#31
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I’m not so sure about outliving Bryston. I’m 59 and have 2 Bryston amps (2B, 3B) still working from when I was an undergraduate, and one I bought used. The 20 year warranty speaks for itself.[/QUOTE] No doubt that's true but it also depends on how the equipment is used. In that regard, McIntosh is more likely to prove more reliable under extreme duress than the majority of amplification equipment from competing manufacturers. This is one of the main reasons McIntosh enjoys the resale value it does. If you wanted to drive a 2 ohm pair of Magnepans for instance, I'm sure the MC1.25KW would be better suited for the task than the comparable Bryston model over time without failure. This is due to the autoformer design allowing for the coolest operating temperatures under extreme duress. The weight of the respective units (93 lb vs 158 lb) should bear witness alone to how "overbuilt" the McIntosh is - which is the primary reason McIntosh is held in such regard which is reflected in its unusually strong resale value. Last edited by 62caddy; 04-19-2019 at 10:01 AM. |
#32
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Then there was the preamp. If I would have stuck with McIntosh I would have chosen the c1100. The BHK preamp was considerably less as well. So basically the decision came down to price.
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Paul Speakers: Von Schweikert VR-5 Anniversary MK II Front L/R, LCR-35 Center, VR-1 Rear L/R Sub: JL Audio F113 Amps: PS Audio BHK Signature 300 Mono, McIntosh MC207 Pre-Amp PS Audio BHK Signature and Gold Note PH-10 Phono Stage/PSU-10 Power Supply Turntable: VPI HR-X 12.7 TONEARM (2) and SDS, Stillpoints LPI Tape Deck Otari 5050B II2 Music Server: Aurender N100H Cartridges: Ortofon Cadenza Black, Lyra Helikon Mono Digital Source: Oppo UDP-205 DAC: Holo Audio Spring 3 KTE SSP: Marantz AV8801 Cables: Wireworld Electra 7 (P) Wireworld Silver Eclipse 7, Shunyata Delta NR (I) Wireworld Silver Eclipse 7 (S) Wireworld Platinum Starlight 7 (USB) AC Power Regeneration: PS Audio DirectStream P15 Power Plant and Shunyata Denali 6000s V2. |
#33
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MC 462 Stereophile Review -May '19
This has become a great example of how to puke on a thread.
Want to add relevant commentary to the original post? Great, add it here. Want to speak about other products or direct comparisons of the MC462 to other products, start another thread. (Rant over)
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Main Equipment: Kharma Elegance dB11-S, JL Audio F113v2 X 2, Block Audio Line & Mono SE Amplification, Bricasti M21 DAC, Antipodes Kala K-50 Server, Clearaudio Performance SE. Satisfy tonearm & Maestro Wood MM cartridge. Power: Shunyata Everest 8000, Sigma XC v2, Sigma NR v2, Block Audio PCs, Defender, ADDPowr Wizard Grounding: Shunyata Altaira CGS - 4 X Alpha CGS cables, Network : Supra Cat 8+, Twin (Nenon) Modified Buffalo GS2016 Switches, Keces P3 LPSU, Cables: Wireworld Platinum 8 USB, Wireworld Platinum 8 Speaker cables, 6M & 1M Tubulus Concentus ICs, Other:Two PSI Audio AVAA C20, Multiple GIK products, Stillpoint Apertures, Stillpoint Minis and Ultra SS, Three 20 Amp lines, Furutech GTX - Gold outlets, Adona Rack |
#34
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Dan STUDIO - McIntosh C1000C/P, MC2301 (2), MR88, Aurender N10, Esoteric K-01X, Shunyata Sigma spdif digital cable, Sonos Connect, PurePower 2000, Stillpoints, Furutech Flux 50, Michell Gyro SE, Michell HR Power Supply, SME 309, Ortofon Cadenza Black, Wireworld, Sonus faber Amati Anniversario LIVING ROOM - McIntosh C2300, MC75 (2), MR85, Magnum Dynalab 205, Simaudio MOON Neo 260D-T, Schiit Audio Yggdrasil, Aurender N100H, Shunyata Sigma USB cable, Micro Seiki DD40, Ortofon Cadenza Blue, Nakamichi BX-300, Sony 60ES DAT, PS Audio P10, Furutech Flux 50, Sonos Connect, Stillpoints, Wireworld, Kimber, PMC EB1i, JL Audio f113 VINTAGE - McIntosh MA230, Tandberg 3011A tuner, Olive 04HD, Sony DTC-59ES DAT, McIntosh 4300V, JBL 4312A |
#35
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Earlier in the thread the MC462 was being compared to the Bryston 28B-3 (albeit loosely) which is not a logical apples-to-apples comparison to make. Price was also cited (although it wasn't clear which was presumed to hold the advantage in that regard).
