2. analog
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Mcintosh MA2275 what's better

I listen to mostly rock but love all music if it's good.... I'm looking for options in the tube integrated realm because of space ( apartment ) also I don't listen at loud levels. I love my Mac but I miss the sound of my classic Audio Research gear I owned in the past. ARC's integrated is on my list. One specific problem I have with the Mac is that drums do not come alive, Just a hair too laid back.
Thanks.
128x128lesvan
etbaby
138 posts
 
Before you do any tube rolling, what have you done to improve the acoustics of your room? What have you done as far as speaker positioning? Changes here may give you massive improvements in sound quality at practically no cost.
jloveys
226 posts
 
I have both MC 275 and ARC VT 100. With all tubes changed with Telefunken and E.A.T. ( KT 88 ) the Mac sound us more refined and dynamic. Plus the vol. attenuators allows to direct connect ( S.E.) the phonopreamp to the amp, it makes it a wonderful analog amp. Also the XLR connections for line preamp makes it one of the most flexible amps available, can also be transformed into a 150 Watts monoblock just with a switch. This is for the MKII version, the MK3 dropped the attenuators, witch IMO is sad for the vinyl setups.
tzh21y
1,654 posts
 
I agree that the amp with the attenuators is the one to get. They also have the gold plated xlr connections which were also dropped. I think the Mark 1V is the one with all of the goodies and earlier models. I can see where he is saying that the Mc's have a laid back sound compared to ARC. It to me has a fantastic musical presentation. Much better than almost everything I have ever heard. Maybe it could be something else in your system that needs tweaking.
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