Ma2275

[wpines]

Since I repurchased my previously owned Belle Klipsch horns I've been thinking about a MA2275 to drive them. Horns love tubes.
I've read reviews on this piece but I'd appreciate hearing you guys thoughts and experiences with this tube integrated.

[Masterlu]

[Jerome W]

Ivan,

I never asked for not being ridiculous but here it goes : what does this "pop corn sign" mean ?

Jerome

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by C220MC275

Ivan,

I never asked for not being ridiculous but here it goes : what does this "pop corn sign" mean ?

Jerome

means to lurk

I have a somewhat jaded view (happen to like the MA2275 alot) so I would rather others talk about it's strengths.

[Jerome W]

Thanks Ivan,
Now I'm less stupid !

[Formerly YB-2]

A couple of years ago I tried to 'downsize' from a BAT VK-30 tube preamp and MC275MkV amp by using an MA2275. I rolled tubes and tried different cables. In the end (several months), nothing worked. The MA2275 is quite anemic when compared to the MC275 driven by a decent preamp. I have to admit, I was warned by my sales person that I would likely be disappointed. Mia culpa. Get a C2200/C220 and the MC275 and don't look back. The MC275 rules.

[stevehuff]

Your horns will sound much better with a 300b set amp than any Mac. With that said, the 2275 is better built and looking than it sounds. I have had the pleasure of having all kinds of audio gear through my house and 90% of it tube.

Best sounds I have heard came from a cary 805 and Cary 300sei. Also a wavelength audio 300b amp, i think the duetto. The 2275 is not big on finesse or sweetness. More heft, mid bass and a bit too laid back.

I just traded in my 2275 after 8 months with it. Bought it new but never was 100% happy with it. My dealer took it back and gave me 5700 trade towards the ma7000.

The 7000 is different but the same really. More power, more bass, a teeny bit more resolution but wider soundstage.

Im using it with the mcd500 and son us faber guarneri mementos. I remember my days with avantgarde UNOs and those set amps. Gorgeous sound. Any mac with horns will be too much IMO and may kill the delicacy that those horns are capable of.

[Jerome W]

The least I can say is that I did not hear many positive comments on this integrated, here or on an other forum...
Too bad because the idea of an integrated 275 was really appealing....
I second the opinion of a 220 or a 2200 with a 275.
Jerome

[bradleyc]

Here's an excerpt from a 2004 Audiophile Voice review: McIntosh also makes separate
units that are similar to the integrated
MA2275 but with greater flexibility
and sophistications. I asked
Ron Cornelius, product manager at
McIntosh, how he thought the separates
and the integrated units might
compare. His answer was to deliver
a C2200 preamp and a MC275 75-
watt amp so I could hear for myself.
The C2200 has twice as many tubes
as the MA2275 uses in its preamp
section, has more inputs, output meters, and an alphanumeric readout
on settings. The MC275 has the
appearance of a classic Mac tube
amp but its circuitry and component
parts are completely modern. It also
uses more tubes, although like the
MA2275, it has four KT88’s in the
output stage. As you would expect,
the integrated and the separates
sound very much a like. The
MA2275 is a little cleaner on top
and transients are more precise. The
separates have a warmer, more burnished
mid-range, and a slightly
bigger, more powerful bass.
Listening to Diana Krall or a Mozart
flute quartet, I would prefer the
MA2275. Listening to Count Basie
or a Mahler symphony, I would
rather go with the C2200 and
MC275 combo. But overall I preferred
the MA2275 and there’s
another advantage. It costs $2,000
less than the Mac separates.

[Formerly YB-2]

Just like the rest of us...........one man's opinion.