I recently bought 3 units in mint cosmetic condition 10/10 and in fully functional condition. These are the c33, mc2255, and the mr80 tuner. Can someone give me some information on these units? I've read a little about the c33 and how it's a great pre but there's barely anything on mc2255s. I paid $3,500 for all 3 units. Is this a fair price? I might sell the tuner down the line to buy an older model mcintosh but the other two are keepers. How much would the mr80 be worth? I would appreciate any input. Thanks
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damacman
Resident Psycho
You sir have done well. Those three pieces in particular are recognized as the finest in their class of McIntosh's offering at that time. You'd be wise to keep the MR80 as many consider it to be the finest McIntosh tuner ever offered.
MC2255s typically all need new faceplates as the lettering under the meters detaches from the glass as they age. It was the last of the chrome chassis McIntosh amps for a while. It's bigger brother, the MC2500 was double the power but far more MC2255s were used in domestic settings. The 7 segment LED and countdown was exclusive to the MC2250, MC2255, MC2150, and MC2155 - so that adds a bit of cool factor.
All units could benefit from some time on the bench to ensure they meet spec simply due to their age. Other than that, enjoy them.
MC2255s typically all need new faceplates as the lettering under the meters detaches from the glass as they age. It was the last of the chrome chassis McIntosh amps for a while. It's bigger brother, the MC2500 was double the power but far more MC2255s were used in domestic settings. The 7 segment LED and countdown was exclusive to the MC2250, MC2255, MC2150, and MC2155 - so that adds a bit of cool factor.
All units could benefit from some time on the bench to ensure they meet spec simply due to their age. Other than that, enjoy them.
Congrats and yes you got yourself a very good deal. I bought those exact same 3 pieces last winter in one deal to. I like all 3 of them very much. The 2255 is an excellent sounding amp and was supposed to be a rotation amp for me. It hasn't come out of service since I hooked it up last winter. It's definitely the nicest sounding 250 wpc amp that I've ever owned. The C33 has an outstanding phono section and just plain does everything right. The MR80 is a superb sounding tuner and mine retired my recapped Sansui TU9900. Why would want to part with the MR80? I had an MR78 and the 80 imo is indeed the superior tuner.
What speakers might you be running with this new rig of yours?
What speakers might you be running with this new rig of yours?
I'm simply not a fan of digital tuners but if it's that good I might hold on to it and see for myself. I plan on using these with a pair of ar3s actually since I don't have another amplifier powerful enough to run them. I'll also try them hooked up to my ads l810s which are with my c28/mc2505 combo right now. I'm also planning on buying a pair of altec model 14s. I heard they work better with tube gear but it's also worth a try hooking them up.
I know what you mean about digital tuners. But the 80 isn't like any digital tuner I've ever owned. If you listen to fm at all you owe it to yourself to give it a chance........ you just may change your mind. Anything my MR78 could do my MR80 does better and most especially the sound is better. I'm not familiar with the AR3's but I do know that the L810-MC2255 is an excellent sounding combo. That's what I paired my 2255 with until a pair of 1530's came along. I'm also betting the Altec 14's will sound wonderful with the 2255.
Agreed with the others - the purchase price was very reasonable in the condition stated.
I also share in the opinion that the MR80 a superior performer to the MR78 although the 80 is a much more complicated animal and will likely need to be tended for optimum performance. Further complexity comes from the front panel touch buttons. Once properly serviced however, the MR80 is a very fine tuner indeed.
One clarification - the MR80 is an analog tuner with a digital display. It is not a digital tuner in the true sense.
Personally, I would recommend powering the Altec 14 with the MC2505. At 94 dB at 4 feet, the 70 wpc capability of the 2505 is all you will ever need with those speakers. Also, the 14 has protective circuitry built into the crossover network which limits maximum input to 65 watts therefore any additional power would be wasted.
Congratulations on your purchase. You would be hard pressed to find a significantly better performing combination of electronics regardless of price.
I also share in the opinion that the MR80 a superior performer to the MR78 although the 80 is a much more complicated animal and will likely need to be tended for optimum performance. Further complexity comes from the front panel touch buttons. Once properly serviced however, the MR80 is a very fine tuner indeed.
One clarification - the MR80 is an analog tuner with a digital display. It is not a digital tuner in the true sense.
Personally, I would recommend powering the Altec 14 with the MC2505. At 94 dB at 4 feet, the 70 wpc capability of the 2505 is all you will ever need with those speakers. Also, the 14 has protective circuitry built into the crossover network which limits maximum input to 65 watts therefore any additional power would be wasted.
Congratulations on your purchase. You would be hard pressed to find a significantly better performing combination of electronics regardless of price.
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twiiii
Lunatic Member
MR-80's are known for their preset buttons being intermittent. I had mine repaired at Audio Classics almost 5 years ago and still is performing better than I can ever remember, certainly better than my 78. I have a C-34 which has a few upgrades over the 33. Both are tremendous pieces. Though I find the preamps today to be just a bit more defined in the HF's. I will say they are good enough to easily critque the differences between my 5 Mac, Marantz, Pioneer, combo and CD, DVD players. The Mac wins hands down. The 2255 is a classic. I had over 75 of them in discos and over 50 of the simpler 2250 without meters in commercial installations. They have a sweet well defined high end and with critically damped speakers can really move some air. They drove double 15 inch loaded horn woofers all day without complaint, midrange horns, and HF frequency tweeters in tri-amped systems superbly. I like them particularly with Altec systems . But they worked well keeping JBL ring radiators in check. Their smaller cousins the 2150's worked very well with Klipsch speakers and their big brothers the MC2500 drove 18" Altec EV, JBL and Cerwin Vega woofers fabulously. Mac Xr7 and XRT 20 and 22 sounded great. They were so much smoother than 2300's which could be edgy when nearing the edge of the envelope. The 2255 always was graceful and very enjoyable at all levels when driving very efficent speakers or in efficent panel speakers.