I will never part with my Pioneer SX-1980 receiver that I purchased new back in 1979 and it is still in use to this day 🎶 I still have the original box.

Great video! and thanks for the pre-amp video too. I want to buy equipment and have a decent audio system at home for the first time in my life. Finally! I got the money now and a lot of sealed records.

I have a MC-2105 and I will never sell it or replace it with another. It's probably the best power amp I ever had, and I had quite a few, from Crown to Dynaco, from Vincent to B&K. The previous to the MAc was a Classé CA-400 (400 watts /8 ohm per channel) and I noticed I was paying attention to "sounds" instead of music. I have mine paired with a Conrad-Johnson PF 2 preamp and it is the most musical, enjoyable, non-fatiguing set up I haver had. NIce video, by the way. You got a new subscriber.

Coda Continuum 8 amplifier. Took me a long time to find this diamond and it’s staying w/me for as long asI’m still kicking. Thanks

Great video! I’m a fan of what you’re doing. Like you, I have McIntosh pieces. They are MC2155, MC2002 power amps and C26, C31V preamps. They are lifetime components for me. Components I had in the past I regretted selling are: Crown IC150A, D150A pre and power amps. Also Marantz 3200, 140 combos. The Marantz were beauty’s as well. Very good looking pieces.

I had quite a few different McIntosh pieces but I very much regret selling a pair of mint condition MC754 power amps.

My B&W CDM7SE and the iFi Tube2 pre-amp. They are magic! I also like my old HCA-1500A Parasound amp that buzzes a bit but still works. I am also very happy with the Parasound New Classic 200 pre-amp.

I have this Mc2505-c26 and AR3a speakers. Sooooo sweet. Nothing compares to vintage audio!

I had the mc2505 as well, also the mc2105 and the mx110...I enjoyed them all but the one I really regret having sold is actually the2505...it was so musical and indeed everyone that got to listen to it was very impressed by it's sound..indeed tubelike was often the comment that was made first...I had a technician replace the loudspeaker terminals with modern ones on mine which made it simpler to try different cables with it...

Thank you for all the excellent information and everything you have mentioned is worth remembering. I have the same amplifier which I purchased with MX112 tuner preamplifier as many owners back used MX112 to pair them up. There is one more area we all need to be careful and that is the headphone jack area on the glass. Many times the black background wears out or flakes off in that area. Sometimes you can fix the missing black areas like bubbling, with pasting black vinyl electrical tape or something similar which will not let light go trough so you don't need to spent like $200 for replacement face plate from a place like Audio Classics, New York. Another thing could improve is to remove the cage, there are several screws you need to remove as with many other similar Mcintosh eq., like MX112. I wished they just had some kind of push in and pull out type contacts at the chrome chassis base. And lastly I never liked the black letterings printed on chrome chassis as they are very easily erased off especially over the age, they tend to become way dried up. Yes, Mcintosh does holds value. I sold a nice MC240 back in 2000 for only $1,000 and that was about the right going price at that time. Now, they are around 3-4 times. But some Mcintosh gears will not appreciate that much, such as MX112-5 or even MC275 in some cases. It all depends on the models and demands. The conclusion is with any Mcintosh gears, we just need to treat them with TLC.

I have a MC2505 paired with the MX113 preamp...beautiful walnut cases mint..with boxes and the pamphlet flyers and instruction books! Also have the original mcintosh speakers sold with the system. Boxes for those as well...with the speaker grills still in the factory plastic. Crazy stuff

Great video, thank you, we know what do you mean, specially for a Vintage Mcintosh lovers. I do own MC2255 with C-33 and don’t think will ever part with.

