McIntosh MC275 - Latest Version - Store Display

Click here to schedule an appointment to visit our store or call 201-879-0000.

Please note this item must be purchased in store and we will not ship under any circumstances. Click here for more information about this policy.

Please support your local McIntosh Dealer.

General:

These beauties are impossible to get these days.

We've got one here that has been barely used in our shop for demo purposes.

Very low hours, superb condition with little to no signs of use.

The MC275 is a dream to own requiring no user intervention of any type. No biasing tubes, not fussy settings, just plug in and go.

Best of all, like a Porsche 911 this model has been evolving and improving for more than 1/2 a century with each version being slightly better, quieter, and better built.

This MC275 is complete and comes with everything as if it just left the factory. It will come in the original incredibly built McIntosh factory box which is the only way to safely ship these heavy amplifiers.

(This MC275 is the latest Generation VI model. Gen VI began production in 2012 and is the current model available today as of this listing in 2022).

Click below to add our recommended matching cables from Kimber Kable, all brand new as SkyFi is an official Kimber dealer.

Kimber Kable - RCA Interconnects - Better

Kimber Kable - RCA Interconnects - Best

Kimber Kable - BALANCED XLR Connectors - Better

Kimber Kable - BALANCED XLR Connectors - Best

Kimber Kable - Speaker Cables - Better

Kimber Summit Series Monocle XL Speaker Cables (PAIR) - Best

Kimber Summit Series BiFocal XL Bi-Wire Speaker Cables (PAIR) - Best If Applicable 

Kimber Kable - Power Cords - Better

More from McIntosh:
MC275
• 2-Channel Vacuum Tube Amplifier
• 75 Watts x 2 channels or 150 Watts x 1 channel
• Unity Coupled Circuit Output Transformers
• (4) KT88, (4) 12AT7 and (3) 12AX7A vacuum tubes
• One of the most iconic amplifiers ever made by any brand

Upon its initial release in 1961, the MC275 Vacuum Tube Amplifier became an instant favorite due to its ability to drive the power-hungry speakers of that time period with great power at low distortion levels. However, as transistors emerged and vacuum tubes became 'old technology,' the MC275 was discontinued in 1971. Thankfully, that is not where the story of the MC275 ends.

It came back into production as a special commemoration edition in 1993 to posthumously honor McIntosh co-founder and longtime president Gordon Gow. The reincarnated MC275 received incredibly high acclaim and earned its spot back in the product lineup. The overall storyline behind the MC275 and its history with McIntosh is exceptionally rich and it has been the driving force behind countless home audio systems for decades. It is hard to imagine McIntosh without the MC275.

Now in its sixth generation, the MC275 has many subtle enhancements from the previous releases that have greatly improved performance. Combined with the widest bandwidth McIntosh output transformer design, the MC275 features tauter bass control and thermally quiet circuit design. The result is pure music. This vacuum tube power amplifier has all the features to meet the needs of today’s music enthusiast, while preserving the qualities that have made the MC275 the most revered McIntosh vacuum tube amplifier.

"Good audio engineering is timeless." - Stereophile

McIntosh Performance Features Include:
• Power Output
The MC275 is a Tube Power Amplifier with a capability of 75 watts per channel into 4, 8 or 16 ohm Loud- speakers with less than 0.5% distortion. It may also be operated in mono at 150 watts into 2, 4, or 8 ohm Loudspeaker.

• Unity Coupled Circuitry
The MC275 Power Amplifier uses the famous McIntosh Patented Unity Coupled Circuit which provides low distortion, extended frequency response and cool operating output tubes.

• Multifilar Wound Output Transformer
The MC275 Output Transformer Windings are part of the Unity Coupled Circuitry. There are two bifilar wound primaries, one for the cathodes and one for the plates. The secondary winding is wound together with the primary windings. This provides very close primary to secondary coupling. The result is flat frequency response and wide power bandwidth.

• Balanced and Unbalanced Input
Balanced connections guard against induced noise and allow long cable runs without compromising sound quality.

• Sentry Monitor Tube Protection
McIntosh Sentry Monitor Tube Protection Circuits ensure the MC275 will have a long and trouble free operating life.

• LED Tube Illumination
Tri-Color LEDs illuminate the small signal process- ing tubes of the MC275. They indicate tube warm up, normal and sentry monitor modes of operation.

