audioFi.net Hi-fi news, reviews and rants
  • Reviews
    • Amplifiers
    • Digital Players/Streamers
    • Digital Processors
    • Loudspeakers
    • Accessories
    • Preamplifiers, phono stages
    • Systems
    • Turntables, cartridges
    • Headphones, headfi, desktop
  • News
  • Rants ‘n Raves
  • Hot Picks
    • Amplifiers
    • Loudspeakers
    • Preamplifiers
    • Systems
    • Turntables, cartridges, etc
  • What’s Up
  • About us
  • Home
  • News
  • McIntosh flexes tube muscle with C22 Mk V / MC1502 pre-power pair

McIntosh flexes tube muscle with C22 Mk V / MC1502 pre-power pair

August 10, 2020 Leave a Comment Written by The Editor

IF you’ve always lusted after a more powerful all-tube amplifier from McIntosh Labs, well, here it comes – the MC1502, essentially a supersized version of the legendary MC275. This new power amp also has a companion in guise of the C22 Mk V tube preamp.

According to McIntosh, the MC1502 is the direct replacement for its award-winning MC2152 Limited Edition amplifier that commemorated the company’s 70th anniversary in 2019.

“The new MC1502 has identical audio specifications and sound reproduction performance of the heralded MC2152 but in a more customary McIntosh design.

“The MC1502 shares the timeless styling of our classic MC275. As the MC1502 has twice the stereo power rating of the MC275 (150 vs 75 watts) and is physically larger, in many ways it can be considered the MC275’s big brother. And while a pair of MC275s can be run in mono to achieve the 150 watts per channel output of the MC1502, the MC1502 boasts a better signal-to-noise ratio of 112dB vs 105dB for the MC275 pairing, producing an even quieter performance than the already quiet MC275.”

Eight KT88 output vacuum tubes power the MC1502, with four assigned to each stereo channel. There are also eight small signal tubes, consisting of four 12AX7A and four 12AT7 vacuum tubes – two of each of these vacuum tubes are dedicated to each audio channel.

As for the C22 Mk V… it is “the direct replacement to our highly regarded C70 Limited Edition 70th Anniversary preamplifier. The C22 Mk V is the latest McIntosh vacuum tube preamplifier to carry the cherished C22 model number. It has all the performance of the acclaimed C70 but with the hallowed C22 moniker and its signature glass and aluminium front panel design.”

The C22 Mk V uses one 12AT7 and five 12AX7A vacuum tubes. Knobs and rocker switches operate all control functions while modern LED lights indicate input selection and volume level.

The C22 Mk V has two balanced inputs, three unbalanced inputs, one MC and one MM phono inputs, for a total of seven inputs. There are two pairs each of balanced and unbalanced output connections; the two outputs allow sending signals to two separate power amplifiers.

Both the MC1502 and C22 Mk V can be ordered now in the USA and Canada… that is, if your budget runs to US$11,000 and US$6,000 respectively. International availability will follow shortly.

News
McIntosh C22 Mk V vacuum tube preamp, McIntosh MC1502 vacuum tube power amp
Samsung HW-Q950T, HW-Q900T… sleeker, more stylish premium soundbars
Nagra’s new Classic Phono coming in September

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Categories

  • Recent
  • EarMen ST-Amp… for headamp thrills
    January 26, 2023
  • Review: How the MoFi StudioPhono charms vinyl fans
    January 19, 2023
  • The Naim’s the same for the latest Classic Series
    January 10, 2023
  • HiFiMan Ananda Stealth Magnet headphones – playing fast and lively
    December 29, 2022
  • An all-new S3 from Magico
    December 23, 2022

RSS 440Hz.my – Expanding music horizons

  • Gibson acquires Mesa/Boogie January 7, 2021 The Editor
  • The Pandemic, The Arts, and The Situation October 5, 2020 BRENDAN de CRUZ
  • Martin SC-13E… fret not over the higher notes January 17, 2020 The Editor
  • Sadowsky and Warwick announce licensing deal December 17, 2019 The Editor
  • Roland RP302… your family-friendly digital piano December 2, 2019 Sujesh Pavithran
  • The making of a Taylor guitar – a sustainable and ethical process November 28, 2019 Sujesh Pavithran
  • Godin Acoustic Series… keeping it premium November 18, 2019 Sujesh Pavithran
  • Eugene Lee – bringing ’em back to life November 11, 2019 NR Lohan
  • Fender announces the American Ultra series November 6, 2019 The Editor
  • Penang House of Music – still a mountain to climb October 28, 2019 RSMurthi

evolve theme by Theme4Press  •  Powered by WordPress