McIntosh MC275 Vacuum Tube Power Amplifier 2x75W with KT88 Tubes & Unity Coupled Transformers

The McIntosh MC275 is a vacuum tube power amplifier delivering 75 watts per channel into 4, 8 or 16 ohms in stereo, or 150 watts into 2, 4 or 8 ohms when the two channels are operated in mono. Four KT88 output tubes work through McIntosh Unity Coupled Circuit output transformers, which is why the rated power holds across all three impedance taps rather than falling away as the load changes. Four 12AT7 and three 12AX7A tubes handle the input, voltage and driver stages.

First released in 1961, discontinued in 1971 and revived in 1993 as a commemorative edition honouring co-founder Gordon Gow, the MC275 is now in its sixth generation. The seven small signal tubes are LED illuminated and report the amplifier's state: amber at power-up, green when ready, and red in front of a failed output tube. Sentry Monitor provides fuseless short-circuit protection with automatic reset, and patented gold-plated Solid Cinch binding posts secure the speaker cables on a polished stainless steel chassis.

Key Features

• 75 watts per channel into 4, 8 or 16 ohms in stereo
• 150 watts into 2, 4 or 8 ohms in mono operation
• Four KT88 output tubes
• Four 12AT7 and three 12AX7A small signal tubes
• Unity Coupled Circuit output transformers
• LED-illuminated tubes reporting amplifier state
• Red LED identifies a failed output tube
• Balanced and unbalanced inputs
• Sentry Monitor fuseless short-circuit protection
• Patented gold-plated Solid Cinch binding posts
• Power Control input and output
• Sixth generation of a design first released in 1961

Warranty

This product comes with a 3-year manufacturer warranty.

Why Consider the McIntosh MC275

The MC275 is the most revered amplifier McIntosh makes, and the reasons are practical as much as historical. The Unity Coupled output transformer delivers the same 75 watts into 4, 8 and 16 ohms, so loudspeaker matching is not the compromise it usually is with tube amplification. A pair can be run in mono for 150 watts each when more power is needed later, which means the amplifier scales with the system. The tube LEDs are a genuinely useful piece of engineering rather than decoration: a red light tells the owner exactly which output tube has failed, without testing.

Ideal For

• Listeners wanting classic McIntosh tube amplification
• Loudspeakers rated at 4, 8 or 16 ohms
• Systems that may later move to a mono pair for more power
• Vinyl-led and purely analogue systems
• Collectors of McIntosh tube electronics

What's in the Box

• McIntosh MC275 Vacuum Tube Power Amplifier
• Vacuum tubes fitted
• Power cable
• Owner's manual

Downloads

• Owner's Manual (PDF)
• Product Brochure (PDF)
• Connection Diagram (PDF)

Technical Specifications