What is the BIG deal with the Mcintosh MC275 tube amplifier MK6? 

I decided to rush out an extra video wishing everyone happy holidays! Do you prefer the newer or older sound and why?

Several things I have garnished over the decades is that McIntosh does not overvolt the heaters in their equipment. This alone will make the tubes last longer. Also their transformers are second to none. And the components chosen are chosen for the sound and extreme longevity. The toughness of these things are legendary. For example I recovered a mc75 that was used as a road amp for decades then was under water in the 2010 flood in Nashville Tennessee for around 45 days and left muddy under my shed for another 2-3 years. I literally hosed it off cleaned it and then baked it to get the water out of the transformers. Tested it for faults replaced the original tubes in it and ran it up slowly on a varaic and it worked! I did rebuild the power supply and replaced a few questionable parts. But simply Wow these things are tough. You get what you pay for.

For as long as I can remember, I've always loved the look of McIntosh gears. I remember going to the Montreal show with my uncle as a young adult and seeing the McIntosh displays, I mean it was a superb light show, and the sound was so good. I never owned one of their gears, maybe one day! Great video Thomas, as always!

Greatly appreciate this video, you’ve brought a solid honest approach to the amps and their sound and this exposes many who may not know, to other McIntosh amps beyond the signature blue metered products

Merry Christmas, Thomas, and thank you for the gift this year of exceedingly well considered information wrapped in your friendly, engaging and intellectually respectful demeanor.

Excellently described. Greetings and Merry Christmas Thomas - to you and yours.

Thanks for this very interesting comparison and Happy Holidays from Chicago!

Thank you Thomas for a great comparison It is very nice to hear your impression on how they compare to other tube amps. I have 2 Mc275 Mk V I am guessing they sound between the MkIV and MkVI I run them in bridged mode as mono blocks, the base is amazing for tube amplifiers. Another great video thank you for the work and lugging the heavy amps around.

Beautifully spoken with endless elegance. I think what you are describing in regards to relatively less expensive equipment is in the transformer construction especially in the hand windings. My father used to build amps in the 1950s and transformers have enormous impact. A Marantz Stereo 35 power amplifier was his favorite. It had the El34 tubes the same as many other designs but the Marantz transformers were spectacular

Thanks for the comparison. They both look gorgeous.

Dear Thomas! Thanks for the Christmas present, your video. I like audio very much, but I also see your videos for your input(well known/informed) in audio, but also for your stand/demeanor, you look like a very very decent person. Would love to have a glass of Porto. Best regards, and thanks for having a RU-vid Channel.

The 275 has always been one of my favorite amps. Glad you made this video. I only have heard the last two 275 models, but have seen them for many years. The 275 sounded so good on B&W 800's. The looks are definitely a selling point. The build quality is very good. I would probably still go for a line magnetic 219 if I could ever find one for sell through a reliable source and 60hz compatible. I love the way that tube amp/integrated looks with the tall chassis and utilitarian appearance. Not much power, but I'd not get a tube amp for power. Nice video!

Best versions are the first Gordon Gow Commemorative reissue that has improved components but stays true to the original build (point to point wiring, etc.) with magical tone, and the Mk 5 in the modern sound. Good matching with preamp is crucial (C46, C47, C49...) and there is a definitive advantage by design to use the balanced input, which most users ignore).

Hay Thomas, thank you for a informative video, I was looking at purchasing a pair of the Macintosh MC275 MK6. Now I can put that money towards a better preamplifier. Thank You.

You’ve hit your stride Thomas. Merry Christmas:)

Thx for the Christmas vid Thomas. You expressed the differences really, really well! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to You and Yours! Ouuu just got to the end and see that you using a set of speakers by one of Canada's finest speakers mfg's Think you should do a video on your Verity's.

Great Job Thomas thanks for the video and happy holidays to you and Your family Buddy 😃 PS finished 75 percent of the Marantz review today 😃

Thanx ! As usual excellent informative and entertaining review !! Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas !! I suppose testing a Triangle 40th Anniversary Comète ( with a tube amps among others ) is probably wishful thinking!! Bill from France

Bravo, a great review. Mike gold

That’s a good example using the cars to explain the feel difference. I’ve learnt a lot playing with cheaper gear, but you’re absolutely right, it helps you appreciate what the higher end stuff does even more. Merry Christmas Thomas!

Awesome video.

