McIntosh 275 Tubed Mono Blocks...

[tonyc]

Well, I drove to my favorite Audio Store. Not the Magnolia Hi-Fi, I usually visit, but the "Audio Video Showroom", in Santa Rosa, California. Anyway, I was their to talk with them about the Anthem D1 and D2, which I did (Thank you Joe...) Well, to make a long story short, I asked them if they had any tubed mono-block amplifiers. They had a pair of Stereo / Mono McIntosh 275's (set-up in mono-block mode), they in turn were hooked-up to a McIntosh MCD201 SACD/CD Player, with leveler, no pre-amp. this player sent the signal directly to a pair of B&W 800D speakers. The manager put on a SACD of Cris Thile - "All Who Wander Are Not Lost" (track #7)... All I could say was "Oh my God!" What beautiful, rich, warm tones and clarity of sound image. It was so tight and crystal clear. Each high note and each bass note had depth and a smoothness, so mellow and alive with fullness. The Mandolin was vividly pure as was the horn notes. It was like these instruments were being played in a jazz club on Lincoln Blvd. in Calistoga. I was sooooo blown-away...

I was so moved, I actually started to tear up a bit. No, I'm not a drama queen... I was just trying to imagine what these beautiful sounds would sound like on my Ascent i's at home. This tube sound was so moving and as close to live music as I have ever heard. The sad thing is this store doesn't even carry Martin Logan speakers anymore. I guess they used to a year ago. The Manager got my attention, after I dried my eyes. He told me these mono-blocks did sound even better on ML's. I guess, he had heard this set-up with Ascent i's they used to carry in the store.

The McIntosh 275's cost $3,900.00 (USD) new from the store. The good thing is, I could use one McIntosh 275 in stereo mode, then later (when I had more funds), acquire another McIntosh 275 and use both as mono-blocks.

The McIntosh MCD201 left a wonderful musical impression on me as well. Being able to be played SACD / CD's without a pre-amp employing built-in leveler, as a more direct signal path really sounded fabulous. I think he said it was $3,400.00 (USD) new in the store. I kept thinking, I got to get me one of these.

Robin, you strike me as someone who is more into music than video. As I look at your equipment list I am struck by what great equipment you already have! I think the most cost effective thing for you right now would be a tubed preamp for two channel magic! Just my two cents worth.

 

[Robin]

A Tubed Pre Amp...

Robin, you strike me as someone who is more into music than video. As I look at your equipment list I am struck by what great equipment you already have! I think the most cost effective thing for you right now would be a tubed preamp for two channel magic! Just my two cents worth.

tonyc,

Yes, I agree. Your are right-on. And you are quite correct, I do love music... Friends have told me that I have a fabulous collection of jazz CD's & SACD's. I just wish I had all of my jazz CD's / SACD's on LP's...

I am saving-up for an excellent tubed pre-amp, either ARC LS-26 or Ref III, or maybe a Cary Tubed 05, or maybe a tubed BAT ~ any of these would be used of course. I was also thinking about purchasing a source (used) CD/SACD player for music only, like the Esoteric 01 or 03... Maybe a McIntosh 201 or a McIntosh CD/SACD player model which is newer / better, I am not sure yet but these are my latest audio leanings...

I just keep saving and working, working and saving...

 

[lugano]

Robin, go for it, you deserve it. After all the "porn" you gathered on the net and submitted us, you are allowed to swich from a passive to an active role

All jokes aside, with McIntosh you can't get too wrong, because they maintain their value. Buy today, sell in a year, you should not loose more than a 100 bucks, you might as well win some, it's almost like buying real estate. Of course you have to ante some, but it's not like buying aiwa and then trying to get rid of. Pictures of tubed intoshes at Robin's ? Priceless ! Can't wait looking at them !

 

[Pcar928fan]

I am saving-up for an excellent tubed pre-amp, either ARC LS-26 or Ref III, or maybe a Cary Tubed 05, or maybe a tubed BAT ~

Better save A LOT, isn't that Ref III like $10k! WOW! NICE Pre though! MAN oh man! Not sure I want to the hassel factor of tubes, but I would LOVE the sound of them!

Hey, I checked out the Halcro HT Pre that they sell last night...that bad boy has full on HDMI switching (it is still glitchy from reporst though) and a BUNCH of inputs, a built in scaler to 1080p for ANY input and costs a mere $10k too! YEOW! Maybe someday... Will wait for HDMI 1.3/1.4 and a black case vs. the silver / champagne color that is their standard and ONLY finish right now.

