McIntosh MC275 MkV

[jdandy]

The McIntosh MC275 MkV is the baby tube amplifier in the McIntosh line up, and as such doesn't get a great deal of attention. At 75 watts per channel stereo, and 150 watts when paralleled mono, it is not considered a serious power house, either. What it does, though, is reproduce music in an amazing, almost holographic manner, with a richness of sound that literally vibrates with natural life. The Mk V version of this long standing amplifier lineage has benefited from the advances in circuit topology and close tolerance parts used in the latest amplifier design. These advances manifest themselves in a number of useful ways, not the least of which is an incredibly quiet tube amplifier that features a signal to noise ratio of 100dB or greater. There are ceramic tube sockets with gold-plated pins, and a special McIntosh designed power tube chimney at the base of each KT88 to allow cool air to flow by the output tubes. In addition, there are the new speaker terminals that have been designed to accept all the latest high-end terminations and large wire. Nice touches for sure.

Although the amplifier is rated at 75 watts per channel on the McIntosh specification page, it typically outputs 90 watts within specs on the test bench, and double that when wired to operate in parallel mono fashion. I have used a single MC275 MkV to power my PMC EB1i speakers (89dB efficient) with excellent results, though I pressed the limits of its output capabilities with the PMC's. I now have two MC275 MkV amplifiers running mono driving SF Guarneri Memento's, and the 150 watts each amp produces (more like 180 watts), powers the Memento's to a substantial and satisfying volume in my 12' x 16' room. Best of all is the amazing sound of the MC275 amplifiers. Music flows in a life like and organic way through these amplifiers, often leaving me in complete awe of the clarity, resolve, and dimension of the music. The MC275 MkV may be the baby in the McIntosh catalog, but it is a serious performer despite its small size and less than gargantuan output power. In mono, the MC275 has no problem developing 105dB musical peaks from the Guarneri Memento's (88dB efficient), and reproducing this level with finesse and accuracy.

I have heard it said the MC275 MkV's are immune to tube rolling, and not much changes when different tubes are used. I have discovered this to be false. The MC275 sound improved in a big way when I installed Gold Lion KT88's in place of the stock tubes. The amp is also able to reveal the differences in sound when rolling the 12AT7 and 12AX7 tubes. There are plenty of benefits to be enjoyed rolling tubes in the MC275 amplifiers. It is definately a tube rollers amplifier, in my opinion.

The MC275 MkV is a current McIntosh product, and at $4500 each represents quite a bargain in the price versus performance arena. Used, a pair of MC275 MkV's can be found, if you're lucky, for under $6000. This makes the MC275's an amazing value for anyone looking to build a first class sound system with premium tube amps that won't break the bank. I am very satisfied with the performance on my two MC275 MkV's running in mono. I may even take them upstairs and try them in the main system on the PMC's again, this time two MC275's running in mono. Should be interesting. Although the McIntosh MC275 MkV is often overlooked for more powerful amplifiers when building a sound system, I can testify to their ability to support first rate sound with all but the most inefficient speakers, particularly when operating a pair of them in mono. Highly recommended.

[Masterlu]

Gold Lion's for Everyone!

[Ron-C]

Dan,

Good observations on the MC275. It is a very popular amp and has been for some time..49 years.

Thanks,

[dcanlas]

Dan,

I am new to this site. I just received my complete set of McIntosh system this week and very excited about it.

My system consists of;

MC2300
MC275 V (2)
MVP 871
Dali Helicon 800 MKII
VPI Aries 3

Currently using stock tubes that came with. but, will be looking at tube rolling in the near future. I have 2 matched pair of Telefunken 12AX7 to install on my preamp. the top is hard to come off. I wonder if I have to remove the sides as well.

I will be posting pictures this week.

Thanks
Dario

[Dj_AmTraX]

Nice picture. I have GL tubes too.

[Mctwins]

Hi
I works great with high efficicent speakers as well. Like 103dB SPL, 2,83 V @ 1 meters.
Thanks

[Logan Nolag]

I love the MC275. I've heard it at my local dealer with a C2300. I don't remember what speakers it was hooked up to but it was one of the most beautiful things I have ever heard.

I've also heard a pair of MC1.2kw's hooked up to the same pre and the same speakers and I can honestly say I liked the sound of the 275 just as much if not a bit more than the 1.2kw's.

[Vintage Pete]

Dan....nice writeup, as usual. I reaffirms what I already knew...that I would certainly like to own a pair of these one day

Pete

[Formerly YB-2]

Only disagreement I would have is that I found a single MC275MkV to sound better than a pair in my system. Believe there is magic in having only a single pair of output devices (either tubes or solid-state) per channel.

[C2300MC275]

Is there any scientific merit to having a pair of mc275s even if you have efficient speakers?
I read somewhere that the distortion is lower when bridged?

Cheers