 
|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
|
|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
47.199.67.64
Has anybody own both of these units in a restored condition, and are able to speak to this comparison?
I have a Samra restored S5000, and I am absolutely blown away by how good it sounds. 20 watts per channel. The Mcintosh,
25 watts, but apparently can push a little more. I've always heard that the 225 was the one to own if you weren't going to try to drive very power hungry speakers.
Follow Ups:
I find as an integrated amp its warm and sweet sounding but not the last word on detail. I bypassed the preamp section and only use the amp section with a buffer as a "pre".As with almost any EL84 it's an amazingly sweet sounding amp.
So comparing the 225 and against the EL84, you're in the same league. I consider both to be the best sounding tubes I've ever heard. The only other tube I like is the EL34.
Of course amp design and condition still applies. And that Mac was designed well.
EDIT: I call this amp one of my going to the grave amps. It's staying with me to the end.
Edits: 01/23/23
The S5000 was a topic of discussion here maybe 5-6 years ago and there is quite a bit of info on the Internet.
Being curious I bought the first version, push buttons on the left of the face plate and the 12AX7's mounted on a slant behind the face plate because some thought that was the best sounding version.
It was all original and because voltages checked out I tried it and was very impressed with it. Pretty much mint in cosmetics too!
It did make me wonder if I should sell my C22 and 225 but after switching back to that combo after a couple of weeks it did sound more dynamic, clear and accurate than the S5000 BUT the C22 and 225 had been rebuilt.
It is pretty amazing that even with the original lytics the S5000 sounded so good.
IMHO I do think the 225 was the best sounding tube amp McIntosh made followed by the MC30.
My 225 has driven various speakers well for me over the last 35 years but if your budget minded and have efficient speakers, the Sherwood will do it's job well.
I never regretted selling an MC240 other than if I still had it it would be worth $1000 more now.
Pairing the S5000 with EV Esquire 200 speakers was even more of a surprise because it was as though the two were meant to go together so that combo is a keeper for when I decide to sell the Mac stuff and the larger speakers.
As another posted said, it's about synergy and for me that includes cap choices in equipment in a full rebuild if you want to go that way. They don't need to be expensive "audiophile caps" your told need hours of breakin to sound good.
Edits: 01/20/23
~!
The Mind has No Firewall~ U.S. Army War College.
This is a difficult question because system synergies are involved. I have a pair of Quad 57s. When I first got them I searched for an ideal amp. I tried all sorts of mid power tube amps inc Dyna ST35, ST70 , Heath UA2, W5, Marantz 8B (triode strapped), Mac 225, Quad II and a few others. Marantz and Mac were better than the others, pretty good overall and fairly equal in different ways but the clear winner was the pair of little Quad IIs. All amps either fully restored or known to be in proper operating condition.
Full disclosure: I don't have a Sherwood.
enn tee
all the best,
mrh
On paper the 225 should have blown the Quad IIs away. And with the few dynamic speakers where I tried both, it did. But the 57 / Quad II combo sang like it was a pair made in heaven. In some respects I've never heard better at any price.
As a Sherwood fan (and owner), I will say this: the only McIntosh amp I've heard that I'd actively want to own is the MC225. It is a very fine amplifier.
all the best,
mrh
| FAQ |
Post a Message! |
Forgot Password? |
|
||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:
Top of Page ]
[ Contact Us ]
[ Support/Wish List ]
[ Copyright © 2025, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]
