Rootpusher Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 Greetings! As a result of lurking here, I scored a pair of oiled oak Forte IIs and went the Bob C. route for internal wiring, diaphragms, and crossovers. NICE. I have a high-end digital frount-end, and recently acquired a Mac C504 preamp. I'm thinking about a Mac amp to complete this "vintage" rig and the MC502 that matches the C504 is intriguing, but is not a "classic" autoformer Mac. I'm also looking at a supposedly working-at-spec MC250 (which uses autoformers), but worry that solid state that early could sound terrible with a speaker as revealing as the Klipsch. Any other used Mac suggestions? I'd love to stay under a $1,000. Autoformer Macs greatly preferred over their direct-coupled designs? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenderbender Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 The MC-250 is actually a favorite of many on this forum....I regret selling mine, it was a wonderful (classic mac) amp! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kuisis Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 There is a beautiful one on Audiogon right now for 420. Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djk Posted June 10, 2009 Share Posted June 10, 2009 MC502, 2120, 2125, 2200, 2205 all have the same amplifier circuit, and run on the same voltage. All but the 502 use autoformers. I think the 2120/2125 are the best of that series. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rootpusher Posted June 11, 2009 Author Share Posted June 11, 2009 Arghhh. I ordered a C1 grade MC250 on AudioClassics web site yesterday -- up at $299! -- and they called today to say the listing was an error, and that it is an "F" cosmetically. (C denotes good cosmetics; 1 denotes amp checked out and working to spec.) The search continues; thanks for all your suggestions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenderbender Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 Don't forget to look for a 2505...it is the exact same amp with blue meters, the 250 was styled to look like the mac tube 275......just a thought Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djk Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 The newer MC502/2120/2125/2200/2205 series sound quite a bit better than the earlier MC250/2505/2100/2105/2300 series. I have a 2100 in good cosmetic shape that I am willing to part with (keeping my pair of 2120). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kuisis Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 Plus that one is still on Audiogon. 420 is a great price for one in that condition. I have two and If I didn't have a 2100 would now have three. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rootpusher Posted June 12, 2009 Author Share Posted June 12, 2009 I have a line on an MC250 checked out and brought up to spec by mcintoshhomeaudio.com (Tom Manley and Terry DeWick) and a line on an MC2120 checked out at spec by AudioClassics. How would those amps differ in the context of my C504/Forte II system? Which would you prefer and why? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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