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Original Message
RE: Classic Mac Sound
Posted by 6bq5 on February 19, 2017 at 18:29:10:
THe Classic McIntosh sound comes from their transformers - in the power amp side- and from a 'More is better' on the Pre-amp side.
McIntosh, Like the early Marantz had absolutely amazing output transformers for their tubed gear - all were Ultra-linear in topology and were potted. they had great frequency response and have a great sound.
they do not have high damping factor - hence the 'soft bass' and often the early units only were tested up to 16,000cps (Cycles per second=Hertz) so did not go the extra 4-10KHz in top end definition...
As McIntosh introduced transistors (SS) into amplifiers - they put 'Autoformers' on the output side. this did a few things - one made the amp stable into any speaker- and carried the 'house sound' into the ss gear.
Do new production units have the same sound - not fully, but close- they have expanded the frequency range of the OPTs but kept the original circuit - though with better components-