Enjoyable review of your MC2105 amplifier. Thank you. I purchased my MC2105, along with a C27 preamp and a MX113 preamp/tuner, all with the walnut cases, from a friend who seldom used them, in the mid '70s. All the units look and perform "like new". I recall, that at the time, the $350 that I paid being a heavily debated decision to do so. The MC2105 and C27 have been in daily use for the past 20 plus years, providing stunning audio to two zoned areas of my house. The units have performed remarkably other than some transistors replacement in the 2105 perhaps 15 years ago. The MX113 works flawlessly, I just don't have it in service as i no longer have any use for FM radio. Like you, I'll never part with the units, until my estate gifts them to my sons. I recently replaced the original light bulbs with LED bulbs (big improvement) and was certainly nervous re handling the glass fronts. Great idea re the speaker wire connectors. I just ordered them through Amazon.

So I just got the MC 2505 and planning to hook it up to my McIntosh MX113 pre amp. Amy recommendations?? I'm all about my turntables. I need a speaker suggestion also.

Geat video...Thanks. I learned a lot. I'm interested in using this power amp to give my Pathos Hybrid 70 wpc inegrated amp a bit more juice to handle some relatively inefficient mini tower speakers. I don't need much additional power because my listening space is on the small side.. 20 ft x 22 ft. This McIntosh will provide me more than enough power. 2 questions for you or the views/owner's of this power amplifier... Can you be a little more specific about how this unit sounds? I'd be buying this amp on spec..won't be able to audition it. My Pathos Hybrid amplifier sounds on the warm side of neutral. I don't want this combo to sound like a tube amp...I own a tube amp now..I am looking to preserve the hybrid tube/ solid state sound of of my Pathos..Amp. My goal is to get more of that sound...a bigger 3D soundstage...more clarity and detail.. better imaging, etc It may mean that I should look at power amplifiers that are around only 50 wpc..I don't want a power amp that will dominate/minimize the overall sound of my Pathos Hybrid Integrated amp. I want the Pathos sound to be the 'star of the show" This power amp might fit the bill because I listen to music at a round 60-65 dB maximum..but IDK. I welcome & appreciate any well informed opinions. Thanks.

I was waiting for you to get around to the heavy part. I love mine anyway.

Ive the non faceplate version of your 2505, the Mc250. Mine, like yours, discontinued in 77..mine ( i had a pair) bought NOS/NIB my senior year of college..January, 1982. Sold one in 90, still have the other.

What kind of banana plugs do you recommend to work well with these gold spade adapters?

Thank you for the video if I owned a McIntosh receiver or amp I would gush too 😊 when I was a senior in high school I went into a stereo shop in Enid Ok that sold McIntosh equipment I was blown away. They were playing Gary Wright Dream weaver I will never forget the salesman’s comment that power is Fidelity! I’ve had an Onkyo RX-SR608 home theater receiver for about 14 years. It’s great for home theater but lacking when playing music at 100 watts per channel it seems weak. Last summer I purchased a vintage Sansui 7070 wow I love it. At only 60 watts per channel it blows that Onkyo out of the water when it comes to playing music. I don’t think I’ll part with it.

I own omd 5 mirage surround speakers I would like to pass along to one of my kids. They are unique looking and sound wonderful for rears in a home theater.

I got this one. It is beautiful.

Thank you

Buying one tomorrow! It has the replacement glass. Sadly the headphone display doesn’t shine with the replacement glass. Bulb works fine but the glass isn’t transparent there I guess? All good tho. Pretty excited!

Such a good looking amp , I've been looking around for an amp/pre amp combo for my r3 and i have my eyes on a Mcintosh 2125 with C-26 (old school) but im not sure if that combo would match

I had a TEAC CDZ 500 cd player that I bought in a sale, just when black hi-fi was becoming fashionable , for £250. I sold it for £80 3 years later when I needed quick cash for a house move.I regretted selling it but now I have Roksan Kandy KD1 Mk3 .

The sometimes harshness in the upper freqs of CDs? That's why I use an equalizer.

Thanks for the video. I have the same amp. I love this system and will never sell. MC2505, C26 and MR73 paired with JBL's Olympus C50's. I'd like to downsize on the speakers to something that doesn't take up so much space. Also wondering on thoughts of going with new speakers versus vintage. Anyone have an recommendations?

