The Crow called McIntosh I’m about to eat - MC 2105

[jobrewer1983]

Well….

How to start…

So I’ve never been a big fan of McIntosh gear, stay with me… I have had one of the 6100s and have listened to a few different set up’s in my area. I never thought they were any better then other vintage gear… yea all that has changed.

I was able to get my hands on a fully restored and modded 2105 from a fellow AKer. I’m blown away, the SQ is just amazing.



This is the 1st McIntosh power amp I’ve owned and I feel like it’s one the best sounding power amps I’ve ever listened to. It’s making my ADS L-420s just come alive. I can’t say I love the size of the beast as it’s going to be hard to get into the shelf but the SQ is just to amazing to not remove my current set up for this. I’ll try to get some pic of the inside in a day or so. I didn’t want to like this amp, now I love it. I’m going to get a few good days on it and do a proper review and give the back story. So far I’m eating my words and and actually loving this thing!

 

[Andre Garcia]

Welcome to the family, sir!!
Happened the same to me but with a preamp.
This system plus your restored TT will be a blast. Now start looking for a preamp, most the time the story doesn't finish with just one amp.
Cheers from Fla!
AG.

 

[sberger]

Welcome to the addiction!

Even with my room full of Mc vintage tube amps, plus a MC2120 sitting collecting dust I wish I hadn’t sold my 2105. It’s a great amp in every way.

Enjoy!

 

[damacman]

Great story. I often wonder how many have listened to an all original (non-restored) 50yo unit briefly, formed an opinion, and moved on - McIntosh isn't all that.

A properly restored MC2105 which meets spec is quite an amplifier, by any measure. Looking back through Mc's lineups over the years, it's an iconic model.

Yours looks to be a very clean example. It's a keeper for sure. I have two of its big brother - sold my 2105 a few years ago and like sberger ... continue to wonder why ...

 

[Pio1980]

Afaik, Mac's first SS power amp, and the first with a front panel with meters and a wood case option.
Also, the beginning of the end of necessity for routine maintainance via the D O 'B Clinics road show, they almost never needed anything.

 

[damacman]

Afaik, Mac's first SS power amp, and the first with a front panel with meters and a wood case option.
Also, the beginning of the end of necessity for routine maintainance via the D O 'B Clinics road show, they almost never needed anything.

MC2505 was first, the smaller brother.

 

[jobrewer1983]

Welcome to the family, sir!!
Happened the same to me but with a preamp.
This system plus your restored TT will be a blast. Now start looking for a preamp, most the time the story doesn't finish with just one amp.
Cheers from Fla!
AG.

ANDRE!!! Bro!!! I was mounting your shims today!!!



I can’t tell you how much I love them, I’ve outfitted all my carts with them. I know @Ilikevinyl has used them with success too. Amazing product man!

 

[Andre Garcia]

ANDRE!!! Bro!!! I was mounting your shims today!!!

View attachment 2638343 View attachment 2638344

I can’t tell you how much I love them, I’ve outfitted all my carts with them. I know @Ilikevinyl has used them with success too. Amazing product man!

Looks like you are having a blast there!!
Glad you like them. A video will be cool to hear you new baby!!
AG!!

 

[jobrewer1983]

Looks like you are having a blast there!!
Glad you like them. A video will be cool to hear you new baby!!
AG!!

I owe you a video! Let me get it set up and I’ll do a video this evening.

 

[Andre Garcia]

I owe you a video! Let me get it set up and I’ll do a video this evening.

Talking about video, I use silver video cable “tributaries” for my TT connection. So far the best IMO.
AG.

 

[onwardjames]

That's one lovely amplifier, and if sberger and damacman say it is solid, it is solid. Enjoy!!

 

[Andre Garcia]

Afaik, Mac's first SS power amp, and the first with a front panel with meters and a wood case option.
Also, the beginning of the end of necessity for routine maintainance via the D O 'B Clinics road show, they almost never needed anything.

Pio, that was the 2505.
AG.

 

[jobrewer1983]

Been at it all day, about to dig out some JBLs for this amp and put the ads away. Soon very soon

 

[Pio1980]

MC2505 was first, the smaller brother.

Right, 2105 was MC2100 with panel and meters, MC2505 was MC250 with same treatment.
Should have remembered that.

 

[jobrewer1983]

That's one lovely amplifier, and if sberger and damacman say it is solid, it is solid. Enjoy!!

Oh man good to see ya on @onwardjames !! It’s been a while man! Hope you are doing well!

 

[jobrewer1983]

All day, it took all day to get everything set up, but I’m playing music now and wow; just wow. Hands down, without fail, by far the best amp I’ve ever owned. This thing was made for JBL, running it with some 4301b with full Jantzen superior caps and AudioCap theta bypass caps and Jantzen exact value 14awg shunts. A few tricks picked up from the late Zilch @Zilch RIP.

this amp is amazing, I let go of some good gear today for this, but I feel I got a great deal. I’ll call out the member who did the work on this unit when I do my review. This thing has some cool stuff in it, I need to buy some feet for it so I can run it outside the box. This amp is nothing short of amazing. I was so wrong, I will never say a bad word about Macintosh again. I get it, I totally get it now. It’s that grunt and warmth but clarity like no other. I can’t stop looking at it too lol

 

[jobrewer1983]

Amazing, I truly feel blessed.

 

[damacman]

Quite a nice setup you've got there. Mc did make progress in SS amps over the years but the MC2105 still shines even today. Glad it found ya'!

 

[62caddy]

Acc to Berners, manufacture of the MC2505 began January 1967 while the MC2105 appeared November 1967.

 

[Johnny_Law]

Congrats! Looks great. What lights does your 2105 have for the meters? They look nice and strong in the pics.