That is indeed something to think about. With the MEN220 and at
half of the power but more than 30 degrees hotter, doesn't sound
ideal. From your reviews, the sound with the MEN220 was a lot
better, but had it been at these power levels? Was the heat a factor
in anyway with the sound quality?

Maybe this is a question with other MEN220 users if they have seen
temperature differences after adding it to their systems.

Dan, it is very puzzling as I remember Ron-C saying the MEN220 does not add, only remove peaks to flatten the response curve.... You seem to be experiencing the opposite. Why one side of the balanced scheme of output transistors run hotter than the other side, I really can't imagine.... but can only suspect the MEN220's output wave.... I don't know the design of the MEN220 but I can only guess and this is a big guess, that the signal is higher in amplitude on one side over the other but it is pretty obvious the one bank of transistors is working harder than the other.... you probably would have heard it though... and I don't know if that's even possible in the MEN220.

Dan: I'm not sure if the 501's input is direct coupled or cap coupled, but I would check if the 220's outputs are passing DC.

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System Marantz MA9S2, SC7S2,SA7S1, Thiel 3.7's, Nordost, Furman 2ea Elite 15i

Wouldn't that depend on the correction needed?

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I don't recall Ron specifying that. I do recall Ron saying that the MEN220 doesn't add to the signal, only subtracts by flattening the peaks...

Dan, other than a silly thing like your cables being defective which is highly unlikely but I did come across a pair that was wired wrong and threw my system out of phase.... I think with all the processing involved which probably involves phase shifts as well as A to D to A conversion, there is something going on in your MEN that is not healthy with the output wave... There is no other explanation for the difference in heatsinks temps in a balanced monoblock amplifier that works properly and is temp balanced without the men220 in the signal path...

I haven't had any issues with my system since incorporating the MEN220 -- I also realize my amps are different than Dan's -- but, thought of running a similar test just to see if one side runs a bit warmer than the other since I have a infra-red temp gauge -- but not sure where to take an accurate measurement (no heat sinks). Maybe output transformer. Let me know if I can be of assistance to deduce your issues Dan.

Aren't there any other MC501 owners out there w/a MEN220?

So, is it possible the MEN220 Dan has an internal defect??

I thought of that as well when thinking of possibilities -- XLR's these days are not like they were when they first came out -- I found one awhile ago that was wired incorrectly.

Bob

__________________
Amps: MC2301 tube mono's/dedicated 20A breakers.
Preamp: C500C/C500T
Digital Source: MCD1100 CD/SACD
Analogue Sources: SME 20/2 w/SME V arm and Palo Santos Presentation Cartridge & Akai GX-400D Reel-to-Reel w/relapped heads by JRF Magnetic Sciences.
Vibration Control: Nordost "TC" Sort Kones under CD/SACD & C500 and "AC" under amps. Shakti stones on amps.
Speakers: Sonus Faber Stradivari
Power Isolation: Isoclean PT-3030G III 3KVA Isolation Transformer w/Isoclean Super Focus In/Out Cables.
Power Bar: Isoclean ICP 206 Non-Filtered Power Bar.
Power Cables: Wireworld Platinum Electra on amps, preamp, CD/SACD.
Power Outlets: Isoclean ICP-003 Power Wall Socket.
Speaker Cables: Wireworld Platinum Eclipse
Signal Cables: WireWorld Platinum Eclipse XLR's on MCD500 & C500T to MC2301's.
Headphones: Sennheiser HD-650's and Koss Pro IV AA.
Tube Test Gear: Mint late '60's/calibrated Heathkit TT-1A & current SOTA MaxiMatcher tube test sets.

Hi
Dan....
I asume that you have it connected like this;
From pre left right outputs to left right inputs to MEN220, are you using high or low outputs from MEN220 to the amps, then there maybe something about High or Low sensitivity issue. I hope you don't have misstakenly have the crossover settings activated. I am not familiar with the MEN200, just a thought.

matt_zak.......Yes, I see that in the MEN220 specifications, but there is no switch or software selection for High Sensitivity or Low Sensitivity. This may be a typo in the manual, because typically a balanced input is twice the voltage of an unbalanced connection, and which one you choose governs the sensitivity.

I went back through the setup, and I am set for balanced cables. I am using both Output 1 and Output 2, and not outputs are set for full range. Output 1 feeds the left and right channel amplifiers, and Output 2 feeds the left and right channel inputs on my JL Audio Fathom f113 subwoofer. The output level settings for both Output 1 and Output 2 are set at 0.0 db. My delay settings are set to inches, and are correct for the distances. The Bypass output level is set at 0.0 dB. I have verified that all settings are correct.

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Dan


Living Room System: McIntosh C2300, MC601 (2), MCD1100, MS750, MR85, Sony DAT 60ES, Nakamichi BX-300, Micro Seiki DD-40, Ortofon 2M Black, Sonos ZP90, Oppo BDP-83SE Blu-ray, PMC EB1i, Fathom f113 w/ Sound Anchor stand, Power Plant Premier (2), PS Audio Soloist Premier SE (3), Rollerblock Jr.'s, Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's & PC's, Kimber 8TC with WBT Solid Silver Angled Locking Banana Connectors.
Studio System: McIntosh C1000C/P, MC2301 (2), MCD1100, MR88, Michell Gyro SE w/SME 309/Ortofon Cadenza Black, Sonos ZP90, PS Audio Power Plant Premier, PS Audio Soloist Premier SE, Sonus Faber Amati Anniversario, Rollerblock Jr.'s, Wireword Silver Eclipse IC's & PC's, Wireworld Silver Eclipse speaker cable.
Studio Home Theater System: McIntosh MX120, MC452, Oppo BDP-95 Blu-ray, PS Audio Soloist Premier SE, JBL LSR-6332 (2), JBL LSR-6328P (3), McIntosh XLS112 (2), Sony 52XBR9, Tributaries Silver IC's, Wireworld PC's.
Vintage: McIntosh MA5100, MR74 tuner, JVC XL-Z1050 K2 CD player, Wyred 4 Sound DAC2, Tandberg 3008A and 3026A, JBL4312A , McIntosh 4300V for deck speakers.

Hi
Then you are using the active crossover?