MC275 club

[wpascoe]

For those who are fans of Steve Hoffman's remastering work on scores of Classic Rock albums, I remember he noted in a post he published to his own website that of the various editions of the MC275, he preferred the Mk II, Mk III, and Mk IV for sonic qualities when hooked up to a pair of original Legacy Focus towers (the speakers I had at the time).

But he also said he thought the BEST McIntosh sound he'd ever heard with the Legacy Focus was actually generated by the MC240, which he believes is a much sweeter sounding amplifier than even a vintage MC275.

The Legacy Focus is rated at 96 dB efficiency, so the MC240 can drive it relatively easily, but it's got a wicked impedance curve in the lower registers, so be forewarned -- 40 wpc might not be enough if you're playing Zeppelin or The Who at proper (read: loud) sound levels.

[sp8]

Last Summer I ordered a McIintosh C2500 and a MC275 to replace an aging Audio Research SP8 preamp and D70 power amp. I need the preamp the most but decided to replace both. The MC 275 version VI was delivered first. What surprised me was how much the MC275 cleaned up the base.

[MisterBritt]

Excellent. Thanks.

Originally Posted by wpascoe

I just lifted the following from another web site re: a comparison of the various versions of the MC275 -- I found if to be very helpful when I was choosing my various 275's: ...

[Bikeman71]

After I picked up my 275 MKVI yesterday, I would like to become a member of the brotherhood.

I've got three new pieces that all went in my system yesterday....MC275, C2300, and a WW Gold 6 XLR cable that connects them. I haven't found the magic yet, but I'm betting its because one, two, or all three need some break in time. Can anyone speak to the needed break-in time with the 275 (or others) if you have experience?

[o0OBillO0o]

WELCOME to the club inside the club!

[crwilli]

I am sure Dan et al can add much more detail but My experience with the 2300 shows at least 50 hours are needed. It is much "smoother" and open now. No experience with the 275... Yet. . This is the time when you need to feel like Grasshopper and have patience. But it is not easy!

[JGM411]

2300 + 275 = happy happy happy.

just turn it on and listen and enjoy. you will hear differences for quite awhile and it only gets better.

[jdandy]

Brent.......Congratulations on the MC275, C2300 combo. These two components will definitely blossom for you. With both components being brand new you are breaking in more than just the tubes. There are power supply capacitors and other hard parts that must settle into their own. It generally takes tubes about 50 hours to reach a state where no further improvement can be heard but hard parts, especially capacitors, require longer periods of time. I suspect the MC275 and the C2300 will continuously improve over about a 250 hour period, perhaps slightly sooner, before they reach their permanent sonic signature. Patience will be rewarded. Don't forget, you are also breaking in cables, too.

If you are operating the C2300 and the MC275 with McIntosh stock tubes, you will discover a big improvement when you roll in Gold Lion KT88's and almost any quality UK or German versions of the 12AX7's and 12AT7's. After much tube rolling and dollars spent I ultimately settled on all Gold Lions tubes (power tubes, driver tubes and invertor tubes) in my MC275 amplifiers and was astonished at their bass authority, dynamics and midrange clarity. In my C2300 I am presently using Gold Lion's in the line stage and Telefunken tubes in the MC phono stage.

Have fun with this super gear. The C2300 and the MC275 are wonderful performers.

By the way, welcome to Club MC275.

[Bikeman71]

Dan, thank you very much for this super detailed explanation. Instead of saying, "just wait, it gets better", you give all the reasons why. I appreciate you, your experience, your expertise, and your friendly way that you go about everything. You are such a huge asset to this community. Thank you!

Originally Posted by jdandy

Brent.......Congratulations on the MC275, C2300 combo. These two components will definitely blossom for you. With both components being brand new you are breaking in more than just the tubes. There are power supply capacitors and other hard parts that must settle into their own. It generally takes tubes about 50 hours to reach a state where no further improvement can be heard but hard parts, especially capacitors, require longer periods of time. I suspect the MC275 and the C2300 will continuously improve over about a 250 hour period, perhaps slightly sooner, before they reach their permanent sonic signature. Patience will be rewarded. Don't forget, you are also breaking in cables, too.

If you are operating the C2300 and the MC275 with McIntosh stock tubes, you will discover a big improvement when you roll in Gold Lion KT88's and almost any quality UK or German versions of the 12AX7's and 12AT7's. After much tube rolling and dollars spent I ultimately settled on all Gold Lions tubes (power tubes, driver tubes and invertor tubes) in my MC275 amplifiers and was astonished at their bass authority, dynamics and midrange clarity. In my C2300 I am presently using Gold Lion's in the line stage and Telefunken tubes in the MC phono stage.

Have fun with this super gear. The C2300 and the MC275 are wonderful performers.

By the way, welcome to Club MC275.

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by Bikeman71

Dan, thank you very much for this super detailed explanation. Instead of saying, "just wait, it gets better", you give all the reasons why. I appreciate you, your experience, your expertise, and your friendly way that you go about everything. You are such a huge asset to this community. Thank you!

Brent.......That is mighty kind of you to say.