Heard McIntosh 275 For The First Time.


One of my friend was kind enough to loan me a Mcintosh 275 amp yesterday and that had given me the opportunity to benchmark the tube amp with my solid-state amp for the very first time in my own system. I had high expectations on the unit after reading mostly good comments here from current owners, and I have not left disappointed.

When the amp was unboxed, I was shocked to notice that it weighed like an elephant given its small size, and I found difficulty in carrying the amp and putting it into place. I felt that my Plinius SA-100Mk3 amp although a much larger looking beast, was much easier to handle with the presence of two handles at the front and rear of the amp.

The Mcintosh had all stock tubes and I was informed the amp was a Mark 4(serial number VN1956). The markings on the side panel where the power socket lies had worn off a little. I was told that this is normal as when carrying the amp, the hand would grip on the side panels causing the text to wear off. Does any 275 owners experience the same thing?

When the amp was powered up for the first time, I wasn't too impressed as the sonic signature was more or less similar to my Plinius SA-100Mk3. The amp was hooked up to an ARC LS-16 preamp driving PMC LB1 Signature speakers(I'll try it on my other Proac speakers when I have some time later). After several listening sessions, I began to appreciate the finer qualities of the 275. The first thing that grabbed me was the bass. It was much fuller, tauter and went deeper, in fact too much of it that I needed to lower down the volume and crossover point on the subwoofer. The bass quality of the 275 was at a higher level and as such the integration between the main speakers and sub is now more seamless.

The next notable improvement was on vocals. All I read about the smoothness of tube amps had proven to be accurate. Harshness and digital edge on vocals were eliminated as voices took an organic feel which was pleasant to the ears. Apart from this improvement, I felt that control and refinement of the 275 were superior to the Plinius amp as the overall sound was presented in an unforced and natural manner. The sound of instruments in the background was also more distinct and precise.

Overall I am quite satisfied with the performance of the Mcintosh and find it to be an excellent unit. I read that the amp will take a whole new level if the stock tubes are replaced to high quality tubes (although I'm not too convinced of getting a significant improvement). Now I am having a dilemma whether to consider getting this 275 as I still love the sound of my Plinius amp. No doubt the Mcintosh offers a higher level of performance with a wee bit of control and refinement that are synonymous with most higher-end units, but the Plinius comes quite close. I think I would have to listen to the amp a little longer and decide if it should end up permanently on my hifi rack, a difficult decision I would say. Nevertheless, one thing is for certain. The Mcintosh 275 is a great unit that has opened up the door of many possibilities by giving me a taste of high-end.
ryder
I used to own a Plinius SA100Mk3. It is a very nice amp and has tube like sound. In Class A mode is very sweet but I lost some bass output when in this mode. After awhile this amp just didn't have me toe tapping and found it to be quite sterile and thats when I switched to a tube amp. I have never owned a Mac but I can understand why Ryder really liked the Mac. I am not bashing Plinius at all but a really good tube amp with fairly efficient speakers can be very enjoyable :)
Ryder, I feel that your assessment of the 275 is quite accurate. Everything you said I find to be true and I love every minute of it
It's an Amazing amp, after all these years still a solid hard to beat class B performer. The stuff of legends.
While the stock MC275 IV is one hell of a musical amp with it's stock tubes, one can significantly increase the amps resolution and musical attributes by replacing all of the stock tubes to begin with. I swapped in quad matched Genalex KT88's and NOS Mullard CV4004's and CV4024's and the stock tubes sound lethargic and confused/diffused by comparison. Also of interest is that if one uses the SE inputs that installing Cardas XLR caps on the unused XLR inputs increases resolution and image solidity. I imagine the reverse would be true if one were using the XLR inputs as well.

Of course, a really well engineered amp stand and upgrading the power cord also go along way to wringing out all this musically complete/superb amp has to offer. Don't forget the fuses as well :-)