Thank you for this video. You always pack so much in your work, that I have to listen to it more than once! I hoping to hear your low powered amp review you mentioned as a possibility about a week ago (maybe comparing them to the Synthesis A40 and Leben cs600x as a bonus!). 🦄 Warm and tubey is what I want. Thanks Thomas! 😊

Best reviews on the net. Merry Christmas to ya…s

Thomas i have mc275 6 th gen and mac c2300 tube pre amp they make my klipsch La Scalas sing great reviews brother thankyou have a great holiday season

Thanks Thomas 😊🙏 happy holidays

Happy Holiday, wish I can listen to your Mcintosh+Verity system.

great video, and I agree.

Thomas - I bought the Willsenton R8, based partially on you positive review and a couple other’s, and as my first real amplifier…it is amazing. I don’t have a ton of experience with other amps, and cannot afford to do a bunch of experimenting. I trusted your opinion and was not disappointed. I am going to have this amp for a long time. In fact, it may be the last amp I ever buy. Most future purchases will likely be around speakers to go with it. Thanks for lending us your expertise!

It would be nice for you to do a review on the MC152 and MC312 amps as well. I just ordered the MC152 to play my Focal Aria speakers. Will hopefully have this amp in about a week.

The thing with the Mac is that you can easily sell it if you want to. The Chinese amps are a great value performance wise but if you decide to sell it could be harder to get your money back. Also, sometimes you do want your system to impress and Mac has a lore, a look, and a recognizability that is hard to deny.

Hi Thomas, Merry Christmas, FYI, Santa was nice to me, he put a Cayin A88T Reference tube amp under my tree :) Gold Lion KT88's ...I think I'll be pretty satisfied for a few years! Cheers, Mario

Thomas, you must really love your instant noodles! Happy New Year, and keep up the great reviews (with more instant noodles references)!

Love the review, as usual you do a wonderful job. I would enjoy seeing the MK6 against something like, the Audio Research VSi75 integrated, Pathos twin towers, or the PrimaLuna 400 evo.

Brian Wilson passed his music threw a 275 and rerecorded it. A legend with a legendary amp

Great informative content Thomas! Next time when I try new amps/speakers to myself. I have a better idea of what to look out for. Hope your content would always stay this way. I never fail to look forward to click on your new videos :) Merry Christmas and a Happy New year to you Thomas and family :) PS: Is there any chance you would consider reviewing soundbars like the Sonos Arc/Samsung HW-Q950A/Sony HT-A7000? ^^::

Nice to have the scratch for all that great gear. I had the original 1960's version with original Gold Lion tubes & a C20 going to VOTT speakers (forgot the model as I'm old, the huge ones for the Living Room). Unsure how it would compare to a newer version as all are gone. I used it on good speakers (12" drivers) at 1 point & literally tore them apart so you need speakers that can handle the power if you crank it. Few beat a MAC!

Excellent share & i thank you

Thx for the video Thomas apreciate it very much! If we are talking about 4 cylinder what about that 2 liter turbo WRC one? Just kidding have a nice Christmas...

Excellent discussion as usual Mr. Thomas! Although I personally do not have any interest in Mcintosh products, I thought you explained the details and differences very well. Interesting... Maybe it was the sound level, but if memory serves this amp sounded *WAAAAAAAY* more laid back than what I remember the Doge 10 demo you played! BIG frigg'n difference! But, I'm sure the subtlety is there. BTW, I still haven't taken the Ayon Orion II out of the box yet. Too scared... 😳

my experience as a guitar player who is familiar with tubes I like the original version. BTW , Merry Christmas

Great review Thomas, very detailed in breaking down how these 2 amps differ. Quick question what are the name of the tubes Mr. Kanta replaced in the MC 275 VI in this review ? My short story and how i became a Mc fan. the local dealer nearly 10-12 years ago had MC 275 but unsure what model it was. im quite sure it was the current version at that time. Ran with Mc tube pre amp i don't recall but it did have the blue meters on the front and Mc cd player running to Focal Diablos in a smallish room. It really blew my mind. The decay, the separation of instruments, the floating in the air of each instrument wide sound stage on jazz fusion and some vocals. That system stuck in my head this whole time. Now im afraid of the newer stuff as i feel it might not sound as holographic. The tweeter in the diablos back then was a little more high pitched then the current version diablos making it a match made in heaven matched to that version of the 275. So im afraid if i go out and finally get this systems current offerings i wont get the sound i heard that day. Thoughts on what you'd do? The dealer is no longer in business so it would be tough to track down the model of 275 used back then. Another great tube system is the VAC pre and amp. More coin needed to spend on but man, very holographic i recall

I always buy NOS tubes vs. new production tubes. I have seen many new tubes fail in a year or so vs. old tube still working after decades.

