This model of McIntosh doesn't even have the blue meters lol. And considering non-sonic attributes, the McIntosh amps will hold value a hell of a lot better than Prima Luna. They'll basically never go down.
Mc 240 vs. Prima Luna
Good morning all, hope everyone is well and ready for the holidays.
I may need someone to talk me away from the ledge. (fairly normal state for me these days).
Story is this. I have been saving to add a second McIntosh 240 to my system. I have one now that does a fine job powering my Klipsch Heresy IV's. It was recently refurbished by Audio Classics in Vestal NY. (by the way, can't reccmomend them highly enough, especially Ryan).
Anyway, I'm getting close to being able to pony up for the second 240. Plan is to bridge them in mono and have 80 WPC effectivly.
However.... I have been reading much about the Prima Luna's. Modern.. Warm... ability to roll several tube types.. sweet mid, good low end..
Do I stick with my original plan, get the second 240, (built in the US, tank like construction, known sound and cool factor).
Or do I chase the neat new shiny Prima Luna's ?
Any thoughts are welcome..
Doug
- ...
- 36 posts total
@russ69 "Although mono-blocks are better than stereo amps, bridging a stereo amp is not the same thing as a pure mono-block amp." I agree, the key point is bridged amplifiers are not the equivalent of a true mono block pair. In addition as the late almarg would politely explain, bridged amplifiers will see 'half' of the speaker's impedance. 8 ohm becomes 4 ohm, 4 ohm load becomes effectively 2 ohms. As a result, the bridged amplifiers are asked to drive a more difficult impedance load. Better to obtain genuine mono block amplifiers. Charles |
Yea, just not with 240s in parallel or in series, you can run the 240 and 275 EITHER way. A MC275 were made for Klipsch Honestly a MC240 stacked is for PA, it will run the speakers just fine, they just won’t be the sweet sound of a MC240. They are VERY special one way but not EVERY way. They like 8-24 ohms too. They just sound better. 50 years with Mac, I’d be changing back to a MC275 before the bill started to fade if I was looking for true Mac sound.. Or better yet try a Cary V12r.. LOL Second best amp I’ve ever owned.. What a wonderful amp AFTER I worked it over.. I love it.. I’ve had VTL 750s and 1250 Wotons here a few times.. I’ve listen to a LOT of amps and did a lot of work on others.. A real nuget is a MC225 with just a PS upgrade and a few PIO caps changed for some of the non MPWs but NO yellow pollies.. They use MPW metalized polypropylene, DON’T you dare change them. They are the wonderful sound of the little MC225 amp.. Just make sure on the resistors and check for tolerance in the caps.. Virshay coppers are a GREAT resistor.. Pure (?) too I think it’s Pure.. Regards |
I've heard the nasty downside of bridging, with solid-state amps which I loved in stereo mode (Phison A2.120 SE), and they lost their sweetness in mono/bridge. But tube amps can be a different story, probably in part because you can change taps to manage the different impedance. Also they won't just "double down" the current & power while straining the PSU and output stage. My VAC switchable mono/stereo tube amps sounds by far the best in mono. But @oldhvymec has experience with the MC's, doesn't like bridging them, and that trumps theory. So that's a solid vote against mono/bridging the MC240... |
| Post removed |
- 36 posts total