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Vintage amps & power cords

Every time I power up my old McIntosh MC2200 amps - a pair running in mono mode, I can't stop to think about those stock power cords. The cords sticking out of my preamp and the amp in my other system look like fire hoses as compared to these cords and yet these amps are rated at 400 wpc as configured.

I completely understand the argument that the designers knew what they were doing but using this argument the aftermarket power cord suppliers should all be out of business.

Curious to hear input from folks with vintage gear and wondered the same thing, and what did they do about it.  

kalali
randy-11
1,913 posts
 
The aftermarket power cord suppliers should all be out of business in a rational world.  They prey on placebophiles.

Buy better speakers, room treatments, a better DAC, move your turntable to a different room (build it as an add-on to that nice listening room will build), do anything else that works...
roxy54's avatar
roxy54
2,651 posts
 

I rotate 3 power amps, and one of them is a McIntosh 2105 that I've had for many years. It needed work a few years ago, in fact, it was time to replace transistors (!). I took that opportunity to have the technician put in new input jacks, as well as an IEC input so that I could use a modern power cord, and finally, modern speaker terminals instead of those awful terminal strips that McIntosh used for years.

As a result, I am very happy with the amp; more than I was before, and it is more convenient as well. I know that the resale value is shot, and I don't care at all because I'll never sell it.

jond's avatar
jond
3,400 posts
 
I use high end power cords in my system and love how they improve the sound. My amp however has a captive old school cord and its an original custom job, I take perverse pleasure in the fact the pricetag was left on the plug, $.05 in bright orange. The amp sounds fantastic btw.
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