MC830 questions.....
 

The MC830 was announced in September 2020 but there is no reviews.

I sold my MC312 amplifier recently. I like the idea of mono blocks but not sure whether the MC830 would be improvement over the MC312.

Maybe direct coupled design would work better on Magnepan's ?

Has anyone seen these in person? Are the power meters on the MC830 same size as in the MC312 ?

Really wanted only to sell the C70 preamplifier but condition of sale was to sell both.

Guess can not complain too much as I got all the money I paid for the C70, MC312 less $600 difference.

I am in an apartment now, so average volume was at 3 watts on the meters of the MC312.

What would you choose as replacement for MC312? Speakers are Magnepan MG 0.7 and two JL Audio d110 subwoofers in stereo.

The D1100 will be the preamp + MR87 tuner connected with digital connection to the D1100.

Dan

The MC830 does not have autoformer output like your MC312 had. You may find a significant difference in the SQ.
Have always thought that McIntosh is missing the boat not offering a monoblock in the 300wpc range. Something like an MC311. Half the width of the MC611 with the autoformer.

Super surprised you sold your 312. To ME, one of the best sounding Mc amps I’ve owned. If I could swing it, I would have a 312 as part of a second system.
When I did have my 312, I considered buying a pair of 830’s to bi-amp my speakers. BTW, I did own a pair of 301’s, and like the 312, they were FANTASTIC.
I will say, the 830’s are reasonably priced for Mc mono blocks.

One thing for sure….avoid the C8 (JMHO). I owned one for a week. I though it sounded like a tin can…again, JMHO.

My dealer said the MC830 was an entry level product, not in same league as MC312/462.

You might try the 1502. Can't wait for mine to finally show up.

You will LOVE it. I SOOOOOOOO regret selling mine. :tears::tears::tears:

I seen some really good reviews on the MC1502. Also will wait to see is there is update to the MC275 vi and hopefully maybe soon MC275 vii.

Hopefully tubes more reliable than what they were in Sonic Frontiers tube equipment I used to have.

It’s hard to say without trying it, but I would venture to say your Maggies might sound better with an autoformer Mac amp than a direct coupled. I am currently using the MA352 integrated, which is direct coupled, with my Martin Logan Impression 11A’s. It is not a good match in my opinion. When pushed, the mids can be a bit shouty and the highs a bit harsh. I demoed the C2700/MC462 combo with my speakers, and it was in a different league - the smooth, refined sound that I was looking for. My preference is definitely for autoformers. I placed an order for the 2700 and 462 and will be trading in my 352.

The first thing the dealer did was connect my pair of 830's to a pair of 20.7's and said they performed better than the Mac amps with autoformers and said Mac amps don't normally perform that well with Maggies on models that used autoformers. I use my pair with XRT 28's. They easily put out over 600 watts indicated with out the power guard lights flashing and as with all Mac amps they remain composed when the guard lamps do flash. I was originally going to use two spare channels one each from each 207. But the amps would over heat and shut down. Thats why I bought the 830's. I prefer Mac amps with out autoformers for the higher damping factor. My HT speakers that are bi-amped with the 207 amps bypassing the passive crossover netwrks sound so much better with 207's and formerly MC 7200s compared to Mac amps with autoformers.

I am wondering about the MC830 as well. Not because of dissatisfaction with my 501s, but as a purely practical matter. I am getting older and the 501s are 92 pounds each. Managing the 501s physically will be more difficult. The 830s are compact and half the weight. That makes them appealing. I will be keeping an eye on the 830s, but not dumping my 501s yet. I will plan to watch this thread.