Idontknow Posted March 19 Share Posted March 19 I compared the two here for those who may be interested. I mostly covered their sound characteristics. 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Warren Posted March 19 Share Posted March 19 Agree with your assessment. I would not purchase a McIntosh product today. McIntosh's best days are behind them. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schu Posted March 19 Share Posted March 19 5 hours ago, John Warren said: Agree with your assessment. I would not purchase a McIntosh product today. McIntosh's best days are behind them. Hear hear... Is the st70 even or odd order harmonics? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dude Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 7 hours ago, John Warren said: Agree with your assessment. I would not purchase a McIntosh product today. McIntosh's best days are behind them. So wouldn't a more fairer comparison be to compare to a restored vintage MC275? 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derrickdj1 Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 There is a difference in the sound of vintage gear compared to modern tube gear. The old gear is a softer and warmer style amp compared to a more detailed modern amp. Old and new McIntosh 275 amps don't sound the same. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opnly bafld Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 9 hours ago, derrickdj1 said: There is a difference in the sound of vintage gear compared to modern tube gear. The old gear is a softer and warmer style amp compared to a more detailed modern amp. Did you read this somewhere or do you have a lot of experience with old and new tube amplifiers? Also what do you consider vintage? Before solid state? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avguytx Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 I definitely enjoy my Dynakit ST-70 that's using a pair of older 7199's plus a matched quad of JJ KT77's, which is what Kevin from Dynakit likes and had recommended. I have no complaints with it and it sounds spectacular running my quite upgraded/modified Speakerlab SK's. It also sounds great on the Klipsch Epic CF-3 v1's. I'm sure there are some things that could be changed on it that might eek out a little more from it but not sure I'd really hear them. But I'm definitely glad I decided to keep it. I wish it wouldn't have made the picture so big... 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OO1 Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 12 hours ago, derrickdj1 said: Old McIntosh 275 amps don't sound the same. yet , they're not too far apart , if properly recapped with a revised power supply . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ole Dollar Posted March 21 Share Posted March 21 Idontknow, I did enjoy the review and the passion for our hobby, always nice to share. I too have a ST-70 and it is stock, I enjoy playing it. In comparing it to your ST-70 it's easy to see how modified it is including the solid-state rectifier. The important thing is you are enjoying it. I agree with The Dude on doing a vintage-to-vintage comparison and I would suggest the Mc 240, instead of the Mc 275, which is closer to the ST-70s output capability. Disclaimer: I have Mc 240s and Mc 30s and have yet to hear any modified ST-70 that I would prefer. I'm willing to learn. The ST-70 Hafler circuit is pretty amazing but the McIntosh circuits with the Unity Coupled transformers are the ones that make me happy - thanks. 6 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fwphoto Posted March 23 Share Posted March 23 I had a friend early on that had a full McIntosh setup (Preamp, Power Amps, Tuner, Speakers, the whole setup!) that sounded absolutely super & I really wanted to get a McIntosh system myself. No way could I afford even used McIntosh gear. Years later I put together my tube system through the Garage Sale section here on the Klipsch forum: Forte II speakers, Dynaco ST-70 amp, Dynaco PAS-3 preamp & even my Thorens TD-160 turntable. My St-70 was pretty original but eventually converted the 7199s to 6U8s & substituted a matched quad of KT-77s for the EL34s. Now, I don't remember how good the McIntosh gear sounded but I can't believe it was much better, if any, that the Dynaco gear with my Heritage Klipsh Forte Its. Just sayin', Frank 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Klipsch104db Posted March 23 Share Posted March 23 https://quicksilveraudio.com/products/horn-mono-amp/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KT88 Posted April 1 Share Posted April 1 I'm very happy with my 2002 MC275 MK IV, it has better OTs than the Commemorative model before it, plus the classic speaker binding posts. It sounds wonderful, even if it is built on a PCB and not point to point. The biggest technical difference to the MK VI is that the feedback loop on my MKIV is in front of the OT, so it's classic. The MK VI has the feedback loop behind the OTs. Ron C, a longtime Mcintosh employee had explained this in another forum. Supposedly this produces a better damping factor. I haven't heard it yet, according to reviews it sounds "cleaner" stronger bass etc.. But I really like the classic sound of my MC275 MKIV very much. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ole Dollar Posted April 28 Share Posted April 28 This thread made me want to hear more of my stock ST-70. So moved it into a room by itself with a pair of RF-3 II’s and using an iFi DAC have been really enjoying the sound. The ST-70 was my first tube amp and I still like it. It is running RCA 7199’s and SED EL34’s and have not heard this amp with Mullard EL34’s so there’s that. Any way hope all are enjoying their systems. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Idontknow Posted May 4 Author Share Posted May 4 I personally think the EL34 NessTone's have the sweetest, warmest, most pretty sound which is a phenomenal match for Heritage speakers. Ironically they are the least expensive too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ole Dollar Posted May 9 Share Posted May 9 Thanks for the tip, I did some research as I had not heard of that brand. Will order a quad to check them our when current tubes die. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woofers and Tweeters Posted May 9 Share Posted May 9 Okay, I am going to have to get my ST70 in the queue. I have an Audio Research SP8 preamp that might go well with it. @Audio Flynn, do you still have your Audio Research SP12? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avguytx Posted May 9 Share Posted May 9 I've been using my ST-70 pretty religiously for the last 4 or 5 months on my modified Speakerlab SK's. It's all those speakers really need as far as power goes. But, coming into summertime, I'm not really needing a tube amp to help heat my upstairs room so I've been looking for/at smaller SS amplifiers to run them. Only other power amps I have are a 250wpc Rockford Fosgate RF2000 and a 460wpc Carver M-1.0t MkII Opt 002. But they do sound good on them, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psyduck 103 Posted June 4 Share Posted June 4 On 3/19/2024 at 2:09 PM, John Warren said: Agree with your assessment. I would not purchase a McIntosh product today. McIntosh's best days are behind them. As a 50 year electronics tech that repairs vintage HIFI in my retirement I have seen a lot of McIntosh equipment cross my bench. The ONLY thing they had was their output transformers. That they patented. If you look at a Mc240 they used 10&20 percent tolerance resistors. They also used cheap tube sockets and capacitors. BUT they chrome plated their chassis so all is forgiven. They stole that idea from E.H.Scott. Their early tuners thanks to Mr. Richard Modafferi however are still among the best ever made. I own a Mr66 and a Mr78 and would never sell them. Their new stuff is meant for dentists with money burning a hole in their pocket. I mean turntables that the platter lights up in color and huge blue meters .As Charlie Brown would say, Argh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Warren Posted June 4 Share Posted June 4 I'd say that McIntosh used the assembly methods and parts distributors typical of their peer competitors. I agree there's nothing particularly special about their amps other than a somewhat unique output transformer design, i.e. the Unity Coupled Output transformer. Even here however I'd be hard pressed to hear a difference when comparing to other excellent amps of the era. My favorite amp from the late 50s early 60s is later production HK Citation IIs, the units with the Stancor or Magnetics Windings output transformers of which I have two in my own gear. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ole Dollar Posted July 25 Share Posted July 25 On 4/27/2024 at 7:47 PM, Ole Dollar said: This thread made me want to hear more of my stock ST-70. Maybe a little on the embarrassing side of things to write but I added a Douk T8 Pro as a preamp for the ST70 and it is doing a great job helping the lows and highs. First time I really think the ST70 is better than just good, the bass is much better. Makes the RF3s sound pretty amazing so there’s that. And no not trading in the McIntosh stuff. 😊 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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