Opinions Please
 

I am running a c2500 preamp with a MC152 solid state amp at present. I am thinking about getting a MC275 (MK5) amp to replace the MC152. My speakers (GE Triton Reference) have an 1800 watt subwoofer amp in each speaker to drive the 3 woofers. The tube amp should be ok to drive what amounts to 2 six inch midranges and the AMT tweeter on each channel. On very loud passages with the MC152, the meters are only reading about 40 watts. I would assume that 75 tube watts should be fine.

Do you think it's worthwhile for me to go to the tube amp?
Forward or sideway move?
I want a little richer tube sound and believe this will make it possible. What do you think?

I don't personally see that as much of an upgrade. A pair of 75s ... Now that's a different story.

An MC275 is the equivalent of (2) MC75 amps. I don't have any space for mono blocks so it has to be a stereo amp. What would be the difference between the two?

MC75 is now discontinued.

The MC275 is the better choice since it can run in both stereo and mono mode. Also you get a bonus 30+ years of history so probably hold its value better.

Bob.......I think running an MC275 on the midrange and top end will produce excellent results. My only suggestion is to consider the MC275 Mk6. It incorporates the McIntosh Sentry Monitor circuit to protect the amplifier against power tube malfunctions by immediately shutting off the amplifier should an issue turn up. The MC275 Mk5 is a great amp but in my opinion the inclusion of the Sentry Monitor in the newer amplifier is worth its weight in gold.

The ONE transformer on the 275 is the same on EACH of the 75's. Having heard both back to back I can say the difference is rather substantial. That's coming from a value oriented, diminishing returns kind of guy.

True, two MC 75's take more space than a single MC 275 but maybe not as much as you might think. See Photo. The 275 is on a 12" x 18" board and the 75's are on a 19" x 25" board. Actual space taken up by the 75's as placed is 14/15" deep by 20" wide.

Dan's suggestion of keeping the solid state amp for the woofers and an MC 275 for mid highs is very much worth consideration as well.

At 115 dB S/N, the MC152 is a solid 10 dB quieter than the MC275 Mk VI which is not insignificant. It's twice as powerful with 2 dB headroom while the MC275 has headroom of 1.2 dB.

My opinion - keep the better performing and more reliable MC152.

^^This.

I will have to agree with caddy and freddie.

If you really want a new amp I would consider something along the lines of an mc452. If possible, demo the mc275 if you are really wanting it. It can never be said enough that hearing amps is the single most important part of the whole process.

I agree. Yes, the MC275 or a pair of MC75's would sound "different" than your MC152, but I'm not sure I'd characterize as sounding "better".

I've enjoyed an MC225, MC275, MAC6700 and my current MC452 and the latter (IMO) is the best. Like the tube amps, you can listen for hours on end without fatigue. But the MC452 just never seems to be struggling (granted, when I'm really "cranking it", the needles dance around the 4.5 watt mark). But there's something about that MC452 sound, it's "fast" but at the same time it's "warm" sounding.

The MC452 just might be my last power amp!