McIntosh MC2205 Amplifiers

McIntosh MC2205 Amplifiers 

DESCRIPTION

200 Watts (1975-1981)

USER REVIEWS

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


Strength:

Great power, high, mid and bass absolutely perfect control, great soundstage- engine diagnostics and repair

Weakness:

none . . .

Purchased:
New  
OVERALL
RATING
5
[Apr 26, 2024]
chaples19


Strength:

Great power, high, mid and bass absolutely perfect control, great soundstage- engine diagnostics and repair

Weakness:

none . . .

Purchased:
New  
OVERALL
RATING
5
[Jun 03, 2020]
LWilliams


Strength:

This reminds me of my childhood days when I'm still living with my parents. My dad used to have this product and growing up listening to his music has a big influenced to me. Anyway, this product is built to last. It still produces quality sound and strong power based. No wonder my father keep it and it is still working up to now.

Weakness:

I don't find any issues with this product. Anyway, please reach out just in case you need a contractor to handle any installation of residential decks in Brighton, CO.

OVERALL
RATING
5
[Apr 25, 2020]
jeff89


Strength:

Power to spare and musical as all hell. Very nice looking Build quality like a fine scientific instrument.

Purchased:
Used  
OVERALL
RATING
5
[Apr 01, 2020]
egdesign


Strength:

beautiful, very very great sound and holographic stage more than many modern contemporary power amps

Weakness:

Absolutely none, after many amps I return always on this old but still great amplifer!

Price Paid:
2500
Purchased:
Used  
Model Year:
1980
OVERALL
RATING
5
[May 26, 2019]
Stream


Strength:

Great power, high, mid and bass absolutely perfect control, great soundstage

Weakness:

You play music and then... don't belive that is too loud until someone talk and you don't ear him! 😁

Price Paid:
2000
Purchased:
Used  
Model Year:
1980
OVERALL
RATING
5
[Mar 22, 2017]
george nakamoto
Audio Enthusiast

I bought my 2205 in 2000 from hi-fi haven, a McIntosh dealer in whittier cal. they've been in business since the early 50's. my first units were a Marantz and phase linear and 4 bose 901 series 2 speakers. this amp is built like a tank. I've had my amp meters stuck all the way to the right meaning at least 250 watts per chanell contiuous. my 4 bose took all that power and with power guard working I didn't have to worry about distortion. if you like your music loud you need a McIntosh amp with power guard. note. the mc2300 which is pretty popular doesn't have power guard!

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[May 14, 2009]
max11499439z
Audio Enthusiast

My setup:
McIntosh MC 2205 amplifier
Martin Logan Ascent speakers
Rotel 1070 CDP
SignalCable Ultra interconnects
SignalCable Ultra bi-wire speaker cables

Note that like a previous reviewer, I have not added a pre-amp to this relatively simple system in order to remove any unneeded pre-amp coloration. With that said, the sound of the system and the perfomance of the MC 2205 is excellent. Resolution of vocals, guitars and percussion within a wide soundstage is very good. I have listened carefully to my fovorite CDs including Genesis Second's Out, ELP Works, King Crimson In the Court of the Crimson King, Yes Close to the Edge and Pink Floyd Meddle and can now pick up nuances thet could not be perceived with entry level equipment (in my case Adcom 550 amp).

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[May 13, 2009]
Marc Mosbacher
Audio Enthusiast

My system:
Rotel 1070 CDP
McIntosh MC 2205 amplifier
Signal Cable Ultra Interconnects & Bi-wire speaker cables
Martin Logan Ascent speakers

This amp is timeless: precise sound imaging at low and high volumes throughout the frequency range. Audio stays precise at higher volumes. Soundstage is wide with separation of vocals that is quite impressive. No himt of grain. A fine value if you can find in this price range.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Sep 17, 2004]
jawzx
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Power to spare and musical as all hell. Very nice looking Build quality like a fine scientific instrument.

Weakness:

Big and VERY heavy, but if you can't ger over that after listening to it you have issues. Will cause severe audio addiction faster than you can say "I wonder how much better this might sound with X attatched to it" Maybe not QUITE as dynamic as some modern solid state equipment in it's price range.

I took a 2255 (the "pro" version of the 2205) home to audition it for a while and came to the following conclusion: If I buy this amp I'll need to replace everything else in my system. As I wasn't willing (or able) to do that I regretfully returned it and continue to enjoy my Onkyo TXDS494 and 5.1 channel audio. The time spent with the Big Mac was a real kick and someday I hope to be able to afford the types of equipment upgrade I'll need to really enjoy an amp like this to it's fullest. My Big 'ol Magnepan MG-IICs have never slammed or been as dynamic and hard hitting as they were connected to the 2255. I have always enjoyed the imense somewhat larger than life sound stage served up the maggies but I've also come to accept slightly flabby bass as the trade off... Not with the Mac. Connected to the 8 Ohm taps on the 2255 the MG-IICs broceded to show what happens when an amp can REALY move a lot of current around.(my little TXDS494 doesn't fall flat driving the maggies but now I have better idea of how much more room the MG-IICs have to grow) The 2255 could easily be described as "an 89 Lb Velvet Sledge-Hammer". It rules any speaker you connect, including the current-hungry maggies, like a benevolent dictator. Bass resolution is phenomonal and the mids are clean and warm, without any distracting color. Treble is smooth and controled, even with speakers that actualy have good extension above 20kHz (the Old Maggies don't). Power output is rated at 250/ch at all output impedences and I beleive it. It never even got above "warm" when driving my maggies to ear-splitting, window rattling volumes. The quality of construction is second to none, It has pretty blue-green power meters, it has a shinny glass front-panel and great tactile knobs. It's a McIntosh. This is one heck of an amp, even by modern standards.

Similar Products Used:

Adcom GFA-505

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
4
Showing 1-10 of 19  

(C) Copyright 1996-2018. All Rights Reserved.

audioreview.com and the ConsumerReview Network are business units of Invenda Corporation

Other Web Sites in the ConsumerReview Network:

mtbr.com | roadbikereview.com | carreview.com | photographyreview.com | audioreview.com