Thanks for another review of a "classic" piece. You must have a great group of friends to get the very interesting equipment you measure and report upon. I think this may have been McIntosh's first solid state piece? I have the MC2505 (have had since high school and I'm in my mid 60's now) that I believe is really the same circuit and the MC250? I always find it interesting that McIntosh continued to go with the output transformers even when they "moved" to solid state. Some say that gives these a "tube like" sound. I don't know, but my MC2505 is "smooth" but maybe not as "detailed" as current amps? I think replacing the caps would have allowed this piece to perform better? But still, as old as this piece is and maybe never have been serviced in 60 years???? it's amazing some still like the "sound" of this vintage guy. Thanks again!!!
Thanks so much for taking the time to share your thoughts. We are about the same age. Glad you kept your 2505. The MC7200 I reviewed a ways back did not have the output xformers. I am not a big believer in "tube" sound from what I have done a/b testing on- see the one video where I did an a/b test between solid state and tube amps. They typically measure different, but can't always translate that to a sonic difference. You will meet some of my audio friends in about 2weeks where we do an a/b test....
Keep these vids coming, it’s always an eduction. Mind you, another amp I doubt I’ll ever see let alone own :-) but I love the vids about this sort of thing. Thank you
Thanks so much for letting me know you find the videos useful. With some luck you may end up with one of these..but wait a few weeks for a video that may surprise you..
The combined s/n and thd (SINAD) is disappointing. If those two caps were shot/leaking, it suspect many other electrolytic capacitors need to be replaced. Other components may have also drifted in the 40 odd years of life. If the boards really all original it’s rather amazing it works at all. Mcintosh really built these things well. Please suggest to your friend who owns this that it really should be sent in for a full servicing, if possible even to McIntosh itself because it looks immaculate and in physically great condition. You don’t want leaking caps to damage the board or cause transistors to run hot or fail, resistors to burn and damage the board, etc. This thing is worth some money on the used market and moreover, worth servicing and keeping for another 40 years.
Thanks so much for the comments and concern. I would be the guy who would be doing the repair for my friend. The noise level tells me that it could use new filter caps- but does not need to have them replaced. There are probably replacement p/s caps for it. Your concerns are well taken.
Thanks for the great video. I’ve had several Mcintosh amps over the years. I’d like to pick up a 250 thanks again great video as always.
Thanks for taking the time to let me know that you liked it. Hopefully you will find a 250 that is affordable.
Thanks for another review of a "classic" piece. You must have a great group of friends to get the very interesting equipment you measure and report upon. I think this may have been McIntosh's first solid state piece? I have the MC2505 (have had since high school and I'm in my mid 60's now) that I believe is really the same circuit and the MC250? I always find it interesting that McIntosh continued to go with the output transformers even when they "moved" to solid state. Some say that gives these a "tube like" sound. I don't know, but my MC2505 is "smooth" but maybe not as "detailed" as current amps? I think replacing the caps would have allowed this piece to perform better? But still, as old as this piece is and maybe never have been serviced in 60 years???? it's amazing some still like the "sound" of this vintage guy. Thanks again!!!
Thanks so much for taking the time to share your thoughts. We are about the same age. Glad you kept your 2505. The MC7200 I reviewed a ways back did not have the output xformers. I am not a big believer in "tube" sound from what I have done a/b testing on- see the one video where I did an a/b test between solid state and tube amps. They typically measure different, but can't always translate that to a sonic difference. You will meet some of my audio friends in about 2weeks where we do an a/b test....
Keep these vids coming, it’s always an eduction. Mind you, another amp I doubt I’ll ever see let alone own :-) but I love the vids about this sort of thing. Thank you
Thanks so much for letting me know you find the videos useful. With some luck you may end up with one of these..but wait a few weeks for a video that may surprise you..
@@vintageaudioreview Can't wait for the surprise!!! You do great stuff!
@@chrisblock6697 It is an a/b video- I am curious what the responses will be...
The combined s/n and thd (SINAD) is disappointing. If those two caps were shot/leaking, it suspect many other electrolytic capacitors need to be replaced. Other components may have also drifted in the 40 odd years of life. If the boards really all original it’s rather amazing it works at all. Mcintosh really built these things well.
Please suggest to your friend who owns this that it really should be sent in for a full servicing, if possible even to McIntosh itself because it looks immaculate and in physically great condition. You don’t want leaking caps to damage the board or cause transistors to run hot or fail, resistors to burn and damage the board, etc. This thing is worth some money on the used market and moreover, worth servicing and keeping for another 40 years.
Thanks so much for the comments and concern. I would be the guy who would be doing the repair for my friend. The noise level tells me that it could use new filter caps- but does not need to have them replaced. There are probably replacement p/s caps for it. Your concerns are well taken.