In 1994 I bought a brand new matched pair (consecutive serial #’s) of McIntosh MC275 Gordon Gow Commemorative Edition amps, immediately installed new-old-stock small signal tubes, and ran them for 20 years 100% trouble-free. I used them in both vertical bi-amp on my difficult to drive Martin-Logan Quests and in 150 watt mono block configuration. BTW, you strap, or parallel the channels on a MC275, not bridge - that’s a SS thing. I greatly preferred the mono configuration probably because the MC275 meets spec at 150 watts into 2 ohm loads, which many high end speakers, including my M-L Quests, hover around 2 ohms for much of their impedance. I changed out the original three 12AX7’s and four 12AZ7’s (the 12AZ7 tube used on the Gow edition, except for a slightly higher filament current draw, is functionally equivalent to the 12AT7 currently used, and easier and cheaper to find on the NOS market) because they simply sounded much better than the Chinese tubes (Not the KT88’s, though. For the Gordon Gow Edition, McIntosh commissioned brand new KT88’s from Richardson, located and manufactured in LaFox, Illinois.). Upon selling, both amps met spec with the original tubes I installed. Though the KT88s and 12AX7’s tested good, the four Westinghouse 12AZ7’s tested unstable, though still worked in the circuit. That doesn’t surprise me in that the output stage lasts so long because the 12AZ7 driver are driven very hard and are the first to go. When I moved, the Macs and the Quests had to go and I replaced them with a Luxman L-590AxII 30 WPC Class A integrated and Bowers and Wilkins 805 D3’s to accommodate a much smaller space. Thomas, I may hazard that much of the difference in sound you hear between the Mk IV and Mk VI is due to the NOS tubes in the Mk VI. Though I hope he didn’t pay $800 for Eico branded tubes 😳.

Dear Thomas, as usual a superb presentation. As I wrote in a following comment, I would like to hear from you about Primaluna Evo 400 I own connected to a couple of Harbeth SHL5 plus. Thanks!

Up vote as always!!!

Great video, Thomas. What I enjoyed most was your explanation of why high end audio must exist. Excellent, as always.

I like the comparison between at 4 cylinder and V8, when you look inside a high end amps you can see why you paid more, I can see this when a look inside my Audiomat... High end amp sound more pure, more like live music... Cheers!

I have visited the Mc factory in upstate NY and was super impressed with the attention to detail and handmade nature especially in comparison with others considered in same class per the tour lecture. I am not an expert, but it was persuasive.

Thomas, that was just sublime, elegant . Gud on you.

Great Video Thomas. I had some of your impressions when I 1st listened to the 275. It was noticeably more holographic than any of my solid state set ups using the same speakers. But I don't think I'm experienced enough to pick up the other nuances you've described. However, that wow factor wanes as your brain adjusts and the effects doesn't stimulate your senses anymore. DMS recently put out a video on this. Scientifically, it's termed the Hedonic Effect. This why I go back and forth between my 275 set up and a plain but decent SS set up to get the effects back. I don't necessarily agree with those who comments McIntosh gear is used to impress others. Audio is mainly a hobby enjoyed in solitude. 9 out of 10 people I know have no idea what my stuff is even if they visit. I tell them I picked them up at the Good Will Store. It's not like sporting a brash, gold Rolex with ice all over. They see it and don't care. But they give me, myself and I a lot of joy.

Wow, this is really interesting! I did hear a fairly recent McIntosh valve amp fairly recently, and perhaps it's the positioning (which wasn't great), but it felt kind of, meh. Don't know. I also heard a 150k euros setup recently (all McIntosh, all latest versions) and it was much the same. It felt like the spirit was missing. It didn't really feel alive somehow. It didn't pluck my heart strings. Still, in both instances it felt like there was a lot to improve in the setups. Mostly room treatments (which you HAVE done properly). So honestly, I do really want to try a McIntosh amp now. See how it performs with Harbeth Super HL5's. It will be an older model though, since unfortunately, I don't have nearly your financial stretch, but does that really matter? Thanks for this great channel for yet another year! I really enjoy your alternative way of doing things, and giving budget gear just as much time and chance as the more expensive stuff. For me, it really tought me to start looking at the more affordable priced DACs if I upgrade my Naim ND5 XS one day (if it breaks probably)... And happy second Christmas day and New Years! Gelukkige kerstdagen en een fijn nieuw jaar!

