McIntosh MC275 Power Amplifier
The MC275 from McIntosh is not only one of the all time classics, when it comes to vacuum tube amplifiers, it is quite possibly one of (if not the best) of their tube amps, in terms of value, sonics, and build quality.
The new MC1052 is pretty awesome, but has not been around long enough. You can read our review on that one here…
This amplifier on so many levels is a king, because while it is not the very last word in dynamics or extension, it’s so darn good everywhere it’s impossible to fault. The 275 can also be bridged to become a 150 watt monoblock, adding to its versatility. The early versions of this amplifier had crazy barrier terminals for your speakers, inline level controls and RCA jacks only. Forget one of those unless you just want a museum piece.
A current model like this is definitely the droid you want. Thanks to a fixed bias setup, the four KT88 tubes will never need adjustment, and while rated at 75 watts per channel, I’ve never read a review with measurements where this amplifier didn’t produce 90-95 per. Best of all, Mac tube amps are always easy on tubes, so you won’t be changing them often. There is a tube cage, should you need to protect kids, dogs, and cats, but if you can get away without it, bask in the tube glow!
One thing that will be a love or hate, is the way the tubes glow green from underneath, thanks to LEDs. Think stanced Hondas drifting around in a parking lot glow. Fortunately, if you’d like your MC275 to be OG and just see the tube filaments, you can switch the LEDs off.
This amplifier has an ease about it, that few other tube power amplifiers do, and regardless of speakers chosen, the dedication to a natural, slightly on the warm side overall sound shows you why so many people all over the world love the MC275.
Build quality is top shelf, and McIntosh still winds their transformers in-house, in the Binghamton, NY facilities. By the same experts that have been doing it for decades. Another part of Mc that makes these amps so desireable.
TMR has two of these in stock right now, and this is a killer price. You’ll want to keep it forever.
Just click here.
