Would McIntosh Auto Transformers affect speaker sound?


I have a question about McIntosh and its auto transformers. The auto transformers allow the wattage to be the same on all ohms. However, you have to pick which ohm to run on the amp to the speaker.

Since a speaker can be dynamic in ohms (dip between 8 ohms and 4 ohms typically), does this mean the McIntosh will not correctly match the dynamic range change? Would it cause the speaker not to give the same soundstage or holographic sound that a traditional amp would give? 

dman777

You can call me shat you want but I have McIntosh from the preamp to the speakers. C2700, MC611, XR100 and they sound superb. The only thing not McIntosh is my turntable which is VPI.

I for one have a hard time taking audio advice from anyone who can’t even spell McIntosh correctly in their shouty posts…

That said, call me a fanboy, a dummy, a fool. I don’t care. I love my McIntosh C12000 pre, MC611 monos and MCD12000 transport/DAC. Puts a smile on my face every single time.

@crustycoot +1 on the ESS AMT - 1 towers! My first Real Speakers…

Autoformers are a real advantage in many circumstances. I have never owned a Mac but used the Paul Spetz autoformers for years to match various tube amps to exotic impedance loads (mostly successfully). 

McIntosh solid state amplifiers with autoformers have had a distinct sound to my ears since their inception, in my experience of listening to them at various times since 1972. Warm, not overly detailed, with the earlier versions sounding thin in the highs (eg 2105). I don’t understand efforts denying that such an addition to circuitry has no sound. It’s like denying that differential inputs to an amplifier bring no change in sound, etc.

Simmer. Sorry, your skin hasn’t been toughened up yet. I, like all the MAC fans have an opinion, sorry.  I reread his post to make you happy. Mac fans are very loyal but their equipment is not for everyone. I can’t say the auto former is the problem. Engineers might be able  to explain the benefits or weaknesses. If it sounds good to you, that’s all that matters.