I Joined the MC2301 Bandwagon!!! Wow!!!

[Cohibaman]

Well congrats! Your floor is definitely not going to float away now. Gorgeous system!

[MarSanz]

Originally Posted by 80B

Congratulations! For me, the acquisition of our MC2301s signaled the end of wanting to upgrade amps, and just focus on listening, no, just enjoying the music - "focus" implies working to listen, and there's no work involved when enjoying the 2301s, if you get my meaning. Their timeless looks complement the sense that they won't ever become obsolete as long as they are well-maintained. The only downside is they could cause a hernia! Enjoy.

Thank you. I 100% agree with you regarding them being end game amps and you can just focus on listening and enjoying the music.

Originally Posted by 80B

Oh, and terrific photos, thanks for posting!

Originally Posted by miner

Congrats on your 2301s, they are beasts. I, too, had a MC275 and tried the monoblock setup but I ended up preferring the single 275. To my ears the music was more realistic and enjoyable, less fatigue during long sessions. I have had my 1502 now for almost a year with stock tubes. I have had a set of Gold Lions in waiting since my dual MC275s. May be time to opt for a swap.

Thanks and you should definitely swap in the GLs, they are amazing. I used GL KT88s, Telefunken 12AX7s and Mullard CV4024s in my MC275 and they were fabulous.

Originally Posted by audiogear

Curious how many new 3500s vs 2301s were sold annually in 2022? There’re obviously many personal variables leading to the purchases but still nonetheless interesting to compare.

This would interesting to know, with the 3500s being the new kid on the block, it just may have the edge.

Originally Posted by Cohibaman

Well congrats! Your floor is definitely not going to float away now. Gorgeous system!

Thank you, I am glad the layout is final, I don't plan on moving them anytime soon. Great username BTW!

[njcardave]

Outstanding looking system. I am considering going to dual mono tube ams to replace my MC462 solid state. Will have to match up with Sopra 2’s.

[MarSanz]

Now to the tube rolling...

As previously stated, I swapped in the NOS Mullard CV4024s with the stock KT88s about three days in, the Mullards really took my listening experience up a few notches.

On Saturday I put in the Gold Lions KT88s and 12AT7s, I listened to music for about 5 hours the first stint then three hour late into the night. I liked what I was hearing but there was this edge or brightness to the music, the sound stage was okay, bass was good but a little thin, things didn't have that flow, something was missing.

I decided to swap back in the NOS Mullard CV4024s, instant magic. I have read that many thought the Mullards were really good in the 2301s and I agree. They are a perfect match with the GL KT88s. The music was more engaging, organic and layered, (my feet and fingers were tapping incessantly) there was now a richness and flow to the music, a much wider sound stage with different levels of depth for each instrument. Back up singers could now be heard separately in their individual locations, this was now intoxicating and perfect.

Nonetheless, I did order a Siemens ECC801S quad...the reviews were great for these and I wanted to see what they were about. It will be interesting how they compare to the Mullards.

[Masterlu]

Outstanding!

[MarSanz]

Originally Posted by njcardave

Outstanding looking system. I am considering going to dual mono tube ams to replace my MC462 solid state. Will have to match up with Sopra 2’s.

Thank you!

I don't think you could go wrong with a dual mono tube set up as long as you have enough power to drive your current set of speakers. I considered the MC462 also, but was afraid I would miss out on something and I love the fact that tube rolling gets you exactly the sound you want.

[PeterMusic]

Originally Posted by audiogear

The 3500s and 2301s retail for $30k/$27k per pair according to McIntosh’s last price list in late 2022.

Curious how many new 3500s vs 2301s were sold annually in 2022? There’re obviously many personal variables leading to the purchases but still nonetheless interesting to compare.

Also interesting that they have two such similar pieces, both esoteric

[Formerly YB-2]

Originally Posted by MarSanz

Now to the tube rolling...

As another tube roller, could not agree more with what you have done & the results. Stock McIntosh tubes are selected primarily for reliability, with SQ being secondary. I put about 200 hours on my C22/MC275 with stock tubes just to insure they were good before rolling in new tubes in both.
Enjoy the music.

[Formerly YB-2]

Originally Posted by njcardave

I am considering going to dual mono tube ams to replace my MC462 solid state. Will have to match up with Sopra 2’s.

At 91db efficient, unless you are trying to fill a large room with loud music, Any 40wpc or larger tube amp should do a good job.

[Charles]

MarSanz, absolute congrats on the 2301's! As I understand it, the 2301 was Dan's all time favorite amp. It was also Harry Pearson's of TAS all time favorite tube amp. It is super that Mac has two high powered tube amps that are unity coupled but otherwise very different in design. I know that my Mac friend prefers the 3500.

For me, not being a tube aficionado, and not into tube rolling in the least, I like that there is no option to roll tubes with the 3500 very much. ARC goes to great lengths to match their tubes and this may be a reason their amps sound so good. I don't know. I have learned that the red tubes and blue tubes are Mac's attempt to match the tubes in a 3500. The caveat is not to mix tubes in a 3500. Use either all reds or blues in the amp.

I don't think the 2301 has the power to handle my XVX but certainly has the power to drive any conceivable speaker other than a speaker like an XVX. As to the sound quality, I am sure it is comparable to the 3500. I like the new binding posts and the better protection circuitry of the 3500 but this has zero to do with sonics. I like the looks of both amps equally well. I think the 3500 will sound more like a vintage Mac tube amp. However, the 2301 may very well sound better than the sound of a vintage Mac tube amp. I just don't think you can go wrong with either.

I think the mids and highs of my 3500 are smoother than my 1.25's but the main difference is in the bass. The blend between my Thor and XVX is perfect using my 3500's because the 3500 produces a fatter/slower bass with my XVX than the 1.25's. The Thor bass is slightly fatter than XVX bass. So the fatter XVX bass just blends perfectly and the effect is very noticeable. Everything in the high end is a matter of taste. I have never liked ultra tight bass. For my tastes the extremely full upper bass produced by my 3500's suites me very well. One might think that I am sacrificing resolution, but this is not the case at all. I actually have significantly better bass resolution. I will never experience the bass of a 2301 but I am sure that it is equal or superior to the bass of a 3500.

Again, absolute congrats on your new 2301's!

Best

Charles