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Model: | MC7270 |
Category: | Amplifier (SS) |
Suggested Retail Price: | $2500 |
Description: | 270 wpc with autoformer outputs and meters |
Manufacturer URL: | McIntosh |
Review by JonM (A) on February 22, 2004 at 10:31:22 IP Address: 151.203.200.104 | Add Your Review for the MC7270 |
I bought my MC7270 well over 10 years ago from Audio Classics in Walton (now Vestal) NY. (Great guys to deal with, though you do pay a premium for their assurance that what you buy will work as promised.) I have listened to this amp with some of the most revealing speakers (like Quad 989's) as well as run of the mill boxes (like the original larger Advents) and others in between (like Dahlquist DQ-10's). I have continually been impressed with every aspect of this amp:- First and foremost, the sound. Clear without being harsh, sweet without being syrupy, smooth and detailed and just effortless from the lowest lows on up. No change in the sound as things get loud, this despite the fact that it runs its outputs in class B (no idling bias current, but zero hint of crossover notch - see, it can be done :-). Sounds are natural, soundstage is deep and wide and detailed. Everything is just effortless.
- Build quality is everything you'd expect from McIntosh. Fit 'n' finish is about as good as it gets without being over the top (not a gilded lilly, this one). No noises or pops with any controls. No hum - none - either electrical (through the speakers) or mechanical. Everything works smoothly and predictably. And I love those blue meters.
- Reliability has been 100% perfect for over a decade. The unit runs cool, which contributes to long life, and even the power supply capacitors are charged relatively slowly at initial turn-on to prolong life. Built like a tank to last and last and last.
Product Weakness: | None. (Some might quibble about the speaker output barrier strips - large spade lugs or banana plugs won't work with this amp.) |
Product Strengths: | Sound quality, reliability, build quality |
Associated Equipment for this Review: | |
Amplifier: | McIntosh MC7270 |
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): | McIntosh C30 |
Sources (CDP/Turntable): | Linn LP12 |
Speakers: | Quad 989 |
Cables/Interconnects: | Monster |
Music Used (Genre/Selections): | Jazz, classical |
Type of Audition/Review: | Product Owner |
Follow Ups:
I've had mine for 4 years. I have to agree with you on the sound quality; I've used mine with a pair of B&W 805 Matrix series and Joseph Audio RM25si's. The MC 7270 gives me effortless sound and never gets harsh. I switched from a Bryston 3B-ST and the sonic improvement was unbelievable.
I understand that the McIntosh techs still don't think that there's a better Mac amp out there until you go for the MC 352 or bigger. Pretty high praise! I have to agree about the small barrier strips. I may replace them with rhodium or gold strips, and replace the RCA sockets as well, but don't feel compelled to do any of this in a rush. This amp sounds so damn good that I don't want to send it out for service, even if it will come back sounding better, supposedly. (It's a bit of a bear to move, too!)
Cheers,Graham
"Blue meters, big watts. This must be Heaven!"
A bear to move? You haven't lived until you have messed with the 2500, 2600, or the other heavyweights from Binghamton.
Hey, I'm just a little guy (150 lbs.) and the amp has to be slid into a narrow shelf about 3" off the floor. I guess if I really had to deal with a 2600 that I could live with moving it...
Cheers,Graham
"Blue meters, big watts. This must be Heaven!"
You might consider a sheet of UHMW plastic as a shelf liner. The stuff is tough yet slick. Woodworking supply stores generally have the stuff. You generally get your choice of white for color.Consider the gals that assembled the MC2300/2500/2600. If you want to talk to one of them, call McIntosh parts and talk to Gail. She will tell you about then difficulty they had in turning the critter over. It did require 2 gals to flip over.
Cheers,Graham
"Blue meters, big watts. This must be Heaven!"
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