Great video Thomas! I have a MC275 mkV. I wonder if it leans toward the mkIV or mkVI. Keep up the great content!

What I use to compare gears is to play Bach Matthew’s Passion, a very very long piece and to see how long I can keep attention to. The budget pieces probably can only long 2 mins top, a very good one can let you finish it

the 2105 is a very nice amp. even compered to modern AVR's

Excellent review as always. Details, but not in the weeds, with user friendly comments. I take a bit of issue with your comment about the power gained from 4 KT88 tubes. VAC, Conrad Johnson, and VTL, to name a few, routinely get 75w or more from 2 KT88 tubes per channel. Yes, plenty of amp mfr pull less watts, but it's not rare to get significantly more like the authentic and McIntosh. Regarding PrimaLuna, their amp is designed to be used with the EL34 tubes, though it allows KT88 usage. Much like Decware, the higher gain tube is not being supported to pull higher watts.

I would love the Macintosh mc 2301 mono blocks

When I was purchasing my Macintosh amp., I was leaning towards the MC275, but I was persuaded and convinced to buy the MC 75 instead based on two separate amps, two dedicated powers and transformers would be a better choice, made sense to me. Your insight on the sound characteristics , presentation etc. on MC75 vs mc275 would be greatly appreciated. Happy Holidays from Troronto!!!

First of all...great video ! I would love if in a future vidéo (sorry to Make you lift so many things...) you can compare the sound of Mc Intosh (PCB board) to Prima Luna (point to point wiring) at the same price point ? Does it really Makes a difference ?or is Kevin Deal lying to all of us... ?🤣 Thanks

Having had an original m275 and recently listened to the mark 6, a good analogy is comparing a vintage classic sports car to a modern sports car. A vintage car has a look and feel that modern cars lack. But a modern car will outperform the classic in acceleration, handling and braking. A modern is much easier to drive. But people who own classic cars complain that modern cars are less engaging and require less skill to drive. If you love the classic mcintosh sound then you won't like the mark 6. To me the classic m275 was dark, colored with booming bass. Compared to what was around in 1960s and 1970s it was well made, reliable, with very smooth forgiving sounding. However compared to modern tube amps its slow and lacks fine detail. In contrast the mark 6 is a modern tube amp that looks like a classic 1960s amp. Modern amps provides much more fine details of music but also reveal the flaws in recording. Which some listeners don't like. I personally prefer the modern neutral detail sound. Which is why I sold my vintage 275 years ago. But again you decide for yourself.

Great video. Since we’re talking vintage amps, have you ever listened to the super-old Fisher tube equipment? Like the 500C, 800C, or the X-100? If so, what are your thoughts?

i sometimes buy ANOS tubes. almost new stock...not new but test well.

Merry Xmas ! 🎄 Enjoy all your videos. Wondering how does the MA252 compare ?

Cool product very sexy amp! I’d you ever get a chance to hear Viva amps from Italy they are quite special. I like their 845 monoblocks.

consider the 7581A if you like KT66 or KT88 sound.

Always appreciate your videos, although I’m still years away from an MC 275, I was wondering if you feel an MC2100 would be a good introduction to McIntosh, despite it being solid state… it seems to be a solid amp if I can get one in good shape :) but will I get that McIntosh color and warmth?

I use to have a pair of ML4C's.

Very insightful review Thomas. Did you use a D100 as a preamp?

Suggestions for the company name, use a {first name} followed by either Labs, Studio or even more mysterious chronicles. So if you use you name for example, the name of the company would be Thomas Chronicles and then the product name.

I have never owned a McIntosh tube amp, but I'm familiar with the design. As I understand it, the special design of the McIntosh output transformer and output stage allows McIntosh to get away with running the tubes at a cooler bias than most other tube amp designs, so the output tubes last a long time. As for power output, just look at the original KT88 datasheet where operating points were given for 100W per pair, using high plate voltages (close to 600V).

Thanks for the review! I'm looking for an amplifier for Rega Planar 10 turntable and I think this MC275 tube amplifier is beautiful. Do you think they can become friends with Rega turntable? :) How many years this amp can work and how much does it cost to repair it in case of breakdown? Thank you!

Great review Thomas, I've never seen anyone making these comparisons before. I always wondered how much better (If Any) the newer versions were.

Since all movies have so much music Marvel movies so loud so harshness give headaches after the movie!, love hear to them in movie theater and home theater environment

I have solid state McIntosh C 28, MR 77, and 2 x 2105's.

