The Beast the MC602

[JJinID]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

The new style handles make all the difference in appearance.

I couldn't agree more Ivan... I feel the same way about having your upgraded handles on my three MC501s!

[Vintage Pete]

Originally Posted by jjinid

i couldn't agree more ivan... I feel the same way about having your upgraded handles on my three mc501s!

+1

[melody3310]

Originally Posted by djwhog

Larry I was never in aisle 9


Well i think the 602 is a nice amp, it has a diff sound than a modern 452 or the 601s, but back on topic I think under 5k is a decent price, i would not pay more than $4200 and I am not mocking it, just saying for that old of gear etc.

best to you!

I just pm the seller on ebay and he quote $6350 + freight. Sound like the new MC452 a winner for me.

[Masterlu]

melody3310... Welcome to AA!

[melody3310]

Thank you for your warm welcome Masterlu. Your system are very impressive.

[rnrmf1971]

I had one of these for about a year, and have a bit of a different opinion from some people on the sound of the MC602.
First off, know that the amp was first produced around 2000 (possibly 1999). Published reviews of the amp started around 2000-2001. So the amp is from the generation of amps that included the MC352 and MC1201, so you are talking about amps that are about 3 generations back from the models in current production.

I found the amp VERY linear in its' reproduction of frequencies.
I would describe it as solid state sounding, as opposed to tubelike.
My impression of its' character was that it was kind of flat. It's resolution and degree of quietness was very, very, good, however. I would say the resolution on the top end was possibly better than my current MC501 amps.
I think the partnering speakers can make a big difference with this amp. I would recommend using the MC602 with very full range speakers. If your system is lean, the MC602 will only exacerbate the issue.
I would not define it as musically voluptuous, so to speak.

Audio Classics told me the history of the design of the amp, which I related in an old thread about the MC602. Supposedly, Mcintosh engineers were tired of their amps being pigeonholed as having the "Mcintosh" sound. So they went to Audio Classics picked up a Krell amp, and went back to Mcintosh HQ where they purposely designed the MC602 to take after the Krell's neutrality. Audio Classics told me that the MC602 is unlike any other Mcintosh amp of the era.

I sold my MC602 for somewhere around $5000-$5200, although I can't exactly recall. It was about 2 years ago.
I replaced them with the MC501's and am positively thrilled I did. In my opinion, the MC501's are very musical in ways that the MC602 never was. The MC501 seems to go lower and with much more authority. I think the stereophile review of the MC501, from 2004-ish is spot on with the review.

A couple of more things to know are that late model MC602's (after 2003 or 2004, I think) are said to be slightly better sounding, according to Audio Classics. Audio Classics knows the serial numbers of which version of MC602 are the better ones. There was some component that was changed that supposedly improved the sound a bit, and Mcintosh may have changed the serial number scheme when they made the component change. I had one of the older versions of the MC602.

The MC602 is devastatingly heavy, as well. It is a 2 or 3 person project to move the amp, unless you have a cart of some kind. My arms and back are much happier with the MC501's!

But in the right system, I could see the MC602's being very formidable.

Good Luck with it if you get one!

[Volks]

Originally Posted by rnrmf1971

I had one of these for about a year, and have a bit of a different opinion from some people on the sound of the MC602. First off, know that the amp was first produced around 2000 (possibly 1999). Published reviews of the amp started around 2000-2001. So the amp is from the generation of amps that included the MC352 and MC1201, so you are talking about amps that are about 3 generations back from the models in current production. I found the amp VERY linear in its' reproduction of frequencies. I would describe it as solid state sounding, as opposed to tubelike. My impression of its' character was that it was kind of flat. It's resolution and degree of quietness was very, very, good, however. I would say the resolution on the top end was possibly better than my current MC501 amps. I think the partnering speakers can make a big difference with this amp. I would recommend using the MC602 with very full range speakers. If your system is lean, the MC602 will only exacerbate the issue. I would not define it as musically voluptuous, so to speak. Audio Classics told me the history of the design of the amp, which I related in an old thread about the MC602. Supposedly, Mcintosh engineers were tired of their amps being pigeonholed as having the "Mcintosh" sound. So they went to Audio Classics picked up a Krell amp, and went back to Mcintosh HQ where they purposely designed the MC602 to take after the Krell's neutrality. Audio Classics told me that the MC602 is unlike any other Mcintosh amp of the era. I sold my MC602 for somewhere around $5000-$5200, although I can't exactly recall. It was about 2 years ago. I replaced them with the MC501's and am positively thrilled I did. In my opinion, the MC501's are very musical in ways that the MC602 never was. The MC501 seems to go lower and with much more authority. I think the stereophile review of the MC501, from 2004-ish is spot on with the review. A couple of more things to know are that late model MC602's (after 2003 or 2004, I think) are said to be slightly better sounding, according to Audio Classics. Audio Classics knows the serial numbers of which version of MC602 are the better ones. There was some component that was changed that supposedly improved the sound a bit, and Mcintosh may have changed the serial number scheme when they made the component change. I had one of the older versions of the MC602. The MC602 is devastatingly heavy, as well. It is a 2 or 3 person project to move the amp, unless you have a cart of some kind. My arms and back are much happier with the MC501's! But in the right system, I could see the MC602's being very formidable. Good Luck with it if you get one!

Wow very very interesting info!!

[mac man]

If I was going to sell mine (though I'm not selling it) I would price it at 5k with led kit installed. Mine was a final production model. Hope this helps