Garage digging: how I found 4 McIntosh amplifiers in 3 days

A few weeks back, I found myself digging through a garage and managed to pull out three vintage McIntosh amplifiers. Then, just days later, I found another McIntosh amp in an antique store. I thought I'd make a video about it.
00:00 - Introduction
04:29 - Garage digging for McIntosh gear
11:06 - And one more McIntosh amplifier from an antique store
13:59 - MC2100 vs. MC2105 McIntosh amplifier
16:48 - MC2200 vs. MC2205 McIntosh amplifier
19:32 - Which should I keep?
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If you're new to my channel, what you can expect from me is a vinyl collector's approach to the jazz genre. For years, I've only collected vintage pressings and prioritized originals of Blue Note, Prestige, Savoy, Bethlehem, Riverside, New Jazz, and more classic labels. Lately, with the resurgence of the medium and more collectors coming to the space, the music industry has taken notice and prioritized putting out high quality reissues of some of the best albums ever recorded. Subscribe to my channel to watch me navigate how to rationalize how I used to buy vs. how I buy vinyl records today.
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[@anthonysmith4449]

My advice to you: Keep them both for now. Hookup the 2205 in your system play it for about a month. That way. If it blows up, you still have your old unit. After a month, switch back to your old amp. If you find yourself wanting for 2205, you have your answer. Playing the 2205 for a month will give your more confidence on the unit when or if you decide to flip it. Oh, I forgot to mention if you decide to sell it I might be interested in it. The 2205 is the first amp I audition when I was a teen and been in love with Macs ever since.

[@stevenclobridge7047]

What have you decided to do? or have you...haven't seen another video.

[@tonyharrison2542]

What a fun dilemma to have there WCB. I believe you should keep it simple and not complicate things or make it a burden. Pulling in another person and determining how to perform and execute a series of legitimate blind tests, in my view just complicates things and is not necessary. Above all, embrace and enjoy the process. After lots of listening to both units, I'd keep the one that most sounds like a live event (or concert) and that YOU enjoy most, call it a day, move on and lastly happy listening.

[@charlesf2804]

I agree with you about the weight factor of McIntosh equipment. Besides a Mac preamp, I have a pair of Mac monoblock amps (MC501s) and really like the sound. The only reason I'd get rid of the amps would be that I could no longer manage them physically; as I get older that becomes more of a possibility (91.5 lbs each!). Congratulations on your finds. Will look forward to seeing where you land with everything.

[@lloydgreen4091]

I had a C-26 With a 2205 Bought knobs to match them up. You'll kick yourself like with the Tuners getting rid of the 2205. You'll make more than enough flipping thee other Mac Gear to afford knobs. Keep the Originals in case of resale later --No Brainer.

[@robertendsley8312]

You should get one of those “Little Bear” switches. Plus they have UV Meters!

[@jothanankrogh]

I literally never saw or heard of any mcintosh gear existing locally, then two turned up within a few weeks of each other. I was able to buy a mc2105 in what seems to be fully working original shape, but likely due for the usual capacitor updating. I still have my eye out for the other unit that surfaced, a mc6200.

[@jimmy67RS]

Wow, good for you! Nice find.

[@sjakovics]

Sounds to me like you want to just stay with the 2105. Just do it! We won't tell anyone.

[@kyleseifert3892]

power amplifier/pre amp separates are generally considered an upgrade from an integrated amplifier. How justified the reasoning is is subject to much debate. Less cross talk between component stages I suppose.

[@roscoejones4515]

Nicely done! Bonus: you got an interesting video out of it! I also see you got the new Sam records, my three from AS will be here tomorrow.👍

[@philipketchum1407]

If you have not had your 2105 refurbished it may not sound as good as it should. Could explain why you hear a difference between the 2105 and 2205. They both are very old and probably not to spec.

[@greigmulberry]

Very nice. I lucked into an MA6600 about a year ago which I was going to sell and keep my Rega Brio. But I got suckered into hanging on to the Mac, mainly because of its looks, I hasten to confess. I haven't done any serious A/B testing yet. By the way, ready yourself for the fevered Mac nuts who find this video and begin posting comments with sentences that begin, "Um, actually..."

[@PaulClay46masonWV]

2105 refurbished 2500 bucks

[@kuglepen64]

McIntosh is nice. Vintage McIntosh is double nice.

[@PaulClay46masonWV]

McIntosh 2100 sells for right at 2k

[@knish72]

Digging's not dead

[@kayausiu8090]

I shall be your first customer if you want to sell one of them 2105+C26.

[@PaulClay46masonWV]

These people selling this stuff or throwing it away, must not know what they have. Any of those would have been worth spending 1k to have repaired correctly. Audio Classics in NY or a number of authorized service providers.

[@stevehead365]

You are plugging these units into the mains without any clue as to the state of the internals. Any explosions? Tubes redplating? For safety and to prevent damage to the amps, In my opinion they should be given the once over by a competent amp tech before being switched on.

[@vincentrockel1149]

He should probably at least build a dim bulb rig.

[@1byte4]

You should sell them all to someone who knows and appreciates them fully and just buy a modern amp that look shiny.

[@aaroncarter603]

Cool story bro

[@hennievangalen3789]

Only hipsters are 'vinyl collectors'.