McIntosh MC75 MkIII amplifiers in the house

[jdandy]

My McIntosh MC75 MkIII amplifiers finally arrived about 1:30 PM. It was like seeing Santa Claus come up the driveway. Happy days. Huge grin. Two big burly guys carried the amps upstairs, packed the MC452, and were gone in less than 30 minutes. It did not take long for me to have the shipping cartons opened and the MC75 amplifiers displaying their charms. These are beautiful amplifiers, built like a Sherman tank, typical McIntosh attention to detail. Both amplifiers are in absolute mint condition, not a blemish or a scratch to be found anywhere. I couldn't be happier.











It took me about an hour to get both amplifiers installed after retubing them with Gold Lion KT-88 and ECC83/12AX7, and Siemens ECC801S/12AT7 tubes. John suggested I install them stock and then incrementally change tubes, add Wireworld Silver Electra power cables, and then add the Furutech Flux 50's. My enthusiasm overruled that idea as soon as I had them out of their cartons. Both MC75's are sporting the full enchillada. I couldn't hold myself back. I installed the two MC75's sideways in the rack, one in front of the other. There are two Cooler Guys fans installed on the back of the rack to pull warm air out of the rack cavity so the amps should have a long and healthy lifespan. In the future I may try orienting the amps 90 degrees so that the power cords and Flux 50's go directly out the back of the rack. It was a tight squeeze to get the Flux 50's and the Wireworld Silver Electra power cable installed as they presently sit. I do like looking at the tubes, but this arrangement obscures viewing the second amplifier. Time will determine what installation angle I eventually settle on.








The sound, goodness gracious, the sound. The system has been playing for two hours now and I am already thoroughly bonded with the MC75's. The sound is delicious, flowing, liquid gold to my ears, and the new tubes aren't broken in yet. No complaints with what I am hearing, only a big smile. The MC75's are wonderful. I should have bought a pair two years ago before McIntosh ended production. Being late to the party is still very cool. Color me starstruck.