McIntosh MC275 still one of the best?

[Analog21]

The McIntosh MC275 has rightfully been heralded as one of the top ten iconic and revolutionary amps ever produced. Wondering if their current iteration (version VI) still stacks up with current amps, both mainstream and boutique companies... Is it so popular due to its "cool factor" and iconic status or is it truly top notch compared to others at or above its price point? I will hope to demo one soon, but wanted to get some opinions. Many consider McIntosh so popular because of its "brand," but wondering how the MC275 is viewed in the audiophile community on this forum....

[JCOConnell]

What does the latest version sell for new now?

[Analog21]

Can you ask your buddy which Cary model he owns? Curious if it is the CAD 120 S.

[JCOConnell]

My friend is an authorized dealer of cary and VAS. His name is Ozwaldo Martinez and his email is [email protected]. The amp is the Cary Audio CAD-120S Mk.II At slightly lower power he also sells the excellent monoblocks VAS Citation 2 for less money for the pair. I think he said
he can get these for you new or used. Ive known and dealt with him for years and he knows audio and is trustworthy.

[Analog21]

Thanks! I know Oz and is always a great dealer. I was planning on contacting regardless.

[Analog21]

What does the latest version sell for new now?

$5500 for the latest version.

[JCOConnell]

well, if its a very high quality amp, the price is reasonable.

[Analog21]

While there seems to be some improvements from generation to generation, it seems the current model is more similar to the earlier generations than different, which is why I wonder how it competes with modern-day amps on the audiophile market (I guess competing with Amps under $10k - such as EAR, VAC, Primaluna, PASS, Audio Note, Conrad Johnson, etc)

[Analog21]

There are a bunch in that class of under $10k. Yes, PASS is SS but didn't want to limit my list to tubes per se. Though I will only get a tube amp most likely when all is said and done.

[Analog21]

The Cary Audio CAD 120 amp is another that has peaked my interest - thanks for the recommendation JCOConnell.

[JCOConnell]

A friend of mine has a Cary stereo tube amp, don't recall the model, but its recent, that sounds incredible.

[Bill Hart]

I would be interested in a comparison between the latest iteration and one of the early ones, both in terms of sound and build quality.
When I was visiting with an old school tech guy here in Austin a couple weeks ago, he couldn't say enough about the build quality of the old stuff--and this guy was mainly focused on gear that was gigged, heavily used and schlepped around for sound reinforcement. His standards are different than "audiophile" standards, but in the era that company came into business, they employed standards, he claimed, that were consistent with military grade hardware.

[mep]

I would be interested in a comparison between the latest iteration and one of the early ones, both in terms of sound and build quality.
When I was visiting with an old school tech guy here in Austin a couple weeks ago, he couldn't say enough about the build quality of the old stuff--and this guy was mainly focused on gear that was gigged, heavily used and schlepped around for sound reinforcement. His standards are different than "audiophile" standards, but in the era that company came into business, they employed standards, he claimed, that were consistent with military grade hardware.

So did much of the gear from way back in the day Bill. Look at Leak, your QUAD II amps, early Marantz, early Fisher gear. A lot of these people from the audio companies had ties to the military from their service. They all knew what expert craftsmanship was involved in building gear to mil-specs.

[kcin]

I am not sure that the McIntosh 275 bears much resemblance to it's predecessor. The new machine is all PCB construction and if you youtube it.. you should be able to see a "how it is made video" on the construction of this machine. Pay special attention to how the speaker binding posts are attached for example.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HgS6gvokEI


I think we should thank McIntosh for still producing the product.. but I believe there is a reason why good examples of the originals are more expensive than the current production outside of scarcity. Even so, at $5500 the current MC275 is a bargain I would think .

The cost of labour and loss of knowledge with engineers like Sid Smith and Peter Walker long gone will mean that with few exceptions we won't get the attention to detail had in days of yore.

Parts quality has definitely improved.

The nice tight p-p construction and wiring harness techniques of my Marantz 8b, Futterman and Quad II are good memories though.

