I still own and use a McIntosh 2105 that I have owned since 1976. It has shown the door to quite a number of other amps that I hoped would be better. I do switch it off now with a recently purchased Audio Note Kits EL34 amp with C-core transformers, but the Mac still bests it in certain ways. A few years ago, I had the transistors replaced along with the big power supply capacitors. I sacrificed the option to have 4,8, and 16 ohm taps, and had my Mac tech install modern Cardas 5 way binding posts and new high quality gold plated input jacks. I also had the an IEC installed so that I could use aftermarket power cords. All of this really didn’t cost that much, and for those who aren’t collectors, and actually just use these amps to listen with, I would say take the plunge and try these modern modifications.
The old power cord is in no way worthy of any good amp, and it is such a pleasure to now have modern 5 way binding posts instead of those crowded, corroded old strips.
I just want to add that for all of those who want to pipe in and point out the technical deficiencies of this old amp, I agree! It is not even close in technical sophistication to modern amps, like the Pass Labs 250.5 that it embarrassed, but as always, the proof is in the way it actually sounds.
The old power cord is in no way worthy of any good amp, and it is such a pleasure to now have modern 5 way binding posts instead of those crowded, corroded old strips.
I just want to add that for all of those who want to pipe in and point out the technical deficiencies of this old amp, I agree! It is not even close in technical sophistication to modern amps, like the Pass Labs 250.5 that it embarrassed, but as always, the proof is in the way it actually sounds.