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[Greg Youngman]

I found a McIntosh 2105 100 watts per channel that I've had in storage.  Does anyone like or use one of these?  Thought I'd ask before powering it up.

TNX  

[TotalSonic]

I've never heard the 2105 but I used to have a McIntosh 252 (which is a later made 200 watt per channel model but solid state as well) which I liked a good bit.  It was  a little bit more "chesty" to my ear emphasizing the low mids a tiny bit more, and a little slower on transients than my current Pass Labs X250 - but it definitely was very clean and certainly worthy of being used in a mastering rig.  

I'd say if it's in good shape and it's anything like the 252 then you most likely have a nice piece that while probably can't really power big floor standers could certainly be excellent on a secondary smaller system.  

Best regards,
Steve Berson

[Greg Youngman]

Thanks for the reply, Steve.  I think I'll clean it up, make sure it works and keep it as a backup.  I also found a MC2505, 50 watts per side, which might come in handy for something.  I wish I had kept my MC275.

[Jerry Tubb]

Greg Youngman wrote on Sat, 27 November 2010 18:04

I found a McIntosh 2105 100 watts per channel that I've had in storage.  Does anyone like or use one of these?  Thought I'd ask before powering it up. TNX

Should be good for driving an alt set of monitors in the studio, or in a listening room. Apparently it's one of their earlier solid state amps, gotta love those blue meters. Here's a little blurb from audio classics:

http://www.audioclassics.com/detail.php3?detail=MC2105

JT

[Dominick]

The MC 2100 is 100 watts per channel, essentially the same amp as the MC 2105 without the meters.
The MC 250 is the stereo 50 watt per channel little brother.
Lovely amps all.

[Greg Youngman]

Dominick wrote on Sun, 28 November 2010 07:58

The MC 2100 is 100 watts per channel, essentially the same amp as the MC 2105 without the meters. The MC 250 is the stereo 50 watt per channel little brother. Lovely amps all.

You are correct.  The second amp I found is a MC2505.  50 watts/channel with meters.

[Brad Sarno]

I love these older transistor Mac's. Very fun and musical amps to listen to. First thing I'd do is replace the electrolytic capacitors, and perhaps replace the two (the only two) signal path electrolytics in the input section with film types. Easy stuff, simple circuits to follow. This cleans up the power and helps all around with detail, punch, and imaging.

Something about these old Mac's just sounds very big and musical and low fatigue. Warm and pleasing. Perhaps just a hair too forgiving compared to some more clinical "mastering" amps, but still a great qualifier for the job. They are very underrated as well. The 2105 is well over 100 watts per channel, maybe closer to 140 or so. The little 250 or 2505 is closer to 75 watts per channel than 50. I'm a fan of these affordable classics. They go forever, incredibly low maintenance and reliable.

The ones ending in "05" are the ones with the pretty brushed faceplate and meters. The MC2100 or MC250 are the more industrial looking black/chrome style. Same amp inside.

Brad

[Greg Youngman]

Thought I'd post a picture.

[Jerry Tubb]

Greg Youngman wrote on Sat, 11 December 2010 10:25

Thought I'd post a picture.

that's a real peach!

[bruno putzeys]

Wow look at the sheer size of that thing.

[Greg Youngman]

I just finished checking out the MC-2505 (50 WPC).  This is fun!  Here's the trick.  Place a few excess pieces of gear your not using into storage and forget about them for a few years... then, pull them out at Christmas time!

[Brad Sarno]

Yes,

LOTS of iron in those output autoformers. That's one unique thing about these Mac's; they have the autoformers which are basically half of a transformer, only the primary coil is used, and the speaker outputs are tapped along the windings. This allows the amp to deliver full power at various ohmages. I also have to believe that the autoformers take part in the warm sound of these amps. And they sure make them bulky and heavy for the power rating.

By the way, my re-capped Mc250 (just like that Mc2505 but without the pretty faceplate) benches out at almost 80 watts per channel clean. Very conservatively rated amps.

Brad