 

[Robin]

Joeyitis... For Robin...

lugano,

Thanks for the kind words. I am still considering everything really but I am torn..., mainly because I have not got out there auditioning more of the gear I am really interested in like ARC, Cary, BAT and Esoteric. I know what the McIntosh's sound like... wonderful, gorgeous...

James,

I am saving and saving... but I think by the time I am ready to actually purchase the ARC Ref II will be $5K - used, on Audiogon... Currently it's only $7K on Audiogon...

Halcro would be great but I'd have to audition them first... I would just love them in black as well... :cheers:

 

[Pcar928fan]

I am saving and saving... but I think by the time I am ready to actually purchase the ARC Ref II will be $5K - used, on Audiogon... Currently it's only $7K on Audiogon...

Halcro would be great but I'd have to audition them first... I would just love them in black as well... :cheers:

I hope one day I have the chance to audition an Halcro w/ some MBL amps! YEA BABY!

As for waiting for the right price and saving money too...I have been doing that waiting to add a Sony 70" RPTV to the set up here. I am getting close. Got a quote from one of the best TV stores in town last week for about $4722 or so for that TV...that is not low enough for me. With delivery and tax it rings in at $5222 which is about $1k more than I can get one shipped right to my door for... I am VERY LEERY of shipping something that big however and prefer to buy locally...

All the best everyone!

 

[Munster]

So you think the MC 275 holds its value? How about keeping it in good

shape and watch it soar, although i'm not sure of the original price on this

it had to be less than auction will conclude at:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=160075881163&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=006

 

[nsgarch]

I don't know about "soaring" but I'll say this: If you spend a little time with the new MC275 IV or V, you will be have to conclude that at $3900 msrp, it's the audio bargain of the decade -- AND it's a MCINTOSH to boot!!

 

[Robin]

Wow!

Check-out this current McIntosh MC275 situation on Audiogon :



http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstube&1173010099



Great introductory price $6K...., sure this MC275 has had some tube rolling and modifications but this amp has definately gone up in value.

 

[nsgarch]

"but this amp has definitely gone up in value."

Only in the mind of this seller!! Neither one of his amps are as good as the new MC275 MkIV or now the MKV. And the tubes are hype! The new stock Russian McIntosh tubes are better than ever. You should read Steve Hoffman's and Ron Cornelius' posts on Audiokarma. (Ron is the Mcintosh Product Manager.) Buyer beware!!

 

[Robin]

Russian Tubes...

"but this amp has definitely gone up in value."

Only in the mind of this seller!! Neither one of his amps are as good as the new MC275 MkIV or now the MKV. And the tubes are hype! The new stock Russian McIntosh tubes are better than ever. You should read Steve Hoffman's and Ron Cornelius' posts on Audiokarma. (Ron is the Mcintosh Product Manager.) Buyer beware!!

Neil,

:cheers: Excellent! posts...

Thank you....

 

[Robin]

I Need Help...

Could a Marantz SA-7S1 CD/SACD player connected directly with a McIntosh MC275 Mk IV, technically work, without a peramp? If I ran unbalanced cables connecting the two together?
I was reading the owners manuals for both of these pieces of electronics. I found that the Marantz SA-7S1 produces 2.5 V RMS for unbalanced output. While the McIntosh MC275 Mk IV's unbalanced input sensitivity is rated at 1.2 V RMS.

The McIntosh MC275 Mk IV has volume controls for unbalanced only. The volume level adjustment controls knobs are located on the amplifier, for both stereo and mono for unbalanced only adjustments. This means that I could use unbalanced, short run, low resistance high quality cable (1 meter cable) directly from the Marantz SA-7S1 to the McIntosh MC275 Mk IV and control the volume from the amplifier, correct?

I think this could work.... What do you guys think? Could this combination work without a preamp?

 

[aliveatfive]

Could a Marantz SA-7S1 CD/SACD player connected directly with a McIntosh MC275 Mk IV, technically work, without a peramp? If I ran unbalanced cables connecting the two together?
I was reading the owners manuals for both of these pieces of electronics. I found that the Marantz SA-7S1 produces 2.5 V RMS for unbalanced output. While the McIntosh MC275 Mk IV's unbalanced input sensitivity is rated at 1.2 V RMS.

The McIntosh MC275 Mk IV has volume controls for unbalanced only. The volume level adjustment controls knobs are located on the amplifier, for both stereo and mono for unbalanced only adjustments. This means that I could use unbalanced, short run, low resistance high quality cable (1 meter cable) directly from the Marantz SA-7S1 to the McIntosh MC275 Mk IV and control the volume from the amplifier, correct?

