McIntosh -- good for show, not for sound, says dealer

@thecarpathian Spelling police LOL. Sure glad I do not own one cause I sure can't spell it.

In early 2017 I purchased a Nuforce STA 200, based on a mag review. After owning it for a month, with 24 / music running through it, I sold quite a number of power amps, locally, from my collection. A Mac 2105, with the wood case, was one of them. Compared to the Nuforce, it was muddy, spitty, edgy, closed in, and distracted me from my enjoyment of the music. Of course, I never had it serviced, although I did replace the speaker barrier strips with nice 5 ways ( that was not easy ), and replacing the power cord with a 12 gauge I made from HD stock ( very easy ). Cap replacement needed ? This comparison in my system, and many others, had me sell many amps from my collection. An audiophile acquaintance nearby owns a 452, and he LOVES it. I personally prefer dc coupled designs....

A MC2105 is between 45 and 55 years old.  They were produced from 1967 to 1977.  Comparing an unserviced old technology amp to anything not from that era is hard to do.  I will say that a refreshed MC2105 has value n today’s market, not to mention demand.  Can that be said of its contemporaries.  Perhaps why McIntosh has been in business for over 70 years.  The sound is not for all, but there is a huge following for the brand.

An MC2105 in good shape commands a ridiculous premium over its original retail, but if you own one it makes some sense. I think that it's foolish to pay what most sellers are asking if it hasn't had documented service, including at this age replacement of capacitors, and even transistors. If that maintenance is done, it is a pretty amazing amplifier, and holds up very well against a number of modern competitors.

Sitting here listening to my new MA8900 paired with a Roon Nucleus and Sonus Faber Olympica Nova V speaker setup. Fantastic combo. Oh, and for the haters, I’ll put my Rolex Explorer II I’ve owned for 20+ years and traveled all over the world with up against any watch for aesthetics, precision, and durability!