2x MC-402 vs. Monoblocks

[Vintage Pete]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Grasshopper.......I have never auditioned an MC402 or heard one in someone's system. I have heard people say that the MC402 sounds like the MC501. Considering this to be true, I would say that the MC601 will sound better because they have been voiced toward a faster pace in dynamics and a more open sounding midrange, exactly like the new MC452's sound. If my choice were between a pair of MC402's bridged or a pair of MC601's, the MC601's would be coming home. Of course this is ignoring the price differences and the fact that a person with an existing MC402 would only need one additional MC402 to be able to have 800 watts per channel.

Dan....if you keep on with this talk of the 601's merits, I may have to add them to my list...er, excuse me, my scroll.

Pete

[Grasshopper]

Matt (and everyone else),

Chuck Hinton with Mcintosh just replied to my email. I had asked if a pair of MC402's run in mono mode would be superior to the MC501 or MC601.

Here is his reply:

"About the same as the MC501, but not as good as the MC601".

Not a hugh detailed explanation, but encouraging that the 402 could be as good as the MC501. Of course, for the cost of the MC402x2, one could probably buy the MC501 pair for the same or maybe less pre-owned.

All signs point to the MC601 as one step closer to the holy grail.

You never know...

Originally Posted by mgbaron

Thanks for all of the info. It's interesting, despite there being nothing hugely wrong with the configuration, after tons of searching, I haven't actually seen anyone that uses it. It seams like the upgrade path is more typically straight to true monoblocks. Calling McIntosh is probably a good idea before going this route. Also, without the option to go 8 ohm, you'd have to be pretty sure your speakers sounded best on the 4 ohm taps.

[mgbaron]

Thanks, Grasshopper. That is certainly vague, but interesting nonetheless.

Originally Posted by Grasshopper

Matt (and everyone else),

Chuck Hinton with Mcintosh just replied to my email. I had asked if a pair of MC402's run in mono mode would be superior to the MC501 or MC601.

Here is his reply:

"About the same as the MC501, but not as good as the MC601".

Not a hugh detailed explanation, but encouraging that the 402 could be as good as the MC501. Of course, for the cost of the MC402x2, one could probably buy the MC501 pair for the same or maybe less pre-owned.

All signs point to the MC601 as one step closer to the holy grail.

You never know...