I think this could work.... What do you guys think? Could this combination work without a preamp?

Robin -

It would definitely work. But what a pain in the butt swapping cables every time you wanted to change the source!

 

[Robin]

Wonderful...

Robin -

It would definitely work. But what a pain in the butt swapping cables every time you wanted to change the source!

aliveatfive,

That is great news... Thank you!

I know and agree - It will be a painful but it would be temporary pain, only until I had saved-up for a, ARC ~ Ref III or ARC ~ LS-26 or a Cary SLP-05, depending on which one I choose during the auditioning phase on down the road...

:cheers: Thanks again...

 

[Tube60]

I've listened to both vintage and new-build MC-275s, and, IMOPO, the Citation II is a better sounding amp. Problem is, you'll need to run them through a pre-amp of some sort, passive or active, because the CII has no input level controls. If you're interested, get yourself a pair of CIIs and get them rebuilt properly ( see Jim Mcshane's Website ) and then bridge them into mono. IMO you'll be surprised...... just my .o2!

 

[Robin]

Tubed Power Amplifiers...

Tube60,

I posted a photo of the Citation II in the "Tubed Amps" thread. Thanks for the recommendation as well.

Neil,

Thanks again for the recommendation of "AudioKarma" forum for McIntosh information:



http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=54



I have been reading a wealth of really wonderful / useful information regarding the McIntosh MC275, including your old posts regarding various topics. It seems you are quite knowlegdable and informed about your MC275.
For instance, I had no idea McIntosh was using lead-free solder for their circuit connections for the newest version of the MC275 Mk V, just so that McIntosh can sell them in Europe.

Thanks again. :cheers:

 

[benleeys]

....... I'm torn though, I want so many things form my system right now... An Anthem D1 (D2), a Blue-Ray player, a new source - SACD / CD player (like the MCD201) or Tubed mono-blocks.... It's hard to decide what I to save-up and actually purchase first, second, third etc. Can you or anyone out there, give me counsel in this area?

Sleepless in Calistoga...

Robin,

What is it that you like so much about the Anthem D1/D2 ... or dislike? I am trying to make up my mind about it. Would very much appreciate your honest thoughts.

 

[Robin]

Anthem D1 / D2...

Robin,

What is it that you like so much about the Anthem D1/D2 ... or dislike? I am trying to make up my mind about it. Would very much appreciate your honest thoughts.

benleeys,

As you know, I do not currently own the Anthem D1 or D2 processor. I do appreicate how it is built. These are the things I like about the the Anthem D1 and D2:

1). The Anthem company stands behind their product, as well as the ML company.

2). The Anthem offers up-grades of older processors to the newer model i. e., D2 up-grade to D3...

3). I have auditioned the Anthem D1 with the Anthem P5 and they sound excellent together. Since I currently own the P5, it would be an excellent match.

4). The porcessor just is wonderful with HT and reproducing the sounds / dynamics the film maker intended. Amazing sound to my ears.

5). Quality matterials, electronic design and craftsmanship. An excellent piece of high-end HT gear.

Joe or Zippy ~ currently owns the D1. He has excellent prespective and insights on the D1 and D2.

HTH :cheers:

 

[benleeys]

benleeys,

As you know, I do not currently own the Anthem D1 or D2 processor. I do appreicate how it is built. These are the things I like about the the Anthem D1 and D2:

1). The Anthem company stands behind their product, as well as the ML company.

2). The Anthem offers up-grades of older processors to the newer model i. e., D2 up-grade to D3...

3). I have auditioned the Anthem D1 with the Anthem P5 and they sound excellent together. Since I currently own the P5, it would be an excellent match.

4). The porcessor just is wonderful with HT and reproducing the sounds / dynamics the film maker intended. Amazing sound to my ears.

5). Quality matterials, electronic design and craftsmanship. An excellent piece of high-end HT gear.

Joe or Zippy ~ currently owns the D1. He has excellent prespective and insights on the D1 and D2.

HTH :cheers:

Many thanks for your comments, Robin. It's good to know that an item in one's system never become obsolete too soon, especially with some notable manufacturers coming out with a new 'reference' every 6-12 months these days.

Basically, I'm looking for something that will serve as a high-end preamp for 2-channel audio as well as HT processor without compromising too much as against a good dedicated preamp.

If you are reading this, Joe, I would also be grateful for your experience with this piece of equipment.