McIntosh MC2105 Amplifiers

McIntosh MC2105 Amplifiers 

DESCRIPTION

Vintage Mcintosh amplifier 105w/ch. Response 20-29kHz (+0 -0.1dB).

USER REVIEWS

Showing 1-10 of 19  
[Apr 26, 2024]
chaples19


Strength:

very good reserve of power on all louspeaker. very solid constuction, very musical….- on site truck repair

Weakness:

none . . .

OVERALL
RATING
5
[May 25, 2018]
JuliB


Strength:

Great amp. Smooth with plenty of power for my Magnepans.

Weakness:

Need a simple adapter that goes from spade to banana plug to use good cables. Amazon has them. 1/4 inch spade.

Price Paid:
611.00
Purchased:
Used  
Model Year:
1978
OVERALL
RATING
5
[Apr 23, 2018]
dougw


Strength:

Sound is wonderful, well balanced.

Weakness:

The speaker cables connectors and very small, hard to pit large cable in place. I am looking for options. If anyone has suggestions please share.

Purchased:
Used  
Model Year:
1973
OVERALL
RATING
4
[Jul 03, 2016]
doj
Audio Enthusiast

This is my first Mcintosh and can't stop loving it.

I've got a full set of tube gears from the 1960s Dynaco, pair with a nice Focal ARIA 906 bookshelf. Purchase this MC2105 meant to be the power amp for my 2nd system of a pair of floor standers. I can say this Mcintosh sounds just like tube maybe only a bit shy on the airy full body vocals, but the low end is very taut and solid, better than the Dynaco.

I used to have a SS power amp (Anthem MCA20), I sold it because it's a bit hash and bright overall, I even had to add a tube buffer to smooth it down. But with Mcintosh MC2105, I can enjoy music for hours without being bored.

A true keeper.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Dec 04, 2014]
Allan Gregg
Casual Listener

In 1976 I acquired a used 2105 and C-28 for $950.00 plus tax from a small shop in Indianapolis. A 2105 on eBay in 2014 Dec reveals typical issues with vintage amps: "it blew a resistor a day later. I took the stereo to a repair shop and they said it has bad capacitors and a resistor. The repairman said there was NO problem with the 2 LARGE capacitors. They replaced the resistor, but not the capacitors"

In 1973 I purchased a new Kenwood 8004 integrated amp for $300. The Kenwood was rated at 60 but actual output was 66 and 68 with distortion levels below McIntosh specs for tube and solid state. Still have the graph from that McIntosh amp clinic. The Kenwood performance line was almost indistinguishable from the the bottom line of the graph frame.

Flash forward 41 years and the Kenwood still performs like a champ without any service issues. Was on the verge of taking it to a shop but cleaning the input jacks with steel wool solved the static problem. Unlike the Mc it can drive six speakers simultaneously. Got rid of the McIntosh long ago.

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
3
[Jun 12, 2010]
Roni Solomon DDS
Audio Enthusiast

For years I have tried to get my hands on one of these for cheap. I would read stories on message boards of people buying McIntosh gear at estate sales for $20 a pop, or finding them on the side of the road in perfect condition. About a month ago I found a MC2105 that was "immaculate, stored for 30 years." I bought it for a song and brought it to a technician to have a look at it. Cosmetically, yes, it was immaculate, but it did have some electronic issues.

I called McIntosh directly and they were super friendly on the phone, all the parts I needed were in stock and not terribly expensive. About a week later my tech had completed a full restoration of my amp, everything from the output transistors to the capacitors. When I brought it home, I mated it with my JBL 4312a Control Monitors, new old stock PS Audio 4.6 Preamplifier, and modified Technics 1200 MK2. I was floored. I've heard plenty of McIntosh gear over the years, but there's something different about hearing it in your own home.

Like others have said, it is a very musical amplifier, I think that is what I like about it most, it is very pleasant. The official specs say that the damping factor at 8 ohms is 10 and 18 at 4. That would lead some to believe that the bass is not tight or refined, however, I find the bass on my 2105 to be very good. I would describe it as stately, not boomy or muddy. The autoformers ensure clean and distortionless power delivery at 4,8 or 16 ohms without clipping. I can listen to this amplifier for hours, at almost any volume, without fatigue.

Before I had the 2105, I had a Pioneer SX-980, a Sony STR-7065 and a pair of SAE Mark 2500 amplifiers. In comparison I found the Pioneer to be too bright and a little dry, the Sony to be pleasant but lacking enough power for my needs, and the SAE amplifiers to be too much power with poor reliability. All of the pieces of gear I owned before this, while good in their own right, did not suit my needs and tastes the same way the 2105 does.

