MC275 How It's Made

[A1UC]

Next Purchase VRD's

[jorjen]

I suggest you buy some VRD's and a NBS. Money ahead, and sonically, way ahead. These components are transparent links. Simple as that. The better the source and the better the speakers, the better the sound. The bottleneck will no longer be the amps and preamp, and this I can assure you with one listen at Casa De Moons. They are deserving of the best speakers and source you can get.

I repair audio for a living, and I have never heard anything that will touch these components. How's that for an endorsement.

Craig, get down with yo bad self!

I did the deed and could not be happier! Thanks again Craig ole buddy!

[Max2]

Hmmm. I guess I expected a man in a white lab coat with Surgeon glasses on assembling these things. Instead, we got Flo with big 80's hair and carnival bling flexing the circuit boards and popping things together like she was building a 5 minute Lego kit for her child. I'm not an amp builder, but this was far from what I would want the world to view as building the best of the best.

[CECAA850]

I repair audio for a living

Holler when you get that Adcom stuff down

Edited June 6, 2014 by CECAA850

[NOSValves]

I heard changing out the power tubes can be a good upgrade. What do you suggest?

Hey please realize that the difference are often exaggerated in audio and when I speak I often take more into account then most people would when forming my opinion. My opinion gets swayed by the ease of repairing a rebuilding. I also get highly sway by the quality of the business end of a audio product much more then a normal consumer. By no means did I intend to make you feel your modern McIntosh gear sounds bad in anyway.

As far as your output power tubes I'm very found of these

http://www.thetubestore.com/Preferred-Series-KT88 I've used the Penta Lab branded version of this tube for many years.

I also like the newer Tungsol KT-120 and KT-150's...but the 150's are pretty pricey and could keep you from installing the tube cage. I purchase the Tungsol tubes from www.dougstubes.com. Doug is who I purchased the Penta Labs version (KT88SC) that is the same as the tube store preferred KT-88 for years and I believe he may end up getting another stock from Penta soon. I think he still has a few quads of the Penta's from previous orders. But from experience I tend to stay away from tubes that a tube dealer is low on since those last ones were probably scraping the bottom of the barrel in the matching department.

[thebes]

I suggest you buy some VRD's and a NBS. Money ahead, and sonically, way ahead. These components are transparent links. Simple as that. The better the source and the better the speakers, the better the sound. The bottleneck will no longer be the amps and preamp, and this I can assure you with one listen at Casa De Moons. They are deserving of the best speakers and source you can get.

I repair audio for a living, and I have never heard anything that will touch these components. How's that for an endorsement.

Craig, get down with yo bad self!

Paul, if I had the money I'd be following your advice in a New York minute with one major caveat. You are not saying it out loud ,but you are talking about that dreaded audiophile word "transparent". Ain't no such thing. Never has been, never will. Remember how they always described good British gear as "neutral" Also ain't no such thang.

Now a clean signal, that I could get behind, for certainty. that's my true impression of Craig's stuff.

As far as that Mac goes, try as I might I can't fall in love with their sound, and yes they have always had a sound. To me Mac's always been a high-fashion statement, old money, summer-at-the-Hamptons kind of play. Never trusted the rich , so why would I want their toys.

And, hey, I've already had my way with their women.

Edited June 7, 2014 by thebes

[wstrickland1]

I heard changing out the power tubes can be a good upgrade. What do you suggest?

Hey please realize that the difference are often exaggerated in audio and when I speak I often take more into account then most people would when forming my opinion. My opinion gets swayed by the ease of repairing a rebuilding. I also get highly sway by the quality of the business end of a audio product much more then a normal consumer. By no means did I intend to make you feel your modern McIntosh gear sounds bad in anyway.

As far as your output power tubes I'm very found of these

http://www.thetubestore.com/Preferred-Series-KT88 I've used the Penta Lab branded version of this tube for many years.

I also like the newer Tungsol KT-120 and KT-150's...but the 150's are pretty pricey and could keep you from installing the tube cage. I purchase the Tungsol tubes from www.dougstubes.com. Doug is who I purchased the Penta Labs version (KT88SC) that is the same as the tube store preferred KT-88 for years and I believe he may end up getting another stock from Penta soon. I think he still has a few quads of the Penta's from previous orders. But from experience I tend to stay away from tubes that a tube dealer is low on since those last ones were probably scraping the bottom of the barrel in the matching department.

I took no offense, I value your opinion greatly. I couldn't be convinced that my setup sounds bad either, esp while I'm Relaxin' with Miles Davis .....there is definitely some synergy with the 275/2500 and the P39s.

I have read several different places that there is an opportunity for improvement by changing out the stock output tubes but that the stock input tubes are quieter than most aftermarket. I'm not sure about that but I will say that this setup is virtually silent between songs. It really is the quietest rig I personally have ever heard. Shockingly silent in fact.

[paul79]

I heard changing out the power tubes can be a good upgrade. What do you suggest?

Hey please realize that the difference are often exaggerated in audio and when I speak I often take more into account then most people would when forming my opinion. My opinion gets swayed by the ease of repairing a rebuilding. I also get highly sway by the quality of the business end of a audio product much more then a normal consumer. By no means did I intend to make you feel your modern McIntosh gear sounds bad in anyway.

As far as your output power tubes I'm very found of these

http://www.thetubestore.com/Preferred-Series-KT88 I've used the Penta Lab branded version of this tube for many years.

I also like the newer Tungsol KT-120 and KT-150's...but the 150's are pretty pricey and could keep you from installing the tube cage. I purchase the Tungsol tubes from www.dougstubes.com. Doug is who I purchased the Penta Labs version (KT88SC) that is the same as the tube store preferred KT-88 for years and I believe he may end up getting another stock from Penta soon. I think he still has a few quads of the Penta's from previous orders. But from experience I tend to stay away from tubes that a tube dealer is low on since those last ones were probably scraping the bottom of the barrel in the matching department.

You are correct. Nothing going through circuitry is "completely" transparent. But be damned, this is as close as I've ever been listening to circuitry.

Edited June 7, 2014 by paul79

[Dr Morbius]

Anyone know when this vid plays again, I'd like to see the building of a McIntosh.

[paul79]

They usually play it again prior to the new episode, the following week.

[Dr Morbius]

Thanks, got it…….oh and Max2 - love that avatar!!!

[Zim.]

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