You are right Toetap, some of us like the way real music sounds, and the 275 reproduces music in a more realistc and enjoyable fashion than any amplifier I have heard regardless of cost. Unfortunately, for me, it took many years and many lessons before I finally broke down and admitted to myself that McIntosh equipment has a high resale value for a reason. I did not want to admit it to myself for a long time. The 275 is one of their very best and is an absolute steal for the money. Harbeths sound nothing like JBL's by the way. As far as Avalon's are concerned they are good speakers no doubt about it, but the Harbeths sound pretty good and the gap is nowhere near how you put it. Have you ever heard Harbeths? If you did, you would know this. The Avalons have more bass but I am not sure that necessarily makes them better as in a revelation as you put it. Bigger isn't always better.
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
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