2. amps-preamps
  3. 1140525094

Considering a MAC

Hello,

It's time for corporate bonuses and I'm considering the possibility of getting a older McIntosh Power Amp and adding it to my system. I'd have to use the pre-outs of my Cambridge Audio A500 until I save for a Preamp or Preamp/Tuner; but I'm being lured by the light (blue as it may be ;-) )

In particular, I'm looking at the 502, 2505, or a MACSound Reciever to replace the A500. I know a dealer in my area who has fixed MAC for over 30 years who will restore it to factory specs fairly cheaply.

Thoughts ??

Marty
afro18
aball
2,018 posts
 
Yeah, Joe is right. The models you are looking at are decades old and time has moved forward since then when it comes to trasistors, capacitors, rectifiers, etc.

The 2505 is 30 years older than a DNA 0.5! You can't compare them whatsoever.

The MC7100 sounds great but doesn't have meters. The MC7200 (which I have) is fantastic. So is the MC2002 though it is hard to find. None of these amps have autoformers so they are the least expensive - but don't see that as a negative. The 7200 is one of the best sleeper amps so I would recommend you look for one of those. It is hugely powerful too.

Arthur
bigjoe's avatar
bigjoe
693 posts
 
hi marty,the suggestions that aball made are your best bet for good sounding vintage mac amps with the mc7100 being the cheapest priced.

the audiosource amps are really pretty good performers for being budget amps,you get alot of bang for the buck for $200,i have a little audiosource amp in my youngest sons system & it sounds pretty darn good too.

[http://www.audiosource.net/amponea.html]
ecruz
402 posts
 
Aball wrote- "The 2505 is 30 years older than a DNA 0.5! You can't compare them whatsoever."

I wasn't comparing the 2505 and the DNA 0.5 head to head. My point was that for about the same price as the 2505, there are much better amps to be had, IMO.
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