Regretted selling a MC2300, was a great offer in fact more than I paid for it but still regret it. Currently own a MC352.

I have a McIntosh MA5100 I bought new in 1972. I’ve had it serviced several times over the years to hopefully keep it up to spec and it continues to sound wonderful. I will never part with this amp!

I'll ask you something crazy: how Macs and Prima Luna compare to Cambridge Audio AXA25 at moderate volumen level? Sorry, but in my audiophile journey I'm in a point where I've started thinking some new budget amplifiers are as good as expensive ones. Maybe only self illusion :)

Good video, I really enjoy this content. I have the following McIntosh set up throughout the house. 1. A MAC 1700 Receiver pair a Pioneer CS-G403 2. An MC2205 with a McIntosh C26 pair with a Mc XR1052 tower speakers. 3. An MC2250 with an Mcintosh MX119 pair with a B&W CM9. 4. An MA352 Tube Integrated pair with a Focal Aria 936. I also have the following. 5. A Parasound P5 with a Parasound A21+ pair with a Focal Aria 936 6. A Denon Pra1500 with a Denon POA 2400 pair with a Focal 714 7. A Sony TA-1AES pair with a Martin Logan Clarity. My wife told me that I could only keep one. I don't know which one I should keep. Please help me decide

I have three McIntosh systems, two of them had the same preamp and tuner, (the MR 71 tuner and the C22 Frank H McIntosh commemorative preamp) that are in the bedroom and family room. I like the older preamp’s that have the two turntable connections. The power amp is a MC 275 Gordon Gow commemorative in one of the systems and in the other is a pair of MC 1201s and an extra MC352. My third system is a movie set up. It has an MX 130 with a six channel amplifier MC 7106 and two laser disc players MLD 7020. There is a Mc CD player in each system mention above along with two Thorens TD 124s and two Linn LP 12 turntables. All of my speakers are Mc speakers that includes a pair of XRT 28. Even though I have not mentioned everything, I would never park from any of it.

Great Video, I just recently Inherited an McIntosh MC 2505 as well as a C 26 pre-amp. they belonged to my brother in Law, my nephew gifted them to me after his father passed because he knew that I was an audio buff, Lucky Me. when I used to visit I was so impressed with the sound that came from these components, he used Bose 901 Speakers and a MK Subwoofer, and a couple of Yamaha surrounds when in home theater mode. I am looking forward to hooking things up and I was wondering if anyone could direct me to a tutorial for hooking this up.

I regret losing my Sansui 777A (used as pre-amp), Technics SE A3 power amp, Thorens TD125/SME/Ortofon turntable and Martin Logan Aerius speakers due to a major life upheaval. Saddest day of my life. On the other hand I lost the wife that day too, one of the best days of my life, in theory. But it's the audio broke my heart.

I've been on the hunt for a McIntosh power amp for a while now, preferably from the 90s-00s to go with the C-15 pre amp my Dad has along with his Carver gear. One of the local hi-fi shops had a used MC-162 for $1700 and I regret not being able to afford it at the time. That was four years ago and used McIntosh power amps go on sale in my area very rarely because of course their owners tend to keep them for a very long time. My goal is to build-up my own Mac Stack and acquire each component one piece at a time as funds allow it. As far as my own gear I have a NAD 3020 integrated amp, the original model from the late 70s, bought for only $100 back in 2018 and cosmetically in mint condition. Paired with the Klipsch KG1 bookshelf speakers (in a nice oak wood veneer) I paid $80 bucks for, it sounds real nice. Those pieces are keepers.

I just had my MC2505 refurbished and I would never sell mine either. Other units I have that I would never sell are as listed. Marantz Model 19 Receiver, Dual 1229 turntable, Teac A-6300 Reel to Reel.

Hello friends. I have one 2505 but i´ve been hunting a faceplate glass with no sucess. I thanx in advance if someone could indicate one (where) do buy.

