate to throw a wrench in things, (ok, actually I love to!), but what about the pre? why are you set on the Perreaux? what about a Mc pre? I think someone earlier suggested if may affect the final sound more than the amp anyway. I am not suggesting that the Mc sounds better to you than the Perreaux does but...? and what about impedence matching etc.?

The Perreaux is mainly for the 250. It was an experiment to see what it was
like with that amp. If I buy a McIntosh amp, I will most likely try out an
appropriate Mac preamp with it. C28 maybe? Not sure yet. I am in the midst of building 3 separate systems for different rooms. I'll have the Marantz 250 and Perreaux preamp in one, Marantz 15 and 3600 pre in one and possibly a McIntosh MC2100/2505 with C28(?) in the third. All using Paradigm speakers, 7 Mk II's, 3 Mk II's and Titans. I have Cambridge Audio cdp's. Perhaps one setup with center around my TV system. I don't do home theatre, only 2 channel. Not interested. All of that can and will change whenever I want it to. I am on a budget and this may take a long time to do
but I'm having fun with it and that's all that matters to me.

 

[exracer]

The Perreaux is mainly for the 250. It was an experiment to see what it was
like with that amp. If I buy a McIntosh amp, I will most likely try out an
appropriate Mac preamp with it. C28 maybe? Not sure yet. I am in the midst of building 3 separate systems for different rooms. I'll have the Marantz 250 and Perreaux preamp in one, Marantz 15 and 3600 pre in one and possibly a McIntosh MC2100/2505 with C28(?) in the third. All using Paradigm speakers, 7 Mk II's, 3 Mk II's and Titans. I have Cambridge Audio cdp's. Perhaps one setup with center around my TV system. I don't do home theatre, only 2 channel. Not interested. All of that can and will change whenever I want it to. I am on a budget and this may take a long time to do
but I'm having fun with it and that's all that matters to me.

through 2 career changes, an expensive daughter, and a move, after 5 years, starting with a cd player then my mc pre, I finally have a decent setup. Enjoy !! :thmbsp:

 

[Big Mac]

Try a C27, C29, C30, C32, or C33 with the 2100 or 2505 amp....I believe they have the "newer" volume control and just better all around than a C28.

I lived with a C28 and a C32 for awhile....the 32 was way better.

 

[Little Nellie]

C32 is a great pre-amp but will need to have the ribbon cables checked out. I had one came apart on me but once it was replaced with new manufacture ribbon and solder on to the PCB instead of connector, it is great.

While the C32 looks like the C33 and C34V on the outside, the inside is totally different. Source selection circuit is much better IMHO using FETs instead of those relays in an IC form factor that are hard to come by.

The C28 is a very solid unit, not much can go wrong with that box other than the caps do dry up and crack. Not much parts so it is a easy fix.

LN

 

[ehoove]

C32 is a great pre-amp but will need to have the ribbon cables checked out. I had one came apart on me but once it was replaced with new manufacture ribbon and solder on to the PCB instead of connector, it is great.

While the C32 looks like the C33 and C34V on the outside, the inside is totally different. Source selection circuit is much better IMHO using FETs instead of those relays in an IC form factor that are hard to come by.

The C28 is a very solid unit, not much can go wrong with that box other than the caps do dry up and crack. Not much parts so it is a easy fix.

LN

I can vouch for the C27,C28 both great sounding units. The C28 has a great Phono section, poor volume control, C27 Solid performer and a much inproved Volume Control. I used both with a MC2100, C27 was the overall winner IMHO
Regards,
Jim

 

[javajam12]

Thanks

thanks guys, the info on the preamps will be invaluable when I get ready to buy
one. I definitely need to know things like that that will affect the operation and
longevity. Now I have more things to look at!

 

[totosooner]

The issue you bring up should not the published specs, it is what is actually produced by the amplifier.

I had 2 Mac 2100's (now I only have one ) . The Mac 2100 did not produce ,5% THD until it was delivering 147 watts per channel. It was virtually the same for both of them. The autoformer is fantastic and does help shape the sound. The 2100 sounds VERY tube like because it was designed like a tube amp. Nothing sounds as good as a vintage Mac. I also have a Marantz 2325. It is a very pedestrian sound and requires repairs that the Macs don't. The only receivers that come close to a MAC is a Concept 16.5 which I also had. I now have mostly tube gear including completely rebuilt Dynaco ST70 and PAS's. When completely rebuilt they are very nice. I also have a Scott 340B and a Pioneer/Allied 333. Those are both nice. My next buy however will be a Mac tube amp. I am saving my shekels.

Just MHO

 

[Pio1980]

I guess that's what I should have done, get the 8B instead of the MC275 (and follow it up witht he Marantz 7C pre instead of the C220). I wouldn't be so torn and twisted about the comparison then

The only problem is that the 8B amp is so butt-ugly (those Marantz designers didn't do so well with that tube amp IMHO). Whereas the MC275 (or the MC240, or the mono amps) are real pretty tube amps (and I like to look at pretty stereo gear when I listen to it). So down this road I travel...

...and oh!, Murray. I'm not really taking this all that seriously except where better to defend the virtue of Marantz gear than on a McIntosh forum??? :yes:

Totally disagree, I like the look of both the Mac tube and Marantz 8 amps a lot. The Mac is solid and substantial in design and construction, the Marantz more elegant in its direct point-to-point layout and simpler circuit. I've worked on Macs and own the Marantz and think it an exemplary industrial design thing of elegant beauty.

 

[damacman]

9yo thread ...

 

[Pio1980]

So it is, hadn't noticed but it came back to life.
I remember drooling on the window of Broadway Music in SLC as a teen, looking at the gorgeous Mac and Marantz power amps. Never really got over them.