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McIntosh MC 275 Mk IV or V with Harbeth M-40.1?

I've had my Plinius SA-102 for longer than any previous amp (almost 3 years) and have been very satisfied with it's reliability, musicality and build quality, but I'm very intrigued with finally trying a classic tube amp.

I listen to classical, jazz, vocals & acoustic rock at moderate volume levels, so I'm thinking the 75 WPC of the McIntosh MC 275 (mk IV or V) would work fine in my 15' x 21' x 7' basement set up. The Harbeth M-40.1's sensitivity is 85dB/W/m, 6 ohm nominal. Suggested amplification: >50W (Stereophile's review of the M-40.1's noted excellent success when driven by a 35wpc Shindo push-pull amp)

I've researched other tube amps from Rogue (M120's & 150's), VTL (ST-150), Manley (Snappers), Cary (120S), Audio Research (VT-100 MK III) and Quicksilver (V-4's). Ultimately I'm leaning heavily towards the Mac MC 275 (Mk IV or V) due to its not being a monoblock, it's a classic unit with excellent build quality and good resale value, and it's known to be reliable and is easy to bias.

Preamp is an Aesthetix Calypso with NOS tubes and my sources are digital and FM.

Comments from those experienced with later model McIntosh MC 275 and/or Harbeth M-40.1's would be appreciated.

Thanks - Paul

128x128pdreher

Showing 2 responses by ryder

ryder
1,686 posts
 
Glad the McIntosh worked out for you. The 40.1's are truly great speakers and I can imagine wonderful music being reproduced in the room by the glowing tubes of the McIntosh MC275. Hope you would attain an even higher level of sound and musicality with the use of different/higher grades of tubes.

Musical preference always matter in this hobby as everyone hears things differently. Hence it is important to mix and match components in getting the ideal sound that the listener wants. "Too much of a good thing" for one can be "just right" for another.

Have fun rolling the tubes. Enjoy~
ryder
1,686 posts
 
Hi Pdreher. Thanks for the recommendation. Will keep the Mac in mind. I knew the MC275 was something special since the sonic attributes appealed to me even though I was using a pretty lousy preamp on it the last time I tried the MC275 MkIV. Still trying out some amps to get a feel of things to come. Will get to listen to the Naim XS in my system this coming weekend, hopefully.
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