A little further delving was in order to shed some light on the matter. After navigating Bryston's site (with some difficulty), I was unable to find a comparable unit to the MC462 therefore proceeded to find the closest comparable McIntosh unit to the Bryston 28B-3 thus being in a much better position to compare the the respective offerings which was intended to prove enlightening to the reader, not destructive. It's also commonplace for discussion to deviate from the OP and as all commentary thus far has been respectfully & thoughtfully presented, it's difficult to understand the reason for such a characterization. Last edited by 62caddy; 04-19-2019 at 05:10 PM. |
#36
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I hope many will read the Stereophile review. Basically, the 462 is a 500 W/ch stereo amp that will compete favorably sound and spec wise with any 500 watt stereo amp on the planet. Cosmetically, it has no peer. It is both beautiful and functional. I find the meters very useful. I try to listen to my Alexx between 1.2 and 12 watts unless I realy want to crank it up but never over 120.
However, the Thor is very different. For example I was watching Aquaman. The low frequency effects of this movie are amazing. I noticed this from the outset. I had the volume set on 45 which just about brought down my room. During the fight between King Orm and Aquaman at about the midpoint in the movie the needle flew past 1,200 watts. It was difficult to appreciate there was a particularly low note that set the needle off. The whole fight was quite loud and amazing in terms of sound effects both low and higher frequency. It surprised me. I don't want to damage my system. I turned the volume down to 44. My Alex were hitting 240. I would never have know this without the Mac meters. I want the movie to be loud but under no circumstances to damage my speakers. Clipping can do this. Dag meters are very insensitive I understand and basically useless for this reason. Mac meters are extremely sensitive and therefore very useful. To develop their meters from scratch would add thousands of dollars to a rival amp. Ditto for autoformers, etc. You get so much more with a Mac amp than any other amp but competition and opposing opinions make the world go round. I want folks to buy and love their gear. It makes my Mac gear all the more special. Last edited by Charles; 04-19-2019 at 02:05 PM. |
#37
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^^
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McIntosh MA8000; McIntosh MC1502; Canton Vento Reference 1 DC; E.A.T. E-Flat; Soundsmith Paua Mk II; Technics SL 1210 MK5; Audio Technica AT-150 MLX; Tascam BR-20; Teac X1000R; Pioneer RT-707; Oppo UDP 205; Denon DCD A-100; HP All-In-One Touchscreen Server; JRiver MC 28; Woo Audio WA6; Shure SRH 1840; SVS SB 1000; Jolida 502BRC; Jolida JD9; VPI 16.5 RCM; Wireworld Oasis 8 Speaker Cables; Audoquest Columbia 72 DBS IC's; Panamax PM-5400 (source components only) |
#38
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Great review! Though I have to say, other than the measurements (which are great), the review really only shows how great the MC462 pairs with Harbeth or B&W speakers. The B&W sounded like were on loan and new to the reviewer. It's really hard to do any comparison when they don't keep their speakers, preamps, etc. consistent across their amp reviews. Don't get me wrong, it is a great read and a good data point.
In my opinion, McIntosh + B&W sounds great. B&W speakers tend to be on the brighter side. It would be awesome for them to try pairing the MC462 with equivalent sized warmer sounding speaker. That would make an awesome review/comparison, at least for me. |
#39
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I just read the Stereophile review elsewhere. The one interesting thing I read was at the end during the Q&A with Charlie Randall. In it, he mentions they are working on a new of amplifier for introduction later this year.
From the article: “....We are going to work on a crazy amplifier towards the end of this year that will bring both worlds (my edit - Tubes and Solid State) together. From a performance standpoint, it is purely subjective—it's what you like to listen to. I like them both. I think vacuum tubes do a better job in some areas, and solid-state, same way.”
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Main Equipment: Kharma Elegance dB11-S, JL Audio F113v2 X 2, Block Audio Line & Mono SE Amplification, Bricasti M21 DAC, Antipodes Kala K-50 Server, Clearaudio Performance SE. Satisfy tonearm & Maestro Wood MM cartridge. Power: Shunyata Everest 8000, Sigma XC v2, Sigma NR v2, Block Audio PCs, Defender, ADDPowr Wizard Grounding: Shunyata Altaira CGS - 4 X Alpha CGS cables, Network : Supra Cat 8+, Twin (Nenon) Modified Buffalo GS2016 Switches, Keces P3 LPSU, Cables: Wireworld Platinum 8 USB, Wireworld Platinum 8 Speaker cables, 6M & 1M Tubulus Concentus ICs, Other:Two PSI Audio AVAA C20, Multiple GIK products, Stillpoint Apertures, Stillpoint Minis and Ultra SS, Three 20 Amp lines, Furutech GTX - Gold outlets, Adona Rack |
#40
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The complete review is now up on the Stereophile website.
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Main System: Amati Futura Mains Amati Homage VOX Center, Proac Response 1sc Rears, Three MC2301's for L,C,R MC 602 for the rears C 1100, MX 151, MCD 1100, MR 80 Nottingham Dais with Wave Mechanic Sumiko Palo Santos Presentation SurfacePro 3, RPi 4, ROON, WW Starlight Platinum USB, Schiit Yggdrasil, Benchmark DAC3 HGC MX 151, OppO BDP-95, JVC RS-500 DILA projector, 106" diagonal Stewart Luxus Screenwall Deluxe with Studiotek 130 G3 material. Lake House: Ohm F, MC 275V, C2300, MR 77, Rega P3 OnDeck: McIntosh MAC 4300v |
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