There is an used MA2275 on offer. I am tempted to go for it and use it instead of the MA6900.

Can it drive my Sonus Faber Cremonas (floor-standing, older version) with its 2x75 watts?

Why are there only so few 2275s?

Has someone decided between the 6900 and the 2275? How and why?

(I do not have the option to A/B them)

Grateful for your thoughts ...

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McIntosh MCD301, C220 (GL tubes), MC252 Straight Wire Crescendo II Kondo KSL-SPz Sonus Faber Cremona

Record108.......Why do you want to go from 200 watts per channel with the MA6900 to 75 watts per channel with the MA2275? Is it that you want to go to tubes from solid state?

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Dan


Living Room System: McIntosh C2300, MC601 (2), MCD1100, MS750, MR85, Sony DAT 60ES, Nakamichi BX-300, Micro Seiki DD-40, Ortofon 2M Black, Sonos ZP90, Oppo BDP-83SE Blu-ray, PMC EB1i, Fathom f113 w/ Sound Anchor stand, Power Plant Premier (2), PS Audio Soloist Premier SE (3), Rollerblock Jr.'s, Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's & PC's, Kimber 8TC with WBT Solid Silver Angled Locking Banana Connectors.
Studio System: McIntosh C1000C/P, MC2301 (2), MCD1100, MR88, Michell Gyro SE w/SME 309/Ortofon Cadenza Black, Sonos ZP90, PS Audio Power Plant Premier, PS Audio Soloist Premier SE, Sonus Faber Amati Anniversario, Rollerblock Jr.'s, Wireword Silver Eclipse IC's & PC's, Wireworld Silver Eclipse speaker cable.
Studio Home Theater System: McIntosh MX120, MC452, Oppo BDP-95 Blu-ray, PS Audio Soloist Premier SE, JBL LSR-6332 (2), JBL LSR-6328P (3), McIntosh XLS112 (2), Sony 52XBR9, Tributaries Silver IC's, Wireworld PC's.
Vintage: McIntosh MA5100, MR74 tuner, JVC XL-Z1050 K2 CD player, Wyred 4 Sound DAC2, Tandberg 3008A and 3026A, JBL4312A , McIntosh 4300V for deck speakers.

Dan,

Yes. I have never owned a tube amp and I would like to try it. But 75 watts are not too much. I guess they are not enough for the Cremonas.

Thomas

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McIntosh MCD301, C220 (GL tubes), MC252 Straight Wire Crescendo II Kondo KSL-SPz Sonus Faber Cremona

Record108.......I am not saying that 75 watts per channel is not enough for the Cremona's. I ran a single MC275 amp on SF Cremona Auditor's and was quite satisfied. I don't know how efficient the older SF Cremona's are compared to the Auditors, so it is hard for me to speak with any authority about how loud they will play with 75 watts on each channel. Since your MA6900 has meters, pay attention to the peak levels while you listen to the Cremona's at a volume level you find satisfying. If the peak output at that level is typically under 75 watt peaks, then I believe you will be happy with the MA2275. I would also listen to the Cremona's with the MA6900 at a level that is likely to be the loudest you would ever want to hear them, and see what the meters show for peak output. These two experiments will give you a reference point for the power you will need from any new amp driving the SF Cremona's.

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Dan


Living Room System: McIntosh C2300, MC601 (2), MCD1100, MS750, MR85, Sony DAT 60ES, Nakamichi BX-300, Micro Seiki DD-40, Ortofon 2M Black, Sonos ZP90, Oppo BDP-83SE Blu-ray, PMC EB1i, Fathom f113 w/ Sound Anchor stand, Power Plant Premier (2), PS Audio Soloist Premier SE (3), Rollerblock Jr.'s, Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's & PC's, Kimber 8TC with WBT Solid Silver Angled Locking Banana Connectors.
Studio System: McIntosh C1000C/P, MC2301 (2), MCD1100, MR88, Michell Gyro SE w/SME 309/Ortofon Cadenza Black, Sonos ZP90, PS Audio Power Plant Premier, PS Audio Soloist Premier SE, Sonus Faber Amati Anniversario, Rollerblock Jr.'s, Wireword Silver Eclipse IC's & PC's, Wireworld Silver Eclipse speaker cable.
Studio Home Theater System: McIntosh MX120, MC452, Oppo BDP-95 Blu-ray, PS Audio Soloist Premier SE, JBL LSR-6332 (2), JBL LSR-6328P (3), McIntosh XLS112 (2), Sony 52XBR9, Tributaries Silver IC's, Wireworld PC's.
Vintage: McIntosh MA5100, MR74 tuner, JVC XL-Z1050 K2 CD player, Wyred 4 Sound DAC2, Tandberg 3008A and 3026A, JBL4312A , McIntosh 4300V for deck speakers.

