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In Reply to: RE: Should I trade my Heathkit W-5's for a Mac 2105? posted by sberger on June 15, 2016 at 11:22:30
I have an MC2100 -- it is not a good sounding amplifier, at least as far as I am concerned.
I've heard others besides mine (and their close relative, the MC250). Grainy and unpleasant to listen to (to my ears), even with mellow loudspeakers.
all the best,
mrh
Follow Ups:
they are not particularly good sounding amps. Nor was the matching C-28 preamp.
Yeah, I have one of those, too. Lucky me.
It is borderline awful. I used it for a while early in my SET days but boy was it underwhelming.
In case anyone wonders WHY I keep these things... look at the prices folks pay for them. They're my rainy-day investment pieces; just before I'm forced to live out of a cardboard box & a shopping cart, I can sell em for a few more nice meals...
all the best,
mrh
But when friends come over they love the look of the C28. Just keep the volume low. That is what I do (even after a good re-cap with recommended Terry DeWick parts).
Not looking at it as my 401(k)...
looking for some jazz and a little libations - joe strummer
I had the 26 and I liked the little thing. WHY I got the 28 was a mistery????? Hated it!
The 41 was nice
The thing in this case is value. Price the 2105 is worth a lot more money and will suit his needs because he doesn't have enough HP with 25 watts and 31 after upgrades.Here is a setup with a CJ preamp and a pair of Martin Logan Arias
"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong" H. L. Mencken
Edits: 06/15/16
Who posted that youtube video.
Because I think that was MY amp that I sold. It has THAT crack as well as a new in box faceplate when I sold it off.
background listening while you're watching a football game. :)
Putting a good preamp in front of a boring amp doesn't help much IMHO.
The 2105 needs better caps and it needs bias tweaks as well..It can sound decent in the right setup but not in stock form.The W5Ms will sound much better to my taste, but if you need the power,the W5ms won't manage it.
A good tube preamp helps liven the amp up.Schottky diodes in the power supply along with 100uf film caps across the computer grade filter caps are also a masterful improvement.
"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong" H. L. Mencken
Which is why I put the kabosh on the trade. Sounds like I made the right decision. Thank you.
Thanks. I know that Mac's have very low damping factors, so I'm assuming that might make them sound as you have described to some. Also dependent on the speakers one is using I would guess.
As I have said,a tube preamp makes a world of difference with the 2105 along with changing the power supply caps,especially in the rail.Today's much improved caps have made a world of difference.I'm not saying it's as good as the W5m sonically however,on the right speakers,you will be pleasantly surprised.Look at the condition of the 2105 and whether or not it comes with a wood cabinet..I'm just going from a value standpoint.BTW,I don't like the sound of the 448s like I do the 309s.The thing is,if the W5s are just sitting,they are nogood to you.
"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong" H. L. Mencken
Edits: 06/15/16
The 5's sound great when I do get them in the system.
According to my friend, the 2105(which does not come with a case) has probably only had a few resistors swapped out. Otherwise pretty much bone stock. So if I understand you correctly, from a pure audio standpoint you would be in agreement with the others who aren't crazy about the sonics of the 2105 unless it's had some significant updating. I have a couple of different tube pre's that I could use with it, btw.
I've never heard anybody who preferred the 309's. I've never heard the 309's, and I'm quite sure I wouldn't be able to tell the difference if I did.
I find them to be very coarse sounding -- with several very different flavors of loudspeakers.
Get an MC-225 if you want a Mac... a very nice sounding amplifier (again, IMO)
all the best,
mrh
I assume you're referring to the 2105?
You're only going to get so far with that amp. The tube pre will just make it sound it's best. Which isn't saying much considering the money you can sell it off for.
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