McIntosh MC2500 Solid State Amplifier - Collector Set - Rare Black Finish

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The cleanest MC2500 we've ever seen - period!

We received two units from a local audiophile, and they're so clean and tidy we decided to keep one for our in-house "Holy Grail" collection.

This MC2500 was bench tested to its full rated power capabilities using our custom test load equipment, where it passed with flying colors all around.

We then cleaned all the controls, changed whatever bulbs looked tired, and boxed it back up in its original packaging.

Most of these units we've come across are usually pretty beat up - partly because of their weight (hard to move around without banging into things), and because they were often used in bands and pro audio applications requiring a super powerful yet reliable amplifier.

The faceplate is super clean and the meters are bright, clear, and responsive. The controls are all smooth and silky.

The chassis shows a few scuff marks around the metal rails, but the top cover schematics are in beautiful shape (and so cool).

Please see our photos for full technical specifications. 

McIntosh MC2500 Owner's Manual

Our Testing Process for Amplifiers (Solid State) at SkyFi:

We start with a visual inspection of all internal components to make sure there are no signs of stress or aging. Capacitors are checked for telltale sings of bulging or leaking, resistors are checked for signs of overheating or cracking, and transistors are checked for signs of stress or damage.

We then power up the unit carefully and run a simple 1k sine wave while monitoring the output on an oscilloscope for signs of distortion or noise. Finally, we run the amplifier to its full rated power into the appropriate resistive load provided by our Sencore amplifier tester. If there is an issue, it will usually be noticeable at this point. If everything reads clean, we will often test for THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) measured by our Keithley distortion meter, and compare it against the original manufacturers specifications. The amplifier then remains powered on to "burn in" on our test bench for a few hours to make sure there are no heat related issues. If there are balanced inputs available they will be also be tested.

Final testing involves pushing actual music thorough the amplifier. We've learned over time that some issues are only noticeable to a trained ear while listening to familiar source material. Our test bench has reference vintage Kef speakers that we're very familiar with which quickly reveal any discrepancies. Some amplifiers will then move into our listening room where they are tested with our in-house reference speakers of choice.

Please click here for detailed specifics regarding our specialized packing process that separates us from the rest.