Try the EAR 509 monos for a modern take on Mac unity coupled output stage. Merry Christmas!

You make a video for your audience where you gain no benefits out of your work, you said. It is not much from my side, but I want to give you a big Thank You for the work. A very interesting and insightful video. BR, Joe

75 Watts is not overdriving the tube, it is basically very middle of the road. The tube has a max anode dissipation above 40 watts. In SE application a singe KT88 can deliver just short of 20 Watts in PP it is 4 times the power.

Hello Thomas it was pretty impressive to know about McIntosh 275. I was wondering what is the best matching speakers for McIntosh 275? I have Bowers and Wilkins 805, 702 s2 and 705 s2. Do you think they will match with it ?

Been breaking in my new MC275 MK VI for a week now. Paired with a ROTEL RSP-1582 processor (Need those HDMI inputs to play SACD, DVD-A, Blu-ray Audio) and a pair of Klipsch CORNWALL speakers. The sound is absolutely amazing. Incredible sound stage. I also believe one of the reasons is using only balanced inputs/output between the pre and power amp. I have delayed my decision on getting a C22 vs C2700 and would appreciate any suggestions from viewers and Thomas. The challenge today is the realization that using physical media and associated players is not compatible with current audiophile gear. I am not a fan of high bit streaming….

Kt150 Amp from cayin vs this McIntosh video would be fun I guess.. 😁

Hi, I been wanting to buy a MC275, is it necessary to pair with a McIntosh pre amp?e.g the C8, in Singapore both add up to be about 20k. I am trying to cut some cost and wonder if I pair with a Schiit Freya ? Will it work? Btw, my current set up Falcon LS3/5A with MA252, nothing wrong just itch to change to something else Thanks

What's funny is, I ordered an MC275 MK VI today...and I also had instant noodles for lunch, haha. That was before I saw this video. The MC275 went up $500 at 5:00pm ET today so I had to beat the increase.

Thomas. Merry Christmas and hope you are spending quality time with your family. How would you compare the MC275 MK6 to the Doge 10?

It was said in olden times...that you needed a suffciently poweful amplifier in order to capture to satisfaction the majesty and power of a grand piano...

Hey Thomas question. I am torn between buying MC 275 versus keeping my MC 8900. Obviously would like to have both but for the sake of keeping my wife from finally kicking me out which one would you recommend based on your enormous experience obviously and for somebody who is trying to get “last amplifier “ :-) thank you

Hi Thomas,thx for all the info.I love the song after watching yr video.Could you share with me who this lady singer is?

Thanks Thomas, for providing a thorough but easy to understand review of the MC-275 MK4 vs. MK6. I would love it if you get your hands on a vintage 1970-era MC-275 (with proper refurbishing) and do a thorough comparison to the MK6.

do you think mc275 will work well with dynaudio focus speakers?

Have you evaluated an AGD amplifier compared to a new Macintosh priced similarly? As a junior audiophile with limitations in my finances cost/ performance is very important to me and I have no female criticising the visual presentation of my equipment.

I was hoping to see a MK 1 to MK 6.....

How would a solid state mc2100 compare in terms of sound characteristics and volume to the 275?

If I had the money, I would buy the MK6 just for the start up show!

I‘d like to propose Croft acoustics gear for your impressions

If you want to change the tone or delivery of the older Mc amplifier to make it sound more modern,Just change out the PIO capacitors to polypropylene,That will tighten it right up....I wouldn't recommend it though.....also the HV capacitors on the older amp are smaller....

If you can, check out the Bob Carver Crimson 275. 75vwatts (conservatively rated) and a 5 year warranty on the tubes! Also, a lot less expensive than the McIntosh.

MK is an abbreviation for 'Mark' as in Mark 4 or Mark IV. Similar to Series 4.

Wow, I think my Fisher from back then was $60. And my knight was like $25, it was a kit though.

I'll give you three thumbs up on this review Thomas! thank you for this review. thanks for debunking the myth that Mcintosh is only for well heeled ignorant buyers! I certainly will be visiting my local dealer to test out the 275!

What Tubes did Mr. Canton replace in the 275 Mark six you mentioned in the video there are so many conflicting ideas online I would love to know what he chose thank you

My experience with tubes are my Fender Guitar amps.

I also owned the MK IV earlier and sold it. To me, it sounds too flat, even a bit dull. It is missing the air and music hall echo. How are they compared to the Doge which also use KT88?