Power Amp choices

[jimbones]

Looking at tube power amps and I see Carver 275, McIntosh 275, Cary CAD120S Mk2. Are these all about equal in sonics or is one head and shoulders above the rest?

 

[Addicted to hifi]

Looking at tube power amps and I see Carver 275, McIntosh 275, Cary CAD120S Mk2. Are these all about equal in sonics or is one head and shoulders above the rest?

Mcintosh is above all you have mentioned.stunning sound and looks and being in business since 1949. they are world leaders in hifi.

 

[jimbones]

I always pictured Mc as mid-fi. Though the 275 is given a class A rating in Stereophile(?)

BTW, I am open to other manufacturers my budget is 5k and I can go used.

 

[Addicted to hifi]

I always pictured Mc as mid-fi. Though the 275 is given a class A rating in Stereophile(?)

BTW, I am open to other manufacturers my budget is 5k and I can go used.

Mid fi? Definitely not.

 

[Addicted to hifi]

I use an all mcintosh system and couldn’t be happier.I have tried other brands over the years but mac sounds best to me.

 

[nirodha]

Try Thrax before you buy anything else.

 

[jimbones]

An-Thrax lol, i will look it up

 

[thedudeabides]

I use an all mcintosh system and couldn’t be happier.

With all due respect to Addicted, he is vey biased to Mac. Grain of salt.

 

[Addicted to hifi]

With all due respect to Addicted, he is vey biased to Mac. Grain of salt.

Yes I am a mcintosh fan And luxman as well.

 

[DeadWax]

I can't comment on the other two amps but years ago I had the Cary 120 MKII and felt it was rolled off in the bass and not terribly dynamic.

 

[Addicted to hifi]

I can't comment on the other two amps but years ago I had the Cary 120 MKII and felt it was rolled off in the bass and not terribly dynamic.

Agree Cary amps have excellent midrange but that’s about it.rolled of on top and bottom.

 

[Addicted to hifi]

At least the Cary Amps I have heard I should say.

 

[TDX]

I always pictured Mc as mid-fi. Though the 275 is given a class A rating in Stereophile(?)

BTW, I am open to other manufacturers my budget is 5k and I can go used.

Midfi is a complement.

 

[TDX]

Looking at tube power amps and I see Carver 275, McIntosh 275, Cary CAD120S Mk2. Are these all about equal in sonics or is one head and shoulders above the rest?

I had cary cad 120 before. They were ok. I used it to drive focal floor standing and it’s failed. Sounds thin, no bass and missed a lot of details. Obviously it doesn’t mean cary is worse than the rest of your listed amp, I just didn’t have experience with the rest. Agree with others you should look at thryax.

 

[Addicted to hifi]

Midfi is a complement.

Hardly a complement.why does mcintosh always get class a rating from reviews all around the world.

 

[Addicted to hifi]

I have owned bat, krell, mark levinson , accuphase and none of these brands were as good as mcintosh.

 

[Addicted to hifi]

The new mcintosh c53 preamp that got reviewed by tas was rated one of the best preamps available at any price.mcintosh is also well priced and a bargain to most other brands.

 

[DeadWax]

@jimbones What speakers are you running?

 

[jimbones]

@DeadWax I use my own designed and built speakers 2 MW16P and 1 TW29R by Satori. They are about 89/90 db efficient

 

[jimbones]

Really want 100 wpc. Thinking KT88 based. I dont have $30K so forget the crazy expensive brands.