MC2301 vs MC1.2KW

[Jerome W]

Originally Posted by m.tonetti

This happens even at power on.

When you turn on the bad MC2301 the needles of the vu-meter remain stationary or they move?

I just checked Massimo.
They both move just a bit ( 2 mm ) and go back to 0, for both amps.
The 501's did the same IIRC.

[W9TR]

Massimo,
Having a few early tube failures is not at all unusual. With the 2301, these failures are a complete non-event. The protection circuitry kicks in and shuts down the amp. No issues - just find and replace the bad guy.

This is not the case with other amps - sometimes a tube failure will cause other componnets to fail, requiring a repair.

I have over 8,000 hours on one set of KT-888's in my 2102. No issues, they still test fine. Once you get over the inital burn-in period, these tubes are very reliable.

[jdandy]

Jérôme.......Yes, my MC501 meters bounce a small amount when the power is turned on, and the Power Guard lamp lights momentarily.

[m.tonetti]

Originally Posted by C220MC275

Massimo,
I really don't think that there could be a reliability problem with the 2301 or any other McIntosh tube amp.
Tube amplifiers are the historical heart of McIntosh.
No other company has a 60 years experience at the higher level with them.
No other company built tube amps as famous as McIntosh, and during so many years.
Bad tubes concern more the tubes makers than McIntosh per se IMHO.

I agree.

Remain the fact that among all tube amplifiers/preamp I've owned (and there are many, especially McIntosh) has never failed a tube!

However, I have intention to purchase it equally.

I love McIntosh.

[vintage_tube]

A tube fail and one that has degraded in mutual conductance readings is two different events IMO. Like comparing apples to oranges.

I've never experienced a failure neither -- in my case, the GL KT88's were first in my MC275's and then moved to the MC2301's where they were tested and found acceptable. After a few more thousand hours ontop of the hours in the MC275's -- I retested as I usually do periodically and found several had degraded into the +3,000 mhos or less. Those I decided to disgard.

Tubes fail for a variety of reasons -- and there are no guarantees regardless who made them.

Anyway, I don't see any correlation between a tube that goes south and associating that to the devices fault.

Bob

[Jerome W]

Originally Posted by m.tonetti

I agree.

Remain the fact that among all tube amplifiers/preamp I've owned (and there are many, especially McIntosh) has never failed a tube!

However, I have intention to purchase it equally.

I love McIntosh.

Massimo,
Your sig shows that you love tube amps.
This one is among the best you could find.
Of course, to be near 100% safe, that takes a SS amp.
But to me, and to you I 'm sure, the reward is not the same.

[wpines]

W9TR
Please comment on the similarities/differences between your Amps: MC 2301's, MC 2102.

[W9TR]

Disclaimer - this comparison is based on using my VA Beethoven speakers - I have not tried the 2102 with the Sophia II's.

The 2102's have a very classic tube sound - similar to the MC 275's. By this I mean the vocals are outstanding - smooth and silky. The highs are very clear and extended. The bass is good but not up to the standard of many solid state designs.

The 2301's take it to another level in terms of clarity, dynamics, and bass articulation. They are especially quiet, all the music springs from a dark background. The 2301's don't seem to have a sound of their own like other tube amps. Very neutral.

The 2102's run in bridged, (not parallel), as monoblocs are amazingly good. Close to the 2301's except for bass and the last bit of midrange articulation. Way better than a single 2102. If you can't swing the 2301's, a pair of 2102's are a great option at 1/2 the cost, roughly.

I sold one of my 2102's and still have the other. I think it is a great amp by itself.

[two dot]

Do the 2301's drive the S2's to their full potential, in your opinion?

[W9TR]

Yes, I believe they do. I haven't tripped the power guard yet, and it gets plenty loud in my room. When I turn it up, they just keep getting louder and more dynamic - no stress or strain.