2. amps-preamps
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I finally got a Mcintosh amp

Hi All,

Well, after all the yearning & anticipation of getting My first Mcintosh piece. I have to say that my impressions of the MC 2505 were that of disappointment. The Amp itself was in excellent cosmetic shape for it's vintage. No Rust pitting, about two or three very minor dings, and a hint of of the common Bubble around the headphone jack (the VU meters were more a washed out green then Blue - could be from age??).

After the inital inspections, I preceeded to hook up my preamp, Cd Player & Paradigm Mini's. I then got out a few of my reference CD's and started my little work out....... Where's The "Airy highs and or midrange", where's the "inticingly broader soundstage" or transparency? Lastly, where the hell is the bass response (these where all the question I was asking myself)?

Per reviewers of these Vintage Mcintosh pieces. They're supposed to be "Tube-like" in sound. I don't think so...(Never hearing tubes before, I was under the impression that Tube sound is all those things and flat out more musical). Anyway, if this MC2505 is "tube-like", then My Rotel RB 976 is as well. Only My Rotel has better bass & Dynamics, even in it's 60watt X 2 capacity.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to diss Mcintosh or their costumers. I still Lust after that sound of the Mc122+Mc15+Mini Monitors, that I heard at My dealers showroom about a year and a half ago. I guess Mcintosh has gotten better in the later years of production. So, needless to say that the MC2505 went back. I'll have to save up a few more dollars to get the Mc amp I really could live with (Namely One from at least the late 90's or above).

Cheers,
Jalen
jalen01
fyneplace
40 posts
 
Jalen:
I bought my first Mac, a 2505, when it first came out. It was, I believe, the very first transistor amp they built. In its day it was very good for a newly developing transitor industry. Mac has come a long way since then and I continue to be a loyal Mac fan. Most of their equipment is first class and I love the sound of their "neutral" and almost "tube-like" sound. It just wasn't there in the 2505.
Jeff
vibeman
29 posts
 
SSSSSHHHH- Keep that under your hat. You'll cause a recession. MACs are collectable and (yes, overrated). Lots of folks LOVE MACs, but most of them just collect them- never listen to them. Rotels sound great! that's no surprise. Sorry you are unhappy with your MAC...
maxgain
526 posts
 
Is that a late 70's or 80's vintage Mac amp? If it was, they all sounded like that. None too impressive. The parts quality in those things,such as caps and resistors was lame(it think these used crappy IC's as well!). The general build quality is fine otherwise. Yes they seem to have figured out how to get better sound as of late, perhaps too late. I see their customers going the way of the customers of Lincoln and Cadillac. Glad to see that they brought back tube gear! I wish them the best of luck at being a HiFi company once again.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
ivanj
35 posts
 
It's really only the last couple of generations of solid state that were acceptable and the latest generation (eg 602) is very good indeed. However, the SELLER of early SS McIntosh will tell you everything is, well, what they probably told you "Airy highs and or midrange", the "inticingly broader soundstage" or transparency?" But don't feel too bad, the early transistor preamps (eg C26) are even worse, they could descale your coffee maker. Sell it on eBAY to a "collector."
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