I have a Marantz 2325, and Klipsch K- Horns , and a Pair of Klipsch Belle’s, that I run on B-channel. I’ve had it 30 years ect and don’t plan on changing it ! It still can stop your Heart ! Doesn’t take a lot to run the Klipsch to Live Bar room levels of volume ! Yep I’ll be rocking this till I pass onto the big Concert in the Sky !

FYI - the connector/adapter, you mentioned you 'unscrew and can stick raw cable in or banana plug' - The hole on the right angle of the adapter is made for banana plug insertion, no screwing/unscrewing to insert thru top needed.

Just wondering if anyone ever heard of warming up your solid state amp before playing music? I had my McIntosh MA 6100 repaired and day I picked and fired it up it ran perfectly for about 10 minutes. Then the left side went low volume and distorted, (same problem as the first repair). The repair tech asked me if I warmed up the amp before playing which I didn’t. The tech said you alway need to warm up old amps. Is this true or is this bull crap?

I have a MA 6100 Integrated amp. and a MR 73 Tuner. which I am keeping til the end.

J'ai un Mc 250 + un C 26 ça sonne à merveille.

for me, that is my Threshold Stasis 2. I've owned a 2505 and a C28, both restored and they never did anything for me

It's 105 watts RMS per channel, according to the manuals. I own one and a C28 preamp, best audio equipments I have ever bought.

How does it compare with the 6900 soundwise?

Just based on the price alone...I'd want to keep it forever. That being said, if it works and fills the mission, no need to replace it. They are built to last. I have a 1988 Carver M1.5T that was great as is, but got totally overhauled with 1% parts by Hi-tech audio in Washington. The clarity, detail and dynamics are stunning. No need to replace it with anything.

I sold a MC2155 to buy a MC240 have the MC28 pre amp. Also have the Sansui AU9900 I'd sell it to get the another MC2155 (all day every day). Between the MC240 & the MC2155 running with a MC28 I can't answer that in all honesty it would do my head in.

I have the same amp, but need it restored. Audio Classic is in its future. 😅

Regret(S) Oh Boy. The biggest regret sell was the N.E.W. P-3 tube preamp, made by (Cary Audio). Beautiful performance, The secondly was the Anthem Amp 2 se hybrid amplifier.

Does anybody in the community here know how the Macintosh 2505 Power Amplifier compares in sound to the MC122 (slimline) Power Amplifier? I have not heard either one. Both amps are solid state. The MC122 was manufactured between 1998-1999. I think the amps may sound quite different..the classic...vintage McIntosh amplifier sound versus the newer and more refined& detailed McIntosh amplifier sound. Neither sound is better than the other..They're just different from one another. I guess it comes down to what type of sound you prefer. Thanks

So, some of the amps and receivers I will never sell include include my McIntosh MC-2105 amp (the 2505s big brother that also came out in 1967), McIntosh MA-6100 integrated amp, Pioneer SX-828, Technics SA-600, Sansui 7070, H/K 330c, and Marantz 2238 receivers, Denon PMA-830 and PMA-757 ( my favorite...audiophile quality sound). Now, as for McIntosh SS amps having a tube like no fatiguing sound, what I can say from experience is that it's really hard to differentiate the sound between a Mac tube amp and SS amp. They both have the McIntosh "HouseSound"! One reason I believe is something you didn't mention and something that most McIntosh SS amps share with their tube counterparts and most other tube amps. That is the "Autoformers" that couple the output stages of the amps to the speakers themselves isolating them from the output devices, whether they be tubes or transistors ! In this way the the amp sees a constant load impedance and is not affected by the varying speaker impedances, which I believe has an effect on the sound!

6 years ago , I did Unfortunately sold my Rosita PI Dac and my Goldmund Telos 390 integrated amplifier… Everybody learn from mistakes…

Regret? I sold my Pioneer SX-1250 when I joined the Navy in 1981. I bought a Tandberg TR 2045 to take its place and that receiver traveled all over the world with me and I’ll never sell it.

