Best Mcintosh solid-state amp 200-300 watts?

Of course, you will get varied opinions on this, but for my money, Mac's best amp ever produced is the MC7200! No autoformers here, direct-coupled, with great sound! Rated at 200 wpc @ 8 hms/300 wpc @ 4 ohms. Many of Mac's amps have had "muddy" bass, but not this one. I know your dilemna, wanting to stay with surround sound. I've used my 7200 with my Yamaha DSP-A1 processor, and very happy with the results. I also have a 7200 in my audio room, and it's great there, too. One thing about it, you can always sell a Mac amp and get your money back if you're not happy with it! Try that with some of the others!

Bearotti, you made no mention about what vintage Mac Amp? New?, Older?

For an older unit, a clean used MC-7270 would fit the bill quite nicely, with 270WPC RMS. I've never heard, or seen in person the MC-402, but the MC-352 is a killer unit, and I believe these can still be gotten new. Mark

Mark, I made no distinction on purpose as it doesn't really matter to me. I guess I am just looking for opinions on what the favorite was regarless of vintage.

good thread.....here goes including one over and one under your watt range, but hey even an mc275 tubeSS will drive almost anything. .....mac BEST BANG for the buck....mc7300(narrow-smooth assilk sound)....mc352(for most louspeakers of any size and efficency this is an end all)......4300 receiver(yes receiver)the finese of a big mac with a nice tuner, and a phono section that is as good as any outboard ive heard for 1k to 3k.......mc7200(identical smoothness of the 7300, but cosmetically a little more primitive(at least in mac terms). mc252(one of the best buys currently out there.matches well with lots of speakers, but until the mc352's dry up its a close second).

I have to agree with Grannyring. The 400 watt MC-402 is an amazing amp. I've only had mine for 12 days and bought it as a local sale here on Audiogon. I have a 200 watt SS Mac (MC-202) which I like very much, but the 402 is just in a different league.

I was looking for a MC-252, MC-352 or MC-402. When I saw this unit avilable in true 'mint' condition, without the shipping worries, I bought it.

There are still some NOS MC-352 amps available and they are supposed to be a great amp as well.

Good luck!