McIntosh Integrated Amplifiers

To answer your question, Worldwide, as to why I'm not fond of autoformers, all the amps I've had with them have had rather flabby bass. Kirkus is right, other than the autoformers, there isn't a difference in the amps design. The autoformerless units do have a high damping factor, compared to ones with them. There are also other amps in the lineup without them, being the MC7106 and 7108, which are multi-channel amps. If Mac dropped the autoformers, since they are costly to build, as was noted, and increase the weight tremendously, maybe more folks could afford them. Some of the prices on their newest models are hideous! But hey, Mac is still a great product, and the final choice is your ears. Happy listening!

Of course a Mac without autoformers is a true "Mac"! My MC7200 amp doesn't have them, and I personally wouldn't have one with them, having owned several Mac amps with them. The autoformers allow the amp to put out the same rated power into ALL speaker loads. Without them, my amp has a rated power of 200 wpc into 8 ohms/300 wpc into 4 ohms. This is only my personal opinion, but if autoformers were so great, why do you not see them in other high-end manufacturer's products? Don't get me wrong, I have owned and loved Mac gear since 1978, I just hate autoformers.