MC830 Mono & C8 pre

[Charles]

Originally Posted by JWJW

Does anyone know if this is the first “direct coupled” amplifier McIntosh has sold? (Sorry for the dumb question).

I owned a MC2002 in the late 1980's. I bought it to power a pair of Thiel CS5's. The amp was brand new, literally a week old. I was excited. The 5's pulled in the driveway. I couldn't wait.

I can't remember when on that day I played the 1812 but the lights on the amp dimmed and the powerguard lights flashed when the cannons began to roar.

Both speakers were severely damaged and immediately had to go back to Thiel. I was so upset. Wrong amp for wrong speaker and I paid the price.

2002 was a direct coupled amp. It did not stay in my system for long. That's not to knock the amp but I do not recommend old Mac direct coupled amps for difficult insensitive speakers.

I would not recommend the 830 for insensitive low impedance speakers. I would say minimum impedance of no less that 2.8.

Best

Charles

p.s. I eventually bought a Krell FPB 700cx stereo amp run off 20 amp line. I kept this amp for 10 years before going back to Mac. I need to correct something I said about this amp. It came with a non detachable power cord. I believe I said somewhere I used a KK Palladian cord. Not true. I used it with my Master Reference Subwoofer. Krell felt that no aftermarketn pc was good enough for the 700cx.

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by Charles

I owned a MC2002 in the late 1980's. I bought it to power a pair of Thiel CS5's. The amp was brand new, literally a week old. I was excited. The 5's pulled in the driveway. I couldn't wait.

I can't remember when on that day I played the 1812 but the lights on the amp dimmed and the powerguard lights flashed when the cannons began to roar.

Both speakers were severely damaged and immediately had to go back to Thiel. I was so upset. Wrong amp for wrong speaker and I paid the price.

2002 was a direct coupled amp. It did not stay in my system for long. That's not to knock the amp but I do not recommend old Mac direct coupled amps for difficult insensitive speakers.

I would not recommend the 830 for insensitive low impedance speakers. I would say minimum impedance of no less that 2.8.

Best

Charles

p.s. I eventually bought a Krell FPB 700cx stereo amp run off 20 amp line. I kept this amp for 10 years before going back to Mac. I need to correct something I said about this amp. It came with a non detachable power cord. I believe I said somewhere I used a KK Palladian cord. Not true. I used it with my Master Reference Subwoofer. Krell felt that no aftermarketn pc was good enough for the 700cx.

An amplifier that cannot double from 8 ohms into 4 ohms, does not a robust power supply possess.... The MC2002 was rated 200w into 8 and 300w into 4 ohms. A true brute of an amp would be stable down to 2 ohms and 1 ohm would be the stuff of legends.

[damacman]

Sounds like it had enough power to damage the Thiels with no problem ...

[Formerly YB-2]

Originally Posted by InVinoVeritasty

No autoformer? I wonder, why?

$$

[GeAllan70]

this is why Audio Research got the F*** Out!!!....

[FreddieFerric]

Originally Posted by GeAllan70

this is why Audio Research got the F*** Out!!!....

I'm sure there were a lot of reasons for the divestiture, but I seriously doubt it had anything to do with Mc bringing a couple of lower cost products to market.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by FreddieFerric

I'm sure there were a lot of reasons for the divestiture, but I seriously doubt it had anything to do with Mc bringing a couple of lower cost products to market.

I agree. It was my stupidity that blew up my CS5's. There are many well designed speakers with 6-8 ohm ratings for which these amps would be ideal. I would not recommend them for 4 ohm rated speakers unless you know the minimal impedance.

The idea with any SS amp is for it to work well within its comfort zone. As most of you know I have always been a speaker aficionado, believing that spending money on the speaker by far gives the best bang for the buck.

Take the Mac XR100. It is a beautiful full range speaker with a nominal impedance of 8 ohm. It would be an ideal match for this entry Mac gear for someone with a decent but limited budget.

Also I think some folks that are AR aficionados for some reason really don't like Mac. I wish AR and all their aficionados all the best and hope their company survives.

Best

Charles

p.s. I believe the XR100's can be bi-amped. This would make for an excellent upgrade using four MC830's.

[FreddieFerric]

Originally Posted by Charles

I agree. It was my stupidity that blew up my CS5's. There are many well designed speakers with 6-8 ohm ratings for which these amps would be ideal. I would not recommend them for 4 ohm rated speakers unless you know the minimal impedance.

The idea with any SS amp is for it to work well within its comfort zone. As most of you know I have always been a speaker aficionado, believing that spending money on the speaker by far gives the best bang for the buck.

Take the Mac XR100. It is a beautiful full range speaker with a nominal impedance of 8 ohm. It would be an ideal match for this entry Mac gear for someone with a decent but limited budget.

Also I think some folks that are AR aficionados for some reason really don't like Mac. I wish AR and all their aficionados all the best and hope their company survives.

Best

Charles

p.s. I believe the XR100's can be bi-amped. This would make for an excellent upgrade using four MC830's.

System Building 101. Start with the speakers since they are the heart of the system.

[jwc]

Originally Posted by JWJW

Does anyone know if this is the first “direct coupled” amplifier McIntosh has sold? (Sorry for the dumb question).

This maybe a dumb answer. MC7200, MC7104, MC754?

Terry Dewick once told me the amp with the best bass was the MC7200.

[62caddy]

Originally Posted by Charles

I can't remember when on that day I played the 1812 but the lights on the amp dimmed and the powerguard lights flashed when the cannons began to roar.

Both speakers were severely damaged and immediately had to go back to Thiel. I was so upset. Wrong amp for wrong speaker and I paid the price.

Which drivers were damaged specifically?