Why the hate for mcintosh amps?

Since the output transformers allow for 2 4 or 8 ohm

why not a single/universal connect to speakers that can handle all 3?.?.?

Has to do with "output impedance" of said transformer tap. (damping factor) into the speakers impedance to control the speaker cone movement, and getting the "most wattage" without losing control for that speaker driver.
The lower the transformer tap the lower the "output impedance" the higher the "damping factor", penalty is the lower the tap the lower the wattage also.

Cheers George

Spkr says rated for 8 but told to use 4 , b&w 802 d3.  Does it matter?

lower the tap? Is 2 lower than 8?

Who told you to use the 4 ohm tap? Users do experiment. There is no 2 ohm tap, so what did you mean "is 2 lower than 8?"

There is a 2 ohm output connection onback of amp.

is it ok or advantageous to use 4 ohm connection?

emergingsoul OP


With the B&W802’s giving this 3ohm load to the amp
https://www.stereophile.com/images/616BW802fig1.jpg

They demand an amp that can drive 4ohm or less un-phased, even 2ohm, as there is also a nasty EPDR of -64 degrees negative phase angle at 70hz, you could even try the 2ohm tap to get the ultimate bass control, but you won’t have much wattage to go loud with. Really I don't think these sort of speakers are suitable for a transformer coupled amps.

Cheers George