McIntosh MC225 Stereo Tube amplifier MC-225 Amp Nearly flawless and excellent working order. Start Price USD 99.00 Current Price USD 2,195.00 Time Left - Bid Count 16 Buy It Now Price USD 2,195.00 Reserve Price - Start Time Friday, August 29, 2008 End Time Thursday, September 04, 2008 Location Albuquerque, New Mexico See more about 'McIntosh MC225 Stereo Tube amplifier MC-225 Amp' Description McIntosh MC225 Stereo tube Amplifier     If good enough will do, there are at least 100 answers for you. But if the best is what you need then there is only one real answer - McIntosh.   In today’s ultra competitive money driven business world many companies compromise quality for profit margins, this statement is especially true in the audio component industry. They figure most people sparsely use an audio component for a couple of years then replace it.   McIntosh Labs is the complete opposite of this ideology; they create an audio component with the idea that this is something that you will cherish the rest of your life. This is not just a groundless claim; the fact is 80% of the McIntosh components produced since 1949 are still in use today, no other audio component manufacture can make this claim. The exceptional longevity of McIntosh products owes to a design philosophy established with the very first McIntosh amp: that every component will be created with capacity so great that it will never be operated at or near its stress point. From the initial design process all the way to the shipping department, they take painstaking efforts to ensure that every McIntosh component is “perfect”. Since the late 40’s this rare philosophy has been the driving force behind this exemplary company and it has certainly been the reason why so many people love McIntosh components.   The MC-225 was introduced in 1961 with a production run until 1970. It was released about the same time as its two larger siblings, the MC-240 and the MC-275, and although it had the lowest power output of the three it is largely viewed as the best sounding of the trio and quite possibly the finest sounding McIntosh tube amp ever produced.   The 225 utilizes McIntosh exclusive technologies which maximize the sonic potential of the 7591 output tube. The Unity Coupled output circuit and bifilar transformer eliminates notch distortion, a troublesome distortion common to all push-pull tube amps, by coupling both output tubes almost to perfection. In the McIntosh transformer the extremely close coupling of the bifilar windings removes the condition which permits notch distortion. Furthermore the output tubes are arranged as partial cathode followers. Half of the output circuit is in the cathode and half in the plate of each tube. The output tubes now are operating in a local feedback loop which reduces their distortion, reduces their internal generator resistance, and reduces their balance requirements. The McIntosh circuit in reality perfects push-pull high efficiency output circuits.   The craze over this amp is not without reason; in terms of sonic performance and build quality it is arguably one of the top two or three amps ever produced. Its sound is downright magical, smooth, and sweet, with the ability to portray the life and emotion of music. Its midrange is pure delight, vocals and instruments are rendered with a naturalness and accurateness that sends a shiver down your spine. Bass is tight and tuneful while high frequencies are delivered it the fullest of detail. The quality of dynamic drive is also amazing. It punches out the music in a lively, exciting way.   The MC-225 represents golden era American ingenuity at its finest and is a perfect representation of the “McIntosh sound”. It is a perfect match for horn based and other equally efficient speaker system       Exceptional example of what is considered by many to be one of the finest sounding McIntosh amplifiers ever produced.  You’ll be hard pressed to ever find a MC225 in better cosmetic condition.     I’ve owned this beauty for just over a year and it sounds silky smooth, clean, and wonderfully rich bodied with both my Klipshorns and my Stephens Truesonics.   There is no hiss, distortions or any other issues with the amp; its works flawlessly.   I never thought I’d sell this amp when I found this holy grail of amps, however financial needs dictate the sale.   This MC225 was purchased from the original owner and it includes the original operating manual and a copy of its service manual.   The amp appears to have never been modified, with only a McIntosh Clinic sticker signifying it was once checked over.  Chrome and lettering in as close to perfect condition as one could hope for. No rust or dents; this amp is very near perfect.      Your amp will include the original operating manual, a copy of the service manual and all tubes including 4 newly purchased (less then 10 hours) matched quads of Electro Harminoux 7591 output tubes.         