Your favorite Mac amplifiers?

[Yamaki]

MC501 for me.

Why? They match up well with my speakers.

More on the subject and my selection here:

MC501 Club

and here:

MC501 Review

[jayvis1]

I'll put in another vote for the MC252. Its physical size and design is unique and convenient compared to other McIntosh autoformer amps, and I will never need more than 250 watts per channel. Its overall performance is stellar.

[BuffaloBill]

Originally Posted by JWJW

mc312 - Incredible sounding amp. A true sleeper in the Mc line
Or
mc275vi

The MC312 is a pinnacle of McIntosh solid state engineering that is financially accessible and built for a lifetime of music enjoyment. The MC2102 designed by Sidney Corderman is a blend of tube excellence and iconic looks.

[jdcarlson]

Just about any older tube amp. I have "drooled on the carpet" for MC275 since 1964! I understand with certain speakers the MC30 is very highly regarded.
It was late in life before I could afford any. Tube units were out of my price range.I could not afford new units. So, I went with older solid state units. I now have four MC225s, two MC2500s, two MC2205s, two MC7270s, and a single MC2505. All are of similar vintage and (at least to my 76 year old ears) similar sound.
The Mc2505 was my first one . I have been using Carver. When I first put the MC2505 in my system I thought the treble was gone. Then I put on some source material with some treble, and THERE IT WAS!!!
I finally figured out the Carver had been weak in mid-range with treble emphasis, and my ears had become accustomed to it.
Now, I fully appreciate the "fuller" McIntosh sound.
With that many older McIntosh units, yes I have had some repaired. But, one cannot expect everything to run forever.
I gave up on my first Lexus LS400 after 190,000 miles because of difficulty in finding parts. My current LS430 has 145,000 miles - so far no problem with parts.
I have had parts problems with McIntosh (power switches on MC2205 & MC2255, as well as glass plate for MC2255 - but I have managed to find replacements on auction sites - I buy extra ones as "spares" when I can.
My personal favorite is the MC2255 (that is why I have four). That was the last unit McIntosh made with a Chrome Chassis (later ones are stamped steel), it has more power-guard protection, it has a computer controlled "count-down" when you turn it on, and it has a headphone jack (which the MC7270s do not have).
But, if your budget will allow an MC275, auction one with your speakers. If you budget is bigger, take a look at the 1.2K and 2K units.
Thanks,
JIM
P.S. No matter which unit you decide on - BE SURE to get an MEN220. To me that is the best McIntosh investment you can make!!!

[docdownload]

I would have to say MC 2205. I have 5 in my system. I know how to take them apart and make some replacement part. I actually made a small circuit board for the front light display

[Masterlu]

MC2KW's hands down.

[Grasshopper]

How good is the MC 1.2kw???

I keep thinking that could be a pretty good McAmp for the Aidas—-

[dixon007]

MC 1.2Kw is fantastic. Never have to worry about underperformance.

[70sMac]

Originally Posted by docdownload

I would have to say MC 2205. I have 5 in my system. I know how to take them apart and make some replacement part. I actually made a small circuit board for the front light display

Doc D..... Assuming that you've posted them in the past, would you please direct me to some photos of your system? I just visited your profile page, and it would seem that we have certain things in common. You started your Mac adventure back in the 70s, just like me, so there you go...

Thanks for the nice post

[70sMac]

Originally Posted by jdcarlson

Just about any older tube amp. I have "drooled on the carpet" for MC275 since 1964! I understand with certain speakers the MC30 is very highly regarded.
It was late in life before I could afford any. Tube units were out of my price range.I could not afford new units. So, I went with older solid state units. I now have four MC225s, two MC2500s, two MC2205s, two MC7270s, and a single MC2505. All are of similar vintage and (at least to my 76 year old ears) similar sound.
The Mc2505 was my first one . I have been using Carver. When I first put the MC2505 in my system I thought the treble was gone. Then I put on some source material with some treble, and THERE IT WAS!!!
I finally figured out the Carver had been weak in mid-range with treble emphasis, and my ears had become accustomed to it.
Now, I fully appreciate the "fuller" McIntosh sound.
With that many older McIntosh units, yes I have had some repaired. But, one cannot expect everything to run forever.
I gave up on my first Lexus LS400 after 190,000 miles because of difficulty in finding parts. My current LS430 has 145,000 miles - so far no problem with parts.
I have had parts problems with McIntosh (power switches on MC2205 & MC2255, as well as glass plate for MC2255 - but I have managed to find replacements on auction sites - I buy extra ones as "spares" when I can.
My personal favorite is the MC2255 (that is why I have four). That was the last unit McIntosh made with a Chrome Chassis (later ones are stamped steel), it has more power-guard protection, it has a computer controlled "count-down" when you turn it on, and it has a headphone jack (which the MC7270s do not have).
But, if your budget will allow an MC275, auction one with your speakers. If you budget is bigger, take a look at the 1.2K and 2K units.
Thanks,
JIM
P.S. No matter which unit you decide on - BE SURE to get an MEN220. To me that is the best McIntosh investment you can make!!!

Jim..... You've mentioned the MEN220 a few times in the past and, no doubt, it's a great unit. As I understand the design concept, the MEN220 is essentially a Room Perfect unit...and, in fact, a good friend of mine recently called it "Room Perfect in a box." As we presently have an MX151 in our rack, we seem to have the benefits of the Room Perfect utility under control...Now it's simply a matter of moving everything into our new A/V room.

We recently had a pair of B&W 802D3s audited for us -- courtesy of a pair of MC1.2KWs -- so your words about the Mac monoblocks are well taken. Considering the expense involved with setting up the aforementioned A/V room, we simply can't afford the "big boys" (1.2KW and up) in the Mac amp lineup.

By the way, the Bob Carver (BC) equipment I invested in, when I was stationed overseas, is RIP in a landfill somewhere. That was my one and only real experiment with other so-called "high end" audio equipment...and the BC stuff sounded nice while it lasted. When my last BC unit, the DTL-200 MKII "Digital Time Lens" CD player, started having issues, the local audio equipment repair guru laughed at me when I inquired about a possible repair. Put simply, Bob Carver is probably most responsible for sending me back to Mac.