jimjimbo Posted February 20, 2017 Share Posted February 20, 2017 Received this electrically and cosmetically restored masterpiece MC225 on Saturday. Due to the fantastic weather here and grand children commitments, just got to hook this up today. Source is an OPPO BDP-105D, preamp is a Mcintosh C-32. I have to say that I am seriously stunned at how good this unit sounds, and it's not even "broken in"....I thought my MC30's and MC240 were terrific in their own right, but wow, this is one beautifully musical piece. The clarity from top to bottom is just magic, and the low end is incredible. Ran it through it's paces with some live Clapton, Sonny Landreth/Derek Trucks, and of course some Steely Dan and Tower of Power on the Khorns, La Scala's and (temporarily) Cornwalls. I'm going to put some Heresy II's on it later today, and I know it's going to be great with those as well. I can just about guarantee that if you put one of these on a pair of Heritage speakers, you won't even consider a sub, it's that good...... 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CECAA850 Posted February 20, 2017 Share Posted February 20, 2017 Well it's sho nuff pretty as well. Congrats! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ceptorman Posted February 20, 2017 Share Posted February 20, 2017 Awesome pics...congrats...now crank it up! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derrickdj1 Posted February 20, 2017 Share Posted February 20, 2017 Very nice Jim. Those are some nice sounding amps. Congrats and entertain the grand-kids. What's not fun about that for the weekend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeW Posted February 20, 2017 Share Posted February 20, 2017 That is a nice lineup of McAmps, I have a pair of MC30's on the way from vintage vacuum and can't wait! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwc Posted February 21, 2017 Share Posted February 21, 2017 very nice setup Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USNRET Posted February 21, 2017 Share Posted February 21, 2017 Very nice Jim. Lee I don't know if I am sad or glad that I hadn't heard of vintage vacuum, I probably would have bought a pair of 30's they look very nice in the site photos; I went with a MC275 MK6 this morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimjimbo Posted February 21, 2017 Author Share Posted February 21, 2017 Yep, that's where I got the MC225, and the MC30's. Yves Beauvais is a master craftsman and a heck of a nice guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USNRET Posted February 21, 2017 Share Posted February 21, 2017 I know you just got them powered up but initial thoughts between the 225 and 30s? You are doing these thru LaScalas or??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimjimbo Posted February 21, 2017 Author Share Posted February 21, 2017 I have the capability of running all 3 of the amp configurations through Khorns, La Scala's and another pair (currently Cornwalls). 1 amp to 1 pair of speakers through a switch I had custom made. My initial impression is this.....the 225 is the best, most musical amp I own. The 7591 power tubes provide a low end that is pretty surprising. As described above, the clarity from top to bottom is amazing. Don't get me wrong, the MC30's are absolutely terrific, but they sound slightly veiled compared to the 225, and that may very well be because of the "newness" of the 225, but the tube set is all vintage high end, as are all of my Mc amps. The soundstage and instrument placement through the 225 is fantastic. Can you tell that I like it? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank1938 Posted February 21, 2017 Share Posted February 21, 2017 13 hours ago, USNRET said: Very nice Jim. Lee I don't know if I am sad or glad that I hadn't heard of vintage vacuum, I probably would have bought a pair of 30's they look very nice in the site photos; I went with a MC275 MK6 this morning. You are going to love the new amp. After a few weeks , I think you will find it is just as good, or better, than the 225. I have had three three totally restored 225s and find that the 275 is more to my liking and it presents excellent soundstage and wonderful bass. There are comments about replacing the tubes in the amp and I did put in vintage BB 12AX7s and RCA 12AT7s and found that the stock tubes are just as good. Enjoy the amp. Frank 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank1938 Posted February 21, 2017 Share Posted February 21, 2017 13 hours ago, jimjimbo said: Don't get me wrong, the MC30's are absolutely terrific, but they sound slightly veiled compared to the 225, and that may very well be because of the "newness" of the 225 Ryan Kilpatrick at Audio Classics would agree with you. He told me that the 225 is a little "sweeter" than the MC30 when I thought about trading one of the 225s for two 30s. They all are great amps though! Frank 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wheelman Posted February 23, 2017 Share Posted February 23, 2017 Congrats on the 225 I love mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeW Posted March 5, 2017 Share Posted March 5, 2017 Jim, How are you powering on your amps without a power switch, right now I have mine plugged into a power strip and turn the strip on and off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joshnich Posted April 2, 2017 Share Posted April 2, 2017 Thank you for this thread. I put my MC225 back into service and wow what was I thinking. This is one sweet power amp. This thread also forced me to order a new c22 preamp. Cant wait. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimjimbo Posted April 2, 2017 Author Share Posted April 2, 2017 Jim, How are you powering on your amps without a power switch, right now I have mine plugged into a power strip and turn the strip on and off.Sorry I didn't see this question before today. I actually ordered some individual switched outlets to plug into a power strip and I can turn them on individually. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CDinMB Posted April 3, 2017 Share Posted April 3, 2017 Jim, Congrats on the new addition and enjoy the sound. Did they convert the screw terminals to banana plugs for the speaker connections? I have a pair of 30s coming in and was thinking of doing that. Can I get a picture of what yours look like? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joshnich Posted April 4, 2017 Share Posted April 4, 2017 Cdinmb I know you asked Jim .... but here is what I use on my vintage amps. I have used them on fishers scotts and macs. They work great. http://www.ebay.com/itm/8pcs-x-Spade-Banana-Fork-plug-Mcintosh-Amp-Eico-tube-Adapters/221341662899?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D40130%26meid%3D1f3fae100c0f4677957927bd9ec2e36d%26pid%3D100011%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D170752980683 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimjimbo Posted April 4, 2017 Author Share Posted April 4, 2017 Josh, that's cool, I answered him earlier today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joshnich Posted April 4, 2017 Share Posted April 4, 2017 Curious, Do you use something similar? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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