Vintage Audio Review Episode #58: McIntosh MC225 Power Amplifier

In this episode I look at McIntosh MC225 Power Amplifier- its performance and a small repair.
00:00 Introduction
01:43 “Tour” of Outside of MC225
03:58 “Tour” of Inside of MC225
06:49 Measurement Data
14:10 Final comments

[@chk5306]

Oh, what a great Mc225 is ! I owned beloved Mc225 after 2010. I matched it with Audio Research SP8, Linn Sondek LP12 and KEF 107/2. Great sound than any others. I ❤️ Mc225..

[@vintageaudioreview]

Thanks for commenting. Depending on the level you listen at, the MC225 may not have enough oomph for the 107/2's if they are anything like the 107's which I have- at least it would be close for me.

[@robertyoung1777]

My Mac mc225 is the best amp I’ve ever heard. It looses bass when pushed. At low to moderate volume levels the amplifier is pure heaven! I use a Vinnie Rossi LIO as a pre-amp with JBL L100a loudspeakers circa 1980. My favorite source is a Technics 1200mk5 turntable and Nagaoka MP110 cartridge. Blue Glow Electronics has a detailed video on restoration of the mc225. SkyFi Audio has two of these for sale, as of this posting, priced at $10,000 each. Thank you for highlighting this wonderful amp.

[@vintageaudioreview]

Many thanks for the comments. Quite a nice vintage system you have put together. I thought the MC240 sounded better than the MC225, at least the ones I listened to.

[@ChrisBeenDeadInside4WhileNow]

Yeah sky audio is highway robbery . I bought one directly off eBay for 3500$ and it works wonderfully . I'm also using a pair of 1959 H.H. Scott 99d integrated tube mono blocks as well that are quite nice themselves they do about 22WPC but they honestly sound as good to me as the McIntosh . Man old Scott Amps are honestly one of the best buys to this day!

[@AudioElectronicsChicago]

One of the best

[@vintageaudioreview]

Thanks for the comment! I Loved the MC240 that I reviewed, and I hear the MC275 is great, but have not come across one to test

[@rustyshackleford5509]

This amp pairs like a match made in heaven with Klipsch Cornwalls.

[@vintageaudioreview]

It will provide plenty of power for them, for sure- thanks for sharing!

[@TriAmpHiFi]

Surprised , still good/great after all these years. I was entertained. 🔈🔉🔊

[@vintageaudioreview]

Thanks for your comment and I am glad you are entertained by some of the videos

[@johnbrewer2206]

Nice amp, never owned any tube McIntosh gear, I do have a 2105 that I love. I bet that beast sounds great in person. The transformers on that unit are beastly. Killer video!

[@vintageaudioreview]

Thanks for taking the time to comment! The MC2105 looks to be a great amp. I will be doing a review on a McIntosh SS amp before too long, and have a C22 preamp coming in shortly to test. I am considering doing a video on my A/B listening testing of a pair of McIntosh MC30 (MacKit30's actually) tube monoblocks vs a Bryston SS state amp, so I won't comment much about that now....

[@changsoppyon6979]

Thanks for the video. I hear a bit of audible buzz or hum from the transformers of my 225, fully restored, when turned on without any input. Is this normal?

[@vintageaudioreview]

I would say that is normal for a lot of gear- if, by no input, you mean the 225 is not connected to any preamp at that time.

[@robertyoung1777]

I don’t think it’s normal. My mc225 does not hum, buzz or hiss from the loudspeakers. I do hear a little hum from the amplifier itself if I am very close to it in a quiet room. These are fantastic amplifiers - if the hum bothers you it might be worth figuring out what causes it. Blue Glow electronics has a video on restoration of the mc225.

[@dynacoman7363]

You might be surprised at how different the MC225 can sound with different mfg tubes... starting with 1960's RCA Black Plate 6L6GC's and 1960's Tele's or Mullards in V1 (12AX7). Can you identify mfg and version of your very detailed charted test program ? Thanks for posting.

