McIntosh 50th Anniversary MC275 Tube Amplifier Preview
McIntosh 50th Anniversary MC275 Tube Amplifier
Summary
- Product Name: 50th Anniversary MC275 Tube Amplifier
- Manufacturer: McIntosh
- Review Date: January 11, 2012 08:55
- MSRP: $6500
- First Impression: Mildly Interesting
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- Circuit Configuration: McIntosh Unity Coupled
- Circuit Design: Vacuum Tube
- Dimensions: 8-1/2” (21.6cm) x 21-1/2” (54.6cm) x 12” (30.5cm)
- Dynamic Headroom: 1.2dB
- Frequency Response: +0, -0.5dB from 20Hz to 20KHz; +0, -3.0dB from 10Hz to 70KHz
- Gold Plated Binding Posts: New style McIntosh, patented
- Mono Parallel: 150 W @ 2, 4, 8 ohms
- Rated Power Band: 20Hz to 20kHz
- Remote Power Control: Yes, with tube illumination control
- S/N below rated output: Greater than 100dB
- Stereo Power Output: 75 W, x 2 @ 4, 8, 16 ohms
- THD: 0.5%
- Weight: 67 lbs. (30.5kg) net
- Wide Band Dampening Factor: > 18
Executive Overview
McIntosh popped out a new 50th Anniversary edition of its popular MC275 tube amplifier. This edition features the same great quality of the MC275, but also comes in an elegant gold-toned chassis. As we learned with teh now all-but-extinct 100th Anniversary Edition Denon products, the specially created amp is being offered in a very limited quantity. The amp will come with a commemorative history book and deluxe packaging. But that's not all the 50th Anniversary Edition delivers, there are some other improvements as well. First off, the Limited Edition MC275 comes with a gold-toned chassis and features the classic 1961 tube circuit design of the original, but it also comes with a multi-colored LED display to indicate different levels of performance readiness, as well as a new "High Speed Sentry Monitor" circuit that automatically turns the amp off should any particular tube wear out. Then, when the tube is replaced, normal operation is restored. Also, for the first time ever, the Limited Edition MC275 is equipped with Power Control input and output (basically, a sensing trigger), so on-off operation can be controlled by a simple cable connection to any McIntosh preamp or processor. Behold its beauty and drool...
"When McIntosh debuted our original MC275 tube power amplifier in 1961, the world had never heard anything like it before. We have applied 50 years of technological advancements to this already legendary piece, which continues to maintain its leadership status for quality and reliability. People who know this amp won’t be surprised to learn that many of the 1961 era MC275 amps are still in use today. Our Limited Edition MC275 pays tribute to the original for everything it has meant to McIntosh customers over the years and for ‘bringing their music to life.’ This is truly a golden anniversary for the MC275 and we’re confident that years from now, music lovers who purchase a Limited Edition model will still be enjoying their ‘sound investment!’"
- McIntosh President Charlie Randall
The 50th Anniversary Limited Edition McIntosh MC275 tube power amplifier is available from authorized McIntosh dealers for a suggested retail price of $6,500. For more information, visit www.mcintoshlabs.com/us/
Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. A formal review may or may not follow in the future.
gene, post: 856728
One thing to consider is whether you buy a Mcintosh amp today or 20 years ago, it holds its value. Try doing that with a mainstream A/V receiver or amplifier. It doesn't happen! McIntosh retains and sometimes increases value overtime. That alone is IMPRESSIVE!
This is a good point. Mark Levinson & Krell are this way too. I just sold my 15 year-old Levinson CD player for $2500. No, I didn't misplace the decimal point. Resale value - and bullet-proof construction - are reasonable arguments.
Irvrobinson, post: 856725
This is an odd duck for Audioholics. Based on performance, why would anyone buy a tube amp, other than for aesthetic value? Given the data-driven, science-first orientation of this site it is odd that a product like this would be given preview stature. Just saying…
I'm not huge on tubes either but there's some good ones out there too… good amps sound more similar than not whether they are PWM, tube, or solid state. Tubes however glow. Tubes are inherently inefficient but also linear, which makes them a good candidate for bad amps IE zero feedback. But you can make a good albeit inefficient tube amp too.
It's no excuse for a bad amp but if it operates with flat response, is run below clipping, doesn't change the speaker's response meaningfully, is free from meaningful crossover distortion - hey why not?
Some don't even clip 30wpc amps anyways depending on their room and speakers.
Irvrobinson, post: 856725
This is an odd duck for Audioholics. Based on performance, why would anyone buy a tube amp, other than for aesthetic value? Given the data-driven, science-first orientation of this site it is odd that a product like this would be given preview stature. Just saying…
Some people like the colored sound of a tube. When they clip the sound is pleasing and warm whereas a solid state amp clipping can be harsh. Of course a solid state amp typically is a lot harder to clip b/c it usually has more headroom.
We preview all relevant new products from CES. Why discriminate against a brand so many audiophiles are fond of?
One thing to consider is whether you buy a Mcintosh amp today or 20 years ago, it holds its value. Try doing that with a mainstream A/V receiver or amplifier. It doesn't happen! McIntosh retains and sometimes increases value overtime. That alone is IMPRESSIVE!
Clint Deboer was terminated from Audioholics for misconduct on April 4th, 2014. He no longer represents Audioholics in any fashion.
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