Home Vintage Asylum

Classic gear from yesteryear; vintage audio standing the test of time.

Re: Costs would be high because - rant!

I can only speak for the MC275. The original 1961 version retailed for $444 and was made through the late 60s. In today's dollars this would be $2900.
The latest version of the MC275, the MKIV is a new design that shares the original chassis size with many changes. The price of the new amp is $3500.
If you take an original MC275 and replace all of the critical resistors, all signal caps with modern poly type, and all power supply capacitors you will have a very good sounding and performing amp that will make over 80 watts per channel with NOS or modern SED, EH 6550/KT88 tubes.
The new MC275 shares much with the original in that the transformers are wound on the same equipment and the design staff is the same McIntosh engineering group as the original. Roger Stockholm shared in the new design with Sid Corderman.
The new amp uses larger transformers which just fit in the original sized cans. Not a lot of tar is wasted on these. New transformers use modern insulation on the wire VS the old style lacquer which can short out over time especially with any vibration. The transformers are tapped for 4,8, and 16 ohms stereo or 2,4, 8 ohm mono. The new design is now 490 volt and typically puts out 90 to 95 watts per channel.
The new chassis is polished stainless steel which can not rust like the originals. The 275 now has balanced inputs, DC heaters on the input tubes, and uses a mix of 12ax7 and 12at7 small tubes in place of the 12ax7, 12az7, 12bh12 and 12au7s used on the original design. An on/off switch and removable IEC type power cord is now used.
In place of the mix of boards and wiring used on the original the new amp uses a single board which has the tube sockets, ceramic with gold pins, mounted directly to the board. This design enhances signal to noise as it eliminates all of the little noise causing antenna wires. The new amp is ratted at -100 db SN ratio where the original is rated at -90 db.
The original MC275 is rated 16 Hz to 60 Khz and the new version is 20 Hz to 70 Khz. The new amp has its boards loaded on an automated through hole machine and uses very tight tolerance parts and poly caps.
Sound is something which must be judged by the consumer. The new MC275 is selling at a faster rate than the original did at any time in the 1960s so some are voting with their wallets.
If anyone is in the area of the McIntosh factory, Binghamton N.Y. or would like to visit please call ahead 607-723-3512 and make an appointment for a factory tour. The process of taking raw material to finished product is very interesting and more of the new MC275 is built in house than the original from the 1960s.

Ron-c


This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:
  McShane Design  


Follow Ups Full Thread
Follow Ups


You can not post to an archived thread.