[@vintageaudioreview]

Thanks for taking the time to comment and I appreciate you suggestion. The MC225 is not mine and as I remember I just replaced a few tubes with some "inexpensive" ones. I now own a pair of vintage Mactube amps, but unless they start sounding bad from a tube or tubes going bad ,I would not do any tube replacements to them- am not sure how easy or affordable the tubes you mention would cost.... The measurement system I use is made by Quantasyslum- a QA402, though they have a newer version for sale.

[@dynacoman7363]

@@vintageaudioreview Thanks for test info. If a good 225 costs $3,000.... I would think $500+ in the best tubes (or internal parts) may be appropriate to restore the Magic. Otherwise.. it may sound like you paid $3,000 for an olde worn out tube console.

[@vintageaudioreview]

@@dynacoman7363 The 225 is my friend's and for him it sounds good. He rotates amps around his many systems. I agree that $500 for tubes and parts is not a bad investment on a $3000 amp (assuming you can do the work yourself).

[@dynacoman7363]

@@vintageaudioreviewI don't mean to discourage people from buying and modding 30's or a 225. But... hope they carefully photograph and document their work... and save the original parts to enable a return to stock later. It's only original once... and only about 5500 MC225's ever made. Also... I never judge a piece of gear by hearing only one example. (3) apparently similar 225's can sound completely different. The first " restored and improved" 225 I bought was a Total disappointment... flat, dull, lifeless... wondered why anyone would ever buy one. Then bought a 98% original (slightly rusty) 225. Magical.. Cannonball Adderly was standing out front.. in my living room.. soulfully playing just for me. Learned not to judge by external appearance ... manditory to closely inspect underneath. Dog bones ? check. Black beauties ? check. Rust ? No problem. About 10 items on list. Luckily the new Korean chassis are exquisitely detailed.. and not $pendy. Buying pr of 30's or a 225 is not the culmination of a quest... it is the Beginning of a Quest. A totally enjoyable journey to bring one back to life.. as the engineers at the Binghamton works intended.

[@vintageaudioreview]

@@dynacoman7363 You are obviously very knowledgeable and it is nice to have a discourse here. It is one of the enjoyments I get from having a small channel and being able to interact with viewers, and often learn from them. Will stream Cannonball aderly as I am not familiar with the music, though I am the artist. For me, having the Mackit30's is the end of a quest for tube amps- unless I am at a yard or estate sale and come across a great deal kinda thing. For the most part 30's will be used once in a while- like taking your classic car out for spin. My audio bucket list is mostly full except for finding a vintage SS amp that has nice big VU meters and at least 400w/8ohms. The only one I can find thus far is the MC402. I am open to suggestions...

[@schance1666]

Enjoyed the vid, very informative, thanks a lot. That software is great! I got one of these amps in a trade and will be recapping it, etc. As far as a preamp, I'm a DIY guy, can you recommend a good circuit, maybe something from the RCA tube manual, that would be a good match for this unit? Or what I should be looking for? Cheers

[@vintageaudioreview]

Thanks so much for taking the to comment! I am not a DIYer except for power meters. I don't have any special love for tube gear- as a preamp- unless you are after the nostalgia factor. I would think re are lots of DIY tube preamp kits our there, but it is not something I have looked into.

[@schance1666]

@@vintageaudioreview Thanks for the feedback. I guess I'm wondering what sort of specs a preamp should have to be a good match for the mc225, if there is such a thing. I don't have to do tube, SS is more than fine if its a good match. This is primarily for phonograph. I'm afraid my next question is what sorts of speakers should i get! Thanks a lot.

[@vintageaudioreview]

@@schance1666 I forgot where I said I thought the gain should be adjusted on the 225, but you just want to make sure that the preamp can put out several volts- probably at least 3volts rms. A SS pre will be fine with the MC225's. Speakers- most important purchase you can make and highly personal. I would look at Klispch speakers or maybe JBL speakers that used a horn- you want something very efficient if you are using a tube amp...