Due to a relocation I have downsized my home listening area. My signal path now consists of a McIntosh 841 CD, a McIntosh MC2200 tube pre-amp, and the McIntosh MC2101, powering a pair of Sonus Faber Concertino speakers. All connections are McIntosh balanced xlr. All components were purchased used, but in mint condition with very low hours. After set-up and speaker placement adjustment, I am amazed at how well this system sounds. I enjoy jazz, R&B, Classical, and acoustic guitar recordings.
The MC2102 performs flawlessly. The all tube analog signal path works exceptionally well with the SF Concertinos. I don't require extreme volume, I am surprised at the bass response that the MC2102 provides with such small speakers. Don't miss a sub at all. All in all, it would cost significantly more money to exceed the sound performance is my limited listening space.

Hi, after owning numerous Mcintosh solid state amps and finally a pair of Mcintosh mc 75 tube monos, I decided it was time to upgrade ,i bought the mc2102 with high expectations used at 4600.00 ,was I dissapointed, i thought it might be the mcintosh brand kt88's tubes,sold them off put telefunken small tubes and shaguang 50th aniversary tubes in it.was suprised at the change in sound ,but not impressed .i wish i never sold my mc75 monos. At a price tag of 7500.00 new, again not impressed. I am running a Mcintosh mc2200 preamp with klipschorns with akg crossovers.

Bottom-end and lower mids are very strong for a tube amp. Very smooth from bottom to top. Very, very 'powerful' sounding amp. Again, somewhat 'laid back' on top compared to the MC275s it replaced, but overall one can't miss the fact that is from the same company. Obviously, being a McIntosh, it is a visual treat to look at. Beautiful black-glass face with blue meters, green lighting and glowing tubes through the window. Almost worth owning without the glorious sound.

88 poungs. Only want to move it once.

As the previous reviewer, bought mine used. But, having an good relationship with FG @ Audio Classics (highly recommended), I paid a couple of hundred extra for the peace-of-mind that buying from someone who unconditionally stands behind their sale gives me. I was listening to a pair of MC275MkVs running as monoblocs. The wife wants us back near the grandkids and the condo over there simply can't support all the gear I've got, so needed a single amp. The MC275s are wonderful. I was 'anxious' to say the least. While the MC2102 sound is different, it is still truly excellent. It actually has a bit more 'punch' in the low end/lower mids. The top end is as smooth, but with more low end it sounds just a bit les 'there'. Overall, I will have to do a bit of adjusting of the speaker position and orientation and will try biwiring shortly to see how that goes. As with the MC275s, I've switched out the KT88s to Tung-sol 6550 reissues, and NOS RCA 'blackplate' 12AT7s and Tungsram 12AX7s. Very please with what I hearing and think I've found a keeper. Not quite the 'edge' that I particularly like in the MC275, but can't imagine it getting too much better. I'm listening to a pair of Sony SS-M3 2-way speakers and will be changing them out for a pair of MoFi's OML-1 2-ways this weekend. Bottom end is supported by a powered 10" sub, that I've had to turn down about half-way due to the stronger bottom end compared to the MC275. My listening is about 75% jazz with the rest being a mix of R&R, classical and whatever. About 50% FM, 25% vinyl and 25% digital. Other than weighing in at 88 pounds, it is a great amp to listen to and look at. As mine is one of the later models and has been back to the factory (broken glass in shipping), I expect a long and trouble-free life. I'll give it a pair of 5s. I would have voted for 4.5s, but not available. Excellent piece and highly recommended.

Customer Service

Do same through Frank Gow at Audio Classics and one couldn't find a better person to work with.

Similar Products Used:

Most notable is the MC275MkV. Several Mcintosh solid-state amps from the MC602 down to the MC2250, over the years. The MC275 and this amp are my favorites (obviously, as have them rather than the solid-state models). Other amps such as larger vintage Yamaha and Sony and the occasional ARC tube amp.

Built like a Tank Esthetically pleasing Timeless McIntosh style Bulletproof packaging Signature McIntosh sound

Heavy as a Tank Speaker binding posts Questionable reliability

McIntosh, any McIntosh. "THE" American audio icon. I always wanted one. Remember the old saying, be careful what you ask for, you might get it? The MC2102 arrives at my door. Actually, UPS throws it in my general direction. I sign for the beast and the journey begins. I place it as gently as the 90lb. behemoth will allow and it fires up...literally. I think the term my repair tech used was it "Flamed out". The amp worked as it should for about a day and then proceeded to blow up taking out 3 of the KT88 power tubes with it. McIntosh has the audacity to charge me $100.00 each! (Sovteks, $25 everywhere) I haul the now newly inoperative amp to my local repair tech and I wait patiently. He calls and informs me that McIntosh had "issues" with this amp before. Apparently a previous design flaw which McIntosh has now fixed with a revision to a PC board. A week and $125 repair bill later, I lug the resurrected amp back home for another go. I reinsert the amp back into my rig, switch on the power, pop a CD into the player and cross my fingers. It's been about a week. So far so good. But...I don't feel comfortable leaving the room when it's switched on for fear that the damn thing will blow up again. Prior to purchasing the McIntosh I owned an old Audio Research tube amp which I routinely left unattended for hours at a time with no fear of it blowing up. How does it sound? It's a McIntosh...how do you think it sounds? I'll tell you. In a word...Glorious. My Maggies (3.6) never sounded better. Together they make music. I will not bore you with pretentious audio jargon but suffice it to say that when I sit in my listening room, my eyes closed, immersed in some of the most enjoyable music late into the night, I can't wipe that silly smirk off my face. Would I recommend this amp? Conditionally. Taking into consideration that this is a tube amplifier, and the way UPS seemed to take sadistical pleasure in throwng the amp around...literally rolling it along because it was "too heavy" for him to carry (send TWO people next time!), I can recommend the MC2102. But make damn sure you get a later version or one that's been updated. Otherwise you may be in for a rather expensive lesson, not to mention the way your back is going to thank you after carrying the amp back and forth from the repair shop (was LOTS of fun!) Oh yeah, almost forgot...it gets HOT! Nice in the Winter but come Summer... In closing, I "wanted" to give McIntosh a 5 star rating, but all things considered I felt that I could not in good faith. Suffice the appropriate rating. I hope that others have better luck than myself. Remember... It's not the destination, but the journey. God bless the U.S.

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Audio Research Conrad Johnson Cary