McIntosh MC 2000 – High End Stereo Equipment We Buy

McIntosh is one of the most dependable brand names when it comes to high-end audio systems. For years the brand has been recognized by audiophiles throughout the world as equipment that delivers clear and consistent quality in music. McIntosh is probably best known for its amplifiers and preamps, but the company produces many other components and parts for stereo and home theatre.

What are the specs for the McIntosh MC 2000?

Years Manufactured:
1999-2000 RMS
Power Output:
(8/4/2 ohms) 130W min. sine wave continuous average power output per channel from 20Hz to 20kHz with both channels operating
Output Load Impedance:
2, 4, or 8 ohms
Rated Power Band:
20Hz to 20kHz
Total Harmonic Distortion:
0.5% maximum at any level from 250mW to rated power per channel from 20Hz to 20kHz with both channels operating
Intermodulation Distortion:
0.5% maximum if instantaneous peak power output does not exceed twice the output rating per channel with both channels operating, for any combination of frequencies from 20Hz to 20kHz
Frequency Response (@ 1W output):
20Hz to 20kHz, +0 / -0.25dB 10Hz to 100kHz, +0 / -3.0dB
Hum and Noise (A-Weighted):
100dB below rated output
Damping factor:
greater than 18.
Input impedance:
20k ohms single-ended, 40k ohms balanced.
Input sensitivity (switchable):
2.5V for rated output, 1.2V for rated output (1V for 100W output).
Dimensions:
173/4"" W by 11"" H by 183/4"" D.
Weight:
135 lbs net.

What else to know about the McIntosh MC 2000?

"So given the hoopla over this ambitious engineering effort, a formal review was scheduled. To recap, the McIntosh MC2000: Dual-mono on a single chassis; 130Wpc from 2, 4, and 8 ohm taps; gold-plated RCA/XLR inputs and 200-amp binding posts; patented Unity Coupled Circuit with bifilar-wound output transformers; eight KT88s (or 6550s) with ceramic tube sockets, gold contacts, and Air-Pipe cooling; twin regulated DC heater supplies on the input tubes; glass front panel; stainless-steel Titanium Gold Super Mirror gold-plated finish; and big blue illuminated power meters! Big Mac The MC2000 arrived at our door in two boxes, and it was obvious which held the amp itself. We unpacked, grunted, and heaved the massive MC2000 onto a PolyCrystal amp stand. The smaller box contained the tubes, a tube cage, a screwdriver, and a bias-adjustment tool. Did I mention the swanky pair of white gloves? Yeah! I'm Fred Astaire! It's all beautifully done—a real Cadillac presentation. The tubes come in a gold-toned box with the Svetlana KT88s and smaller tubes nestled in individual form-fitting foam depressions. (I used the KT88s supplied, but you can run the MC2000 with Svetlana 6550s if you prefer.) A translucent plastic cover sheet indicates the tube's number chocolate-box style, making it easy to socket them into the amp. The power tubes are pretested and need not be adjusted for bias until you replace one or all. And do use the gloves, there's a good fellow, to avoid greasy bio-smear on the glass. Top hat and tails optional. It's all pretty straightforward. My only complaint is that the heavy-duty binding posts set vertically on the rear apron are so close to each other that it was hard to get a grip. Making the task more arduous, the roll-bar over this rear area gives ""on your knees"" new meaning. But that's a reviewer's problem. If you don't often swap cables, you'll soon forget your aching knees. For the record, I used the 4 ohm taps on the 3.3-6 ohm JMlab Utopias, and all Synergistic Research Designer's Reference cables: Active Shielding interconnects and speaker cables, and Master Coupler Squared power cords. The BAT VK-50SE was an instant smash hit with the Mac, and so remained the reference preamplifier for the review." - Exeprt From Stereophile

Brief History of McIntosh

Long mapped-to Binghamton New York – the current headquarters and manufacturing center for McIntosh Labs – not many people know the brand was originally launched outside of the Nation’s Capital in Silver Spring Maryland, in 1949. In 1956, the brand built their original facility in New York, according to the official brand website.

Other McIntosh Products We Often Buy

Typically, StereoBuyers purchases mostly used amplifiers, especially the vintage amps and high-end McIntosh models such as the MC202 or MC252, and the C220 preamp, for example. We have also purchased many pre-owned tuners from McIntosh over the recent years, including the MR67 and MR78 models, for example.

StereoBuyers has purchased tens of thousands worth McIntosh brand equipment since 2014, with individual buys ranging from $100 to well over $50,000. If you are moving, ready to upgrade, or have McIntosh equipment you do not or will not be using, why not contact us today to find out if it is worth good money?

If you are interested in selling your used McIntosh equipment to us in the greater NYC area or Colorado, please click here to fill out a Free Quote Form and we will get back to you. If we agree on terms, we come to meet you where you want, and pay cash.

The following images show actual McIntosh equipment purchased by StereoBuyers.