McIntosh MC901 or MC3500 MkIi?

[JBT]

Charles IMO they're one of the best reviewers on YouTube. They loved the amps and said it sounded great on Wilson speakers. Most reviewers don't include subs when they review home audio. Now if it's a home theater more times than not subs will come into play. All in all they agreed the MC3500 is a great amp!

[Charles]

Originally Posted by LewL

Thanks Charles. That’s pretty strong on the satisfaction meter!

LewL, let's do a comparision of the gear available at any price on the market.

First let me say that the 901, if you desire to bi-amp, is the the amp on the market to use. It is incredibly powerful at 1,200 w/ch minimum and will probably do significantly more. Pick out a SF Aida (135K), pair it with a pair of 901's, a C12000/MCD12000 combo and you have a system for the ages. And you don't need four or six amps.

Also if I had the money and space, I would look at a Magico M9 (750K), which requires four channels and would be ideal for a 901. Also many lesser speakers that are built for bi-amping, not as an after thought, will blossom with a 901. As I have pointed out although you may consider it expensive, in absolute terms it most certainly is not.

At 36K it is less expensive than the new CJ ART108M which is rated at 160 w/ch and lists for 48K, a total minimalist design, no protection circuits, no meters to monitor maximum watts, and takes 15 minutes to stabilize.

The ARC160M is 35K and rated at 140 w/ch with no protection circuits and meters that I would not rely on, do not have a peak hold feature, and hard to see from a distance. It also requires a noisy fan which I find incredible this day and time.

Less powerful amps require protection circuits more than more powerful amps. The days of minimalism are over, according to RH, editor of TAS. The great thing about tube watts is that, unlike SS watts, they sound great until clipping occurs but you never want any amp to clip, tube or SS. Mac is the only manufacturer that provides true protection from clipping, both tube and SS.

There is no substitute for power unless you have speakers > 94dB sensitivity. Mac makes some of the most powerful tube amps on the market, period, irrespective of price. The Siegfried is rated at 650 watts/ch but idles at 600 watts and is 75K/pr. Has more tubes than I can count. No protection circuits or meters. Ditto for the ARC750 which idles at an incredible 800 watts. Totally impractical. Wouldn't consider either of them if you gave them to me.

The VAC Statement is 450 w/ch 120-150K/pr. No protection circuits or meters. Now these Statement amps are I am sure wonderful sonically, but I would rather have the 3500.

These are the only three tube amps I know of with the Siegfried and ARC being marginally more powerful but would heat my house in the winter. Totally impractical in terms of weight and heat and cost.

Now you can say what you want, but I believe that sonically based on my experience with my XVX, the 3500 will easily match them.

I think some ultra expensive SS amps like the Relentless will compete with a 3500 sonically but again far too large, heavy, and expensive for me. Given the choice no question it would be my 3500, which again based on personal experience with my XVX, I believe will match it sonically. With an XVX the 3500 must be heard to be believed. It's that good.

I apologize for the overly long post.

Best

Charles

p.s. the 3500 runs cool, even at live performance levels I can firmly place my hand on the cage without discomfort. At idle it is slightly warm. It is not "house heater". I do not notice the AC running more. It takes less than 30 seconds to stabilize and ready for music. It's meter tells you when it's ready.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by JBT

Charles IMO they're one of the best reviewers on YouTube. They loved the amps and said it sounded great on Wilson speakers. Most reviewers don't include subs when they review home audio. Now if it's a home theater more times than not subs will come into play. All in all they agreed the MC3500 is a great amp!

JBT, yes they gave it a nice review but with a speaker that was not floor standing, as I remember. But it wasn't that, it's been so long I can't remember why I got turned off with them. YouTube reviews of audio equipment seem to be done by folks with little experience, so I agree that they may be the best of YouTube.

Best

Charles

[LewL]

Thanks Charles!

[JBT]

Originally Posted by Charles

JBT, yes they gave it a nice review but with a speaker that was not floor standing, as I remember. But it wasn't that, it's been so long I can't remember why I got turned off with them. YouTube reviews of audio equipment seem to be done by folks with little experience, so I agree that they may be the best of YouTube.

Best

Charles

Audio Excellence has been in business since 1991. I suspect they've been doing something right


https://www.stereophile.com/content/...ence-has-moved

[Charles]

Originally Posted by JBT

Audio Excellence has been in business since 1991. I suspect they've been doing something right


https://www.stereophile.com/content/...ence-has-moved

JBT, very impressive. It's amazing how vigorous and strong some dealerships are. I wish them all the good fortune.

I remember Laurence HI Fi in Birmingham, Ala. I will never forget Mr. Laurence: Bozak, McIntosh MC240, Acoustic Research and the AR2 and AR3. Dynaco Stereo 70 and the PAS2, PAS3 pre's. Mr. Laurence had a whole huge room devoted to Bozak, with a Concert Grand, and Symphony I, and smaller Bozak's. I was just a kid. Going into that room was like magic to me. This was in the early 1960's when it was Mac, Dynaco, Bozak, and Acoustic Research, also the classic Thorens turntable with Grado arm and Sure or Stanton cartridges, Tanberg 64X tape deck, and many other components. We drove 100 miles to get to that store.

Dealerships that have staying power are very special.

Best

Charles

[Stephens770]

Hello, MC 901 owner, came from 2301's, from pair of 275VI's. Was pushing a set of IRS Betas with all. Stock and GL Tubes in 2301's. 901's also replaced Bryston 7B's and later Legacy I-V2 on the Bass Towers.

The 901's are incredible. First, a site to behold in person. Two separate non-audiophile relatives said "what are those things that look like engines?" I have to say, as much as I loved the 2301's and conventional wisdom says the 901's are 2301's and 611's on the same chassis, the 901's sound noticeably better with the Beta mid/high panels in my room.

Now, the Betas have been replaced by a pair of Analysis Orions. Huge 7 foot panels that gobble up the power and of course the 901's drive them with ease and sound as you would expect..sublime.

[Masterlu]

Stephens770… Welcome to AA!

[FreddieFerric]

Originally Posted by Stephens770

Hello, MC 901 owner, came from 2301's, from pair of 275VI's. Was pushing a set of IRS Betas with all. Stock and GL Tubes in 2301's. 901's also replaced Bryston 7B's and later Legacy I-V2 on the Bass Towers.

The 901's are incredible. First, a site to behold in person. Two separate non-audiophile relatives said "what are those things that look like engines?" I have to say, as much as I loved the 2301's and conventional wisdom says the 901's are 2301's and 611's on the same chassis, the 901's sound noticeably better with the Beta mid/high panels in my room.

Now, the Betas have been replaced by a pair of Analysis Orions. Huge 7 foot panels that gobble up the power and of course the 901's drive them with ease and sound as you would expect..sublime.

Great first post! Enjoy the 901's in good health.

[JBT]

The 901s are a combination of the Mcintosh 611 and Mcintosh MC2301. I forget his name but the founder of the The Absolute Sound said the 2301 are the best amps he's ever heard. I heard the 901s briefly hooked up to Focal Utopia 111 eco speakers and it sounded amazing. The store was jam packed so I only stayed around 15 minutes. the Mc3500s are the classic Woodstock amps