Specifications
Power Output Stereo
Minimum sine wave continuous average power output per channel, both channels operating is:
75 watts into 4 ohm loads
75 watts into 8 ohm loads
75 watts into 16 ohm loads

Power Output Mono (Parallel)
Minimum sine wave continuous average power output is:
150 watts into 2 ohm load
150 watts into 4 ohm load
150 watts into 8 ohm load

Output Load Impedance
4, 8 or 16 ohms (Stereo Mode)
2, 4 or 8 ohms (Mono Mode)

Rated Power Band
20Hz to 20,000Hz

Total Harmonic Distortion
0.5% maximum harmonic distortion at any power level from 250 milliwatts to rated power, 20Hz to 20,000Hz

Frequency Response
+0, -0.5dB from 20Hz to 20,000Hz
+0, -3.0dB from 10Hz to 100,000Hz

Input Sensitivity (for rated output)
1.7 Volts Unbalanced 3.4 Volts Balanced

Signal To Noise Ratio (A-Weighted)
105dB below rated output

Intermodulation Distortion
0.5% maximum, if the instantaneous peak power output does not exceed twice the rated power output for any combination of frequencies from 20Hz to 20,000Hz.

Wide Band Damping Factor
Greater than 22

Input Impedance
47,000 ohms Unbalanced
20,000 ohms Balanced

Tube Complement
3 - 12AX7A Input and Phase Inverter
4 - 12AT7 Voltage Amplifier and Driver
4 - KT88/6550 Power Output

Power Requirements
Field AC Voltage conversion of the MC275 is not possible.
This MC275 is factory configured for US Standard AC voltage:
120V ~ 50/60Hz at 3.6 Amps
Standby: Less than 0.3 watts

Overall Dimensions
Width is 21-1/2 inches (54.6cm) including Cables
Height is 8-1/2 inches (21.6cm) including feet
Depth is 12 inches (30.5cm)

Weight
67 pounds (30.5 kg) net
75 pounds (34.1 kg) in shipping carton

Shipping Carton Dimensions
Width is 22 inches (55.9cm)
Height is 14 inches (35.6cm)
Depth is 16-3/4 inches (42.6cm)

McIntosh MC275 Owner's Manual

The SkyFi Testing Process for Tube Amplifiers:

We start with a visual inspection of all internal components to make sure that there are no signs of heat stress or damage. Capacitors are checked for telltale signs of predictive failure including bulging, shrunken wrappers, or physical leakage. We also inspect resistors and other passive components for signs of overheating. If tube arcing has occurred in the past we can usually spot discoloration on the output tube sockets. On vintage units we often spot check select capacitors for value and ESR.

If the amplifier passes visual inspection, we move on to a full test of all of the tubes. We use an Amplitrex AT-1000 Tube Tester which is capable of testing both emission and Gm with a high degree of accuracy. We document the results of each tube and replace any weak or suspect tubes before proceeding. When we power on tube amplifiers for the first time we usually use a variac and current limited AC supply and slowly raise the voltage up to nominal mains level while monitoring plate, screen, filament, and negative bias supply voltages where applicable. If everything is in order we feed a low level test signal into the amplifier’s input and monitor its output on an oscilloscope across an 8 ohm dummy load. At this point we are just looking to verify basic function and confirm that the output transformers are not damaged. Once we have verified that the amplifier is safe to operate, we connected it to full mains power. For fixed bias amps we set the bias to manufacturer spec. For cathode biased amps we monitor the plate to cathode voltage to determine if the output tubes are operating in a safe range. Once the output section is verified we move onto bench evaluation.

We start by feeding the input of the amplifier with a low level 1KHz test signal, slowly increase its amplitude while monitoring the amplifier’s output on an oscilloscope for signs of noise, clipping, distortion, or improper channel balance. We continue increasing the signal level until the amplifier reaches clipping. At this point we take an output power measurement and compare it to the spec sheet of the amplifier to verify proper performance. We finish off the bench evaluation with a 1KHz square wave check and a 20Hz to 20KHz sine sweep to assess the amplifier’s frequency response characteristics. This battery of tests will usually reveal if the amplifier has any issues that need further attention.

Before the device leaves the bench, we perform a listening test with actual music using a variety of preferred test tracks. Our benches are outfitted with familiar monitor speakers which help us identify inconsistencies that will not always show up on our test gear. The main things that we are listening for are hum or noise with no signal present, proper center image, clicks, pops, or any other obvious undesirable audio characteristics.

If the unit passes all of these tests it is moved to our long term testing rig where we simulate real word operating conditions for 6-8 hours. For tube amps we like to run this test at least twice. This allows us to monitor the unit for signs of thermal runaway or intermittent issues that only crop up when it has fully come up to temperature. We find this step to be essential, especially for vintage units.

Item	Included
McIntosh Box	Yes Included
Manual	Yes Included
Remote	Not Applicable
Cables	Yes - Power Only
Physical Condition (Info Here)	9 / 10
Working Condition	10 / 10

 

Click here to schedule an appointment to visit our store or call 201-879-0000.

Please note this item must be purchased in store and we will not ship under any circumstances. Click here for more information about this policy.

Please support your local McIntosh Dealer.