Payment & Terms: We accept US Postal money orders or Bank to Bank transfers for payment.  Your amplifier will be very carefully packed and shipped within 3 business days of receiving payment and we’ll email you a tracking number when shipped.  Shipping to the US lower 48 states will be $49 with FedEx ground including insurance.  For Non-United States/overseas shipping: All duties and taxes are the responsibility of the buyer, and customs forms will reflect the selling price.  In order to calculate shipping cost, I'll need your address, including your zip code.  Local pickup in the Albuquerque, NM metro area is also welcome.      I have extensive feedback on eBay that you are welcome to read to attest to my commitment to honest descriptions and excellent packing.  This beautify amplifer will be double boxed and very well padded to ensure its safe arrival.  More pictures can be seen on my new website TheRetroHub “dot com”.   If you have any questions, please feel free to email me.       The Following information from Roger Russell’s excellent McIntosh site:   Specifications:   25w/ch stereo, 50w mono. Frequency Response 18-30 kHz (+0 -0.1dB).  Distortion 0.5%. Noise & hum -90dB. Output impedance 4, 8, 16, 150, 200 and 600 ohms. 600 ohm balanced to ground and center tapped. (2, 4, 8 and 16 ohms in mono). Output voltages 25 and 70.7V.  Internal impedance less than 10% of rated impedance. Input impedance 250k. Input sensitivity 0.5V (2.0V with gain controls at dot indicator).   Features: Chrome chassis. Output octal socket for higher impedances and voltages.  Barrier strip for 4, 8 and 16 ohms. Audio inputs. Gain controls.  Stereo-mono switch. Can be used for 50w mono.   TUBES: 4-7591 output, 12AX7, 2-12AU7, 2-12BH7. Solid state rectifier.   Size 7"H, 9-1/8"W and 14-1/2"D. Weight 34 lb. Sold from 1961-1967. Last retail price $198.00     Please read and agree to the terms below before bidding:   New EBay members are welcome; however if you have less than 5 recent transactions, or less than 95% positive feedback, please contact us before bidding to let us know that you have read and agree to all of the terms below, or I will be forced to cancel your bid.     Also, please make sure your spam blockers on AOL, Yahoo, and EarthLink are off or set to receive emails from my eBay responses.  You can also view all of my messages with eBay’s “my messages” section on your “my eBay” front page.    Payment: (US buyers).  For this auction, we only accept US postal money orders or a bank to bank transfer for payment.  No PayPal.  Please make sure this is understood and accepted before you bid.  You are welcome to contact me before bidding and I will be happy to provide a telephone number for you to talk in person if you like.   Please note: We require contact within 48 hours of auction ending and full payment within 7 days; unless other arrangements have been made in advance.   Packing:   I will take the utmost care in packing your item, whether it is a $1 item or a multi-thousand dollar item.   I have a great deal of experience shipping vintage equipment such as turntables, heavy receivers, tube equipment, and speakers.   All have arrived in great shape.   Shipping: Flat shipping to the lower 48 U.S. states with FedEx ground is $49 including insurance and signature confirmation delivery. FedEx will not ship to P.O. boxes.  I’ll ship your item within 3 business days of receiving payment and will email a tracking number at that time.  Free Local pickup or delivery in the Albuquerque NM area is always welcome. International: At this time, I will only accept Bank to bank transfers or US postal money order (bank verification may delay shipping).  No PayPal.  Please e-mail me your city and postal code for a shipping quote. Shipping will be the exact rate quoted by USPS Global Express including insurance, plus a $6 packing material charge.  (Shipping to most of Europe and Asia will be close to $309 insured).  All duties and taxes are the responsibility of the buyer, and customs forms will always reflect the selling price.    Please ask any questions you may have before committing to purchase.  I do everything I can to provide accurate descriptions for everything I sell.   I guarantee that your item will be as described, and that it will not arrive DOA, but due to the vintage nature of these items they are all sold with no warranty thereafter.   Everyone has their own ideas of mint, perfect, etc., so please use the pictures as a guide and feel free to ask any questions about anything that is important to you. Vintage audio is one of my passions and I strive for every sale to result in buyer satisfaction.   Please check my 100% positive feedback to see what my happy buyers have said about the items they’ve purchased from me.   http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback2&userid=retrohub&ftab=AllFeedback&myworld=true       Thank you for taking the time to view my listing.             Place a Bid!