Polks and McIntosh amps??

soundfreak1

Anyone have any ears-on experience with polks and vintage Mac amps??? Specificly RTA'S and 2105 or 2205 mac amps or any input would be healpfull as i may have a shot at a 2205 in the very neer future. Thanks

tonyb

Some with each but not together. That series of amps from Mac.....lets just say it's not their best foot forward. You can do better.

F1nut

Never heard of Macintoah amps before.

soundfreak1

F1nut wrote: »

Never heard of Macintoah amps before.

Sorry, cell phone, small keys, fat fingers.

F1nut

Just razzing ya, I knew what you meant.

erniejade

The 2105 has a big following. For an amp that was made from 1967, its solid. It is a decent sounding amplifier and I still love the looks of it. It is definately built to last and weighs a lot for a 105 wpc amp.
Here is the problem. There has been many changes in solid state technology since that amp was designed. I had one for quite some time and pu t it up against a lot of amps. It beat some and lost to some in the 900-1200$ market. It depends on the price you are going to pay.

The 2205 I think is from 1977 @200 wpc. A little better sounding vs the 2105 but again for a ss. Amp, there is better sounding for the money. I am partial to the looks of McIntosh. I just simply love the looks of both amps. I had them on polk sda ( suprisingly good match) jm labs polk 10b, and to my ears when I had them on vandersteen3a, I didnt like them. Made them sound too dull.

From looking at your amp list in your sig. Outside of the looks of the 2105 or 2205, im not sure if you would like them. They will be a little warmer vs the 1200 you have. If its a reasonable price, give it a shot. As long as you dont overpay to begin with you can usually resell for what you pay.

Also remember because of the age of either amp, might need a recap!

schwarcw

I have a 2105, but I have not used it with Polks. It sounded great with my Rogers LS3/5A and my KEF 101s.

Msabot1

I use a vintage Mac MC240 paired with a MX110 pre that drives my LSiM 07's and 10B's very well....never get tired of the sound..no fatigue on the ears...never tried other models,but this setup works very well!

leftwinger57

I did my own mini poll a ways back why Mcintosh amps were not mentioned in most conversations here.By a overwhelming majority it was thumbs down for Mac as an amp 1. because (they said ) for the $ you can do a lot better both in sound and value.2. While build quality is still high their resale value for vintage models is astronomicaly high given their age.3 Most here thought it was not a good match for a Polk Branded speaker.
Me growing up used to see a Mac 2105 a C-28 pre-- a Dual 1229 tt and a pair of AR 3a or later Ess Heil Amt 1s speakers in just about every professionals' house.Drs, accountants ,lawyers and engineers and people flushed w/ cash.Me I would love a Mac 2300 @ 300 a side w/those giant meters looking back at me.

Msabot1

The MC 240 dosent have the meters....what it does have is very clean sound distortion free even at upper listening levels! This amp lets those speakers come alive which is what it is all about right?

soundfreak1

Have listened to the 2105,2205 extencevely at a friends house but he's a JBL fan and never heard them on polks. He wants me to bring my modded RTA12C'S over for a listen and can also try out some treshold amps he has as well, just wondered what exp others have had with the mac's and polks. I am considering making an amp change.( nothing worng with my parasound but just have an itch to try some new directions. ( ive had the HCA 1200 about 4years now since it was moddes and as incredable as it is ......... Damn rabbit hole is calling me!!think i have gone as far as i can with my current system (as far as "upgrades") Soooooo What next???? Amp maybe????

Face

I really enjoyed the 7270 with SDA's.

tonyb

Nah man, I'd say it's time for him to move on from the RTA's. Too many speakers out there that will better them easily and enable him to hear more of what his gear can do.

gp4jesus

Speculation on how would your Para 1200 stack up against some circa mid '80s gear such as Hafler or Belles?

tonyb

Circa 80's ? I'd have to give the thumbs up to the Belles. Circa 2013.....same.

davestl

A 2505 sounded great with RTA 15TLs.

soundfreak1

I went ahead and went with a krell kav250a. But tjanks to all that chimed in.

mhardy6647

EDIT: n'ermind... a day late and a dollah short...

zingo

soundfreak1 wrote: »

I went ahead and went with a krell kav250a. But tjanks to all that chimed in.

Good choice!

soundfreak1

gp4jesus wrote: »

Speculation on how would your Para 1200 stack up against some circa mid '80s gear such as Hafler or Belles?

Never had ears on any belles but the halfer cant hold a candle to the 1200. Imho.

soundfreak1

mhardy6647 wrote: »

EDIT: n'ermind... a day late and a dollah short...

LOL now im a dollar (or two) short!