For me, the years of waiting paid off, and I am thankful that I was able to get this amplifier and a full restoration for less than the price of an unrestored example on ebay or audiogon. I encourage anyone who has an interest in this amplifier, or McIntosh gear in general, to give it a shot. Even if you hate it (which I doubt you will) you can ALWAYS sell it and make your money back. As for me, I will never sell this amplifier, never. I'm selling off all of my other gear only because I don't see myself listening to it now that my McIntosh is in the house.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Mar 31, 2009]
carl
Audio Enthusiast

i have had my mcintosh 2105 for more tha two years, absolute heaven, using it with mc7007 cd player, c34 preamp. cant beat the sound, i have had em all. as for one guy here who suggest using this amp with speakers 94 dcbl or lesss. get a life, i am using them with klipschorns, 104 dcbls at one watt. again absolute heaven. so for the guy who said this, get some real speakers before you knock maqc equipment...................

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Nov 22, 2008]
fde
AudioPhile

Strength:

very good reserve of power on all louspeaker. very solid constuction, very musical….

Weakness:

none.....very heavy

very very good, in any style of music.
sound opened, very to detail, very clean low frequency, very fluid medium, very precise treble, one of the best amplifier, than I have to listen

Similar Products Used:

other mcintosh, krell, accuphase,mark levinson, citation 16, phase linear, musical fidelity, quad.......

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jun 17, 2008]
Isar
AudioPhile

Strength:

Looks good, absoultely facinating.
Sounds classy
Feels good to own them

Weakness:

The acrilyic front panel is not made to last long, thats a flaw.
Should have been provided with an optional rubber base.

I bought the Mcintosh MC2105 power amp and the C28 Pre amp from a dealer in Mumbai-India, last month. I realised immediately that this will not sound good but also looks fantastic. Unfortunately when I thought they would drive my Infinity Ref 2.5 vintage speakers, I was in for a shock, they were sounding awful. Then I decided to plug in my JBL 4311B control monitor speakers. That was it. They both sounded heavenly. I was very jubiliant. I had never heard a better sound before.

Similar Products Used:

yamaha dsp 2070, nakamichi stasis pa5, HK 6600, rogers tube amp(vintage), SAE

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Apr 12, 2007]
muziekfreak
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Musical sound, that ive never heard before. Solid build heavy, autoformers..just a nice solid amp that can last for years an years to come.

Weakness:

CRITICAL ! Specially what kind of speakers...
My tip is dont put this amp onto speakers that have 94db of senstivity. Just put on a speaker that is about 83db or something. So that youre sure that must put in the amps power into that speakers.

Dont try this amp on infinty classics, unless youre a kappa 9 owner or something.

Well what can is say, its a very strange amp! Not only because of the retro looks (It's from like 1969) Ik love the looks after a few days of adjusting to it offcourse.

The sound is tricky, we tested it with Infinity QE speakers. Did not work, harsh sounding no control at the high regions. And no low frequenty respons. With The Driade 103mkII (Topmodel of that brand a true legend) The same thing happend. LOTS of detail in the high and mid range. Yet again no low frequenty respons. Reallt annoying fact!!

Seen the fact i own a Dynaco st80 tube amp, And a audiolab m480 amp. Put them on those speakers and the ROCK ! With the MC2105 nothing ! Then gentlemen i had my last hope. The gigant Magnepan MG1 out of the 70'. Modified with supertweeters. Iff this is'nt gonna work then i trow away the MCintosh for sure.

We did it put the Mcintosh c26 pre-amp and the Mcintosh mc2105 onto the magnepans. As source we used a dual 503-1 turntable and a modified Sony xa50es cdplayer. Till our suprise ! THE ROCKED!!

FINALLY !! IT WORKS! i was so thrilled at that moment. Because you buy something and it does'nt work with the easy speakers. But with de magnepan the amp suddenly whas alive and kicking. What a dynamics and very good solid low region all of a sudden. We used Direct master vinyl of Norah jones,sara k,diana Krall..and stuff. Really nice the best sound i have right now ! And believe me folks, i had ALOT OF STUFF before is bought my mcintosh.

Now i'm very happy with my mcintosh set-up just bought meself a Mc1900 receiver that i want to use a tuner. It does'nt fit nicely with the c26 and mc2105..but who cares it works like a charm.

Similar Products Used:

To much to right down....

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
Showing 1-10 of 19  

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