[mkuller]

What speakers are you driving with the amp? A friend uses an MC275 with his Thiel 2.4s and loves the combination. There are lots of reviews you can read:

https://www.google.com/search?site=&...29%2Cnso-qnt-n

[Analog21]

don't have a system at the moment... had to sell off a bunch of stuff for medical bills. Looking ahead as I build up my system piece by piece. Will hope to demo some speakers in the near future: Harbeth, Audio Note, Tannoy, etc.

[mkuller]

My advice would be to find speakers you really like first, then match an amp to them, after trying a few.

[Bill Hart]

I am not sure that the McIntosh 275 bears much resemblance to it's predecessor. The new machine is all PCB construction and if you youtube it.. you should be able to see a "how it is made video" on the construction of this machine. Pay special attention to how the speaker binding posts are attached for example.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HgS6gvokEI


I think we should thank McIntosh for still producing the product.. but I believe there is a reason why good examples of the originals are more expensive than the current production outside of scarcity. Even so, at $5500 the current MC275 is a bargain I would think .

The cost of labour and loss of knowledge with engineers like Sid Smith and Peter Walker long gone will mean that with few exceptions we won't get the attention to detail had in days of yore.

Parts quality has definitely improved.

The nice tight p-p construction and wiring harness techniques of my Marantz 8b, Futterman and Quad II are good memories though.

That 8b is pure sex. (for us geeks).
My McI MX110z is a total rat's nest- so much stuff crammed onto one chassis.

[kcin]

Call me a geek then...

[Audioraven]

Stereophile liked the current version of the MC275 enough to give it a Class A rating in Recommended Components. I've read a few other glowing reviews as well. So, yes, it can still be considered one of the best.

[Alex Siufy]

It's still the best McIntosh amp I've ever heard. I had one, and bought a 2nd one to use as mono, but unfortunately, it didn't work that well when bridged. Lost a lot of the magic.

But still, it's more like a 90W amp, so pretty beefy there.

[Analog21]

Great help! I had the Primaluna, so at least I have a good reference. I think I'm going to want to put more money in the preamp than sink everything into the amp. The MC275 seems like a possible step up but not crazy money. Thanks Alex.

[kcin]

If you can, try to audition a Audio Research REF75 same power but far more resolving IMO.. You can probably find good used examples at the level of of the Mc pricing.

[Analog21]

thanks for the advice on the Audio Research. Will look into it. This will definitely be a process.

[mep]

I also don't believe that the current production MC275 amps have output transformers of the same quality as the originals. They are not wound the same way if memory serves me correctly. On the other hand, they do have better quality caps and resistors than the original and include balanced inputs.

[Alex Siufy]

I didn't want to recommend the ARC REF 75, as it's almost twice the money... But if you can make it, it's definitely a great purchase!

[Rob]

I had an ARC REF 110, the circuit topology is very similar to the REF 75 and it was very good sounding but not what I would call a 'classic' tube sound, it was more SS (in a good way). the other thing is that its balanced only and a non-starter if you want to integrate a REF series amp with single ended preamp.

[mep]

Probably not the new one.

[Analog21]

mep,

can you name some current model tube amps that aren't SET amps that have the classic tube sound?

[kcin]

A used REF 5SE and REF 75 would be a nice combo.

[McD275]

These Oldies are still good enough for me. I had no chance to listen to the newly build MC275's but to compare them is of no use to me. One time in your life you have to settle down with what you have and luckily I reached my Audionirvana.



Reg. C22CE: Changed for the line part from the Siemens ECC 801S to the Brimar 6060 and WOW, this was it! Phono runs with Philips E83CC SQ. What an increase of fine details to the before used Sovtek 12AX7LPS.




Reg. MC275CE: Finally I switched from the build-in (at the time I purchased the Amp) Siemens ECC801 S to the Westinghouse 12AZ7A and the Performance increased directly.


Main Amp drives a high sensitivity loudspeakers by the 8ohm output, this means nearly no load at all to the MC and it performs really quick with full details allover the range.

[Ossidian]

Stunning examples of High Fidelity, you have great taste!