2. amps-preamps
  3. 1178254103

Sound of Mcintosh MC275 vs. MC7205 thx

Hi Folks-
I've been using an Mcintosh MC7205 solid state amp and love it - just having been using it as a stereo amp until I get the rest of my speakers. I have an MC275 Mk4, which I was going to use for my reference system, and hooked it up to compare it's sound with the MC7205. I was surprised to find that I much prefered the sound of the MC7205. Channel separation and soundstaging seemed much better, and the bass was much more lush. Perhaps there may be some cabling issues with my MC275 that I need to upgrade. For a preamp, I am using a Rotel RSP-1068.
I would appreciate any of your thoughts on this. I am kind of befuddled, because I thought the MC275 would sound as full and lush as the solid state MC7205.
- thanks for any wisdom,
Ted.
lovepianos
mrtennis
3,295 posts
 
hi nsgarch:

you have more experience with this amp than i do. i have about 25 hours of use. how does the amp change, sonically, over time ?, after 300 hours, does the amp sound more robust, with less treble emphasis.

what about the tubes, you mentioned a bunch of 12 volt tubes, without specifying what you or your friend's experienced with each tube.

i would like to reduce the treble energy and get more emphasis upon the upper bass and lower midrange, as well as create a more distant presentation. any ideas ?

thanks
nsgarch's avatar
nsgarch
2,524 posts
 
Tennis, are you driving your amp with balanced or SE IC's?
mrtennis
3,295 posts
 
nsgarch, i am using single ended interconnects to the preamp.
nsgarch's avatar
nsgarch
2,524 posts
 
Tennis, the most sonic bang for the buck is replacing the 12AX7's -- V-1,2,5. (If you run balanced, V-1 is out of the signal path, that's why I asked ;--) For a beautiful, well rounded sound with air, sparkle and detail, I'd recommend Telefunkens. If you want a little more dynamic, muscular sound (but still refined) I suggest the RCA blackplate-longplates.

If you want to change the 12AT7's V-3,4,6,7, I'd suggest Telefunkens (RCA's there are a bit too much of a good thing.) If you want to change the power tubes, the KT88's, either the Penta KT88SC's or the Russian re-issue Gold Lions seem to be the most popular. Both provide a little more power and dynamics. I prefer the Pentas.
mrtennis
3,295 posts
 
hi nsgarch:

i am not looking for more dynamics, detail or sparkle. i am looking for a more euphonic sound--laid back, attenuated on the top and a peak in the upper bass/lower midrange. think slow and syrupy.

i bought the amp because i need power. however, it seems to be too "neutral" for my taste. is there another set of kt88s i could use ?
More to discover