I am a bit of an electronics hoarder because I love the industrial design too much aside from being able to enjoy music. That being said, I'd never part with the following gear: - Marantz 2270 receiver - Pioneer SX-D5000 receiver - Akai GX 77 reel-to-reel deck - Akai GX F66R cassette deck - Nakamichi RX-202 cassette deck - Denon DP-45F fully automatic Quartz lock direct-drive turntable - Harman/Kardon FL-8380 CD player deck with Burr-Brown DAC's There are other far better pieces of gear out there, of course, but those are some of my favourites that I have used regularly.

My McIntosh C26 and MC 2300 will never go any where!!

I have the matching MR-73 and C26, feeding a Dynaco ST-70 tube amplifier. Won't sell those ever. Also a H.H. Scott 299C Integrated Amp and 350B Tuner (all tubes - which I have fully restored) - As well won't sell ever. Enjoy your MC2505 I'm sure it will give you nothing but pleasure :)

Sold Marantz 10B, Acoustat 1+1's Medallion mod, and VPI HW19. If I had it to do over again... nope.

You need to order the boxes to ship these things. You don’t need to be an engineer (I am one) to understand the impact of a 100 lb mass can create. Look at our phones…one drop can cost a glass replacement and a good phone protector is good insurance. Shout out to Audio Classics in Binghamton NY they shipped back my MC 2205 200W amp after repair in the approved triple box shipping design. If you need to ship these electronics, purchase the approved boxes. There’s your dinner!

I would never sell my McIntosh C28 because in 1974 I worked the full summer to save $650.00 to buy it. My mother was not happy with me spending ALL my money on one thing. It has been serviced and is still in use in one of my systems.

i would never part with my kenwood kd500 turntable with the AT1005 mkii tonearm and denon 103 mc cartridge.

I would not sell my McIntosh 2505 either. I had mine refurbished as well. Also I have a McIntosh MC240 Tube amp and a Marantz Model 19 receiver I would never sell either.

1- factory new glass is available; 2- if you don’t want the glass to break get an original McIntosh shipping box. It’s available easily and the glass won’t break (I’ve shipped old Mac gear in original boxes and the glass was fine). I do own a McIntosh tuner made in 1973, bought 8 years ago for $750 with an original wood case. I’m never selling it

McIntosh C-28 pre-amp: wish I'd never sold it.

Should have never sold my Bang & Olufsen Beosenound 3200 :(

I've got a MC2100 that will never leave my house

Got a mc2105, 2014, with cabinet. For 1K. It ain't going anywhere!

mc7270 and c29

I serviced these and am VERY DISAPPOINTED in the quality of the components in the amp. The transformers are absolutely first class but from there all goes downhill. The controls are all consumer grade. The switches are a common fail point in these old amps, needing at least contact cleaner to get them solid again. The volume controls are cheap consumer grade, not the military type AB or J sealed type. The resistors are all cheap carbon composition type and in the old amps have drifted in value noticeably. The electrolytics of course MUST be replaced. It's quite a major job to restore one of these to top condition so this must be considered. Can you do it or do you have someone to do it for you. The amp is a transformer coupled output type, which gives flat response at full power down to below 15 HZ. The high frequency drop off is beyond 30 KHZ.

My daily driver.

Until you hear a Class A Luxman.

I have 2105 and I'm not going to sell ít too

I wont ever sell my rsl Alpha 1 A speakers.i probably buy more speakers than most average joe.

Sorry buddy Mac jumped the shark when they went SS. My old tube stuff is the bomb

I will never sell my fully restored Sansui AU-717 integrated amp.

If you need a kidney, I will trade you for this amp. LOL My forever amp may be my Harman Kardon PM-650 that my wife bought me in 1984. I will put it's specs against any amp.

If you own it, there are no cons. It's yours.

Solid state? ... Sacrilege!

Useless vidéo, we can’t listen to it…