j-malotky Posted February 27, 2003 Share Posted February 27, 2003 Hi It sounds like the favorite McIntosh tube amps are the MC30 and the MC225 by reading the posts here. I would love to get my hands on a few of these amps, but unfortunately, I have not heard either. My question is, how does the MC40 rate in comparison? I see a few more 40s available in the market than the 30s or 225s. Thanks, JM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mobile homeless Posted February 28, 2003 Share Posted February 28, 2003 I heard the MC275 a few years ago making it the last Mac I have heard. Though not a favorite company of mine, although i definitely like their tube amps better than the solid state I have heard, I would think the MC-30 would be the model to own due to the circuit and the tube rectification. I think the MC-40 has already ditched tube rectification by that time. The MC-30 appears to be the sweet deal and I see them come up every now and then. IF it were me, I would wait for these over the other options. I saw an amazing pair go on ebay for 1100 that looked mint. A few years ago and they were much less, falling in the 800 area (well, perhaps this was more than a few years). But I really like tube rectification on the older vintage amps. Mac does have a certain quality that you either like or not like as much. kh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy Landau Posted February 28, 2003 Share Posted February 28, 2003 I think that the MC40's use voltage doublers in the power transformer and the MC30's don't. The MC30's are my choice as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radiohead Posted February 28, 2003 Share Posted February 28, 2003 I have only heard the MC240 and LOVED it. I would really like to get a hold of some MC30's or an MC225 to see how they compare but demoing equipment aint cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt1stcav Posted March 1, 2003 Share Posted March 1, 2003 The differences between the MC-30 and the MC-40 (courtesy of Roger Russell): MC-30 (A116B) Tube. Mono. ELECTRICAL: 30w. Response 20-30kHz (+0.1 -0.1dB). Distortion 0.5%. Noise & hum -90dB. Output impedance 4, 8, 16, and 600 ohms. 600 ohm balanced to ground. 4, 8 and 16 ohms isolated from ground. Damping factor 12 for 4, 8 and 16 ohms. Input impedance 500k. Input sensitivity 0.5V. Late versions supplied with variable damping control. MECHANICAL: Chrome chassis. Octal socket powers McIntosh C-8, C-4, C104, or C-108 preamps. Barrier strip for 4, 8 and 16 ohms as well as 0.5V input. Line voltage tap for 117 or 125V. Audio input. Gain control. TUBES: 2-1614 output, 2-12AX7, 12AU7, 12BH7, 5U4. Size 8"H, 8"W and 13"D. Weight 30.5 lb. Sold from 1954-1962. $153.00 MC-40 Tube. Mono. ELECTRICAL: 40w. Response 20-20kHz (+0 -0.1dB). Distortion 0.5%. Noise & hum -90dB. Output impedance 4, 8, 16, 125, 150 and 600 ohms. 600 ohm balanced to ground and center tapped. 4, 8 and 16 ohms isolated from ground. Output voltages 25 and 70.7V. Internal impedance less than 10% of rated impedance. Input impedance 250k. Input sensitivity 0.5V (2.0V with gain control switched at max). MECHANICAL: Chrome chassis. Output octal socket for all impedances and voltages. Barrier strip for 4, 8 and 16 ohms. Line voltage sw: 117 or 125V. Audio input. Gain control. TUBES: 2-6L6GC output, 2-12AX7, 12AU7, 12BH7. Solid state rectifier bridge. Size 7-7/8"H, 8-1/8"W and 13-3/4"D. Weight 30 lb. Sold from 1962-1969. Last retail price $159.00 And for the stereo MC-225: MC-225 Tube. Stereo. ELECTRICAL: 25w/ch stereo, 50w mono. Response 18-30kHz (+0 -0.1dB). Distortion 0.5%. Noise & hum -90dB. Output impedance 4, 8, 16, 150, 200 and 600 ohms. 600 ohm balanced to ground and center tapped. (2, 4, 8 and 16 ohms in mono). Output voltages 25 and 70.7V. Internal impedance less than 10% of rated impedance. Input impedance 250k. Input sensitivity 0.5V (2.0V with gain controls at dot indicator). MECHANICAL: Chrome chassis. Output octal socket for higher impedances and voltages. Barrier strip for 4, 8 and 16 ohms. Audio inputs. Gain controls. Stereo-mono switch. Can be used for 50w mono. TUBES: 4-7591 output, 12AX7, 2-12AU7, 2-12BH7. Solid state rectifier. Size 7"H, 9-1/8"W and 14-1/2"D. Weight 34 lb. Sold from 1961-1967. Last retail price $198.00 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j-malotky Posted March 4, 2003 Author Share Posted March 4, 2003 Thanks for the replies. I think I'll watch and wait for the right set of 30s. Still do not know how much I will owe uncle sam yet this year, then there is the lawn mower that needs replacing.... JM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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