As the fomer owner of both the MA6900 and MA2275 it is my opinion that you would be much better off spending the additional $$ it would take to get a separate pre, like an MC712 if on a budget, and MC275. I had an MA6850 and when a meter went bad I simply traded it for an MA6900. Big step down in sound to my ears. After six months it was gone. Then, after owning the MC275MkV I decided I wanted to downsize so picked up an MA2275. Again, big stepdown in sound. I have to admit that FG at AC warned me I would not be happy making this change, and I should have listened to him. Then I tried an MC2102. Same thing. Not up to the MC275MkV on the sonic end of things. If you want tubes, get the best McIntosh has to offer in the MC275MkV. Offers the purest sound at a reasonable price. That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it.

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McIntosh MX114, MC50 monoblocs, MC2105, MR80, MVP861 Klipsch Heresy III, Micro Seiki DDX-1000 w/SME 309 w/AT33R, DL303 & Kontrapunkt b; Jelco SA-750DB w/AT150MXL & V15VxMR Musical Surroundings Nova Sony SS-M3, ST-J88B & ST-J75 Yamaha CT-7000, T-85, TX-1000 Kimber SilverStreak Wasatch Ultima

I own a MA2275 in a bedroom system 20x20 and it works for for my listening levels plus good with headphones.
Room size and listening level should dictate your choice. The MA2275 sounds amazing in the right size area. I drove my 600 watt McIntosh speakers for a while with no problems at moderate to semi loud db levels.
I think RonC said they push 90 watts on the bench.

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McIntosh 501's, Sonus Faber Elipsa speakers,McIntosh LS 360's Full Surround Speakers in Home Theater. (2) MR85, MCD201, C46 Pre, (2) JL F113 Fathom Subs, (1) JL F112, MA2275 Int Amp, Sonus Faber Cremona Auditor Speakers, Project Turntable. Blackbird Cart, Clearaudio Concept table, MC, Oppo 95 120 inch screen and an Epson 1080UB Projector. Nothing better then Pipes/Cigars, and a Great movie with the JL subs Pounding. MAC1700 Receiver and ML-1C speakers

I am using the SF Cremona floor standing speakers with the MC501 . The Speakers are efficient and you will be able to play them with 75 watts however you will not hear the bass these speakers are capable of making . I had the MC252 before the 501's and the improvement in bass was more than subtle. If you go with the tube amp., get yourself a sub.

Solid advice!

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McIntosh 501's, Sonus Faber Elipsa speakers,McIntosh LS 360's Full Surround Speakers in Home Theater. (2) MR85, MCD201, C46 Pre, (2) JL F113 Fathom Subs, (1) JL F112, MA2275 Int Amp, Sonus Faber Cremona Auditor Speakers, Project Turntable. Blackbird Cart, Clearaudio Concept table, MC, Oppo 95 120 inch screen and an Epson 1080UB Projector. Nothing better then Pipes/Cigars, and a Great movie with the JL subs Pounding. MAC1700 Receiver and ML-1C speakers

Don’t let yourself be prejudiced by the folks at AC. They are fantastic (I got my main system there) but they have a real bias towards the mc275. Trust your own ears. Having said that, it will be difficult to drive the Cremona to its full potential with an ma2275. The MA2275 does work well with the auditors in a mid sized room

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MA2275, MR71, Harbeth P3ESR, Esoteric DV50s, J.A. Michell Orbe, SME 309, Ortofon 2M Black

Hello,

I am interested in the MA2275 and I was wondering if this amp is powerful enough to drive my B&W CM9 Speakers? My equipment is in a room with 19 foot ceilings and flows into other rooms. I do not have enough room for separates.

The main source is going to be listening to my turntable through my Audio Research PH5 pre amp.

Here are the specs on the speakers;

Sensitivity 89Db (2.83 v, 1m)
Rec Amp Power 30w to 2008
Normal impedance 8 ohm

Thanks,
Joe