McIntosh MC830 vs MC312

[miatadan]

I purchased the McIntosh MC312 power amplifier, first month it was available.

Would the newer McIntosh MC830 out perform the MC312 due to monoblock design.

Maybe not having autoformers be considered a benefit when driving panel speakers?

Or would the only upgrade path as far as monoblocks be the MC611 and higher?

Are the meters smaller than what I have on the MC312 ? Hard to judge from photos of MC830.

Dan

[JWJW]

Not sure about the 830’s, but your 312 is incredible. I had one for a short time and thought it was the best sounding Mc amp I’ve owned. You might notice an improvement moving to 611’s, but man, the 312 is tough to beat.

[miatadan]

Originally Posted by JWJW

Not sure about the 830’s, but your 312 is incredible. I had one for a short time and thought it was the best sounding Mc amp I’ve owned. You might notice an improvement moving to 611’s, but man, the 312 is tough to beat.

I did find the MC312 an improvement over the MC302 which I had for 10 years.

The other option I was considering is the MC1502 tube power amplifier but sure how well tubes would work with Magnepan's

Dan

[JWJW]

Originally Posted by miatadan

I did find the MC312 an improvement over the MC302 which I had for 10 years.

The other option I was considering is the MC1502 tube power amplifier but sure how well tubes would work with Magnepan's

Dan

I have a 1502 ready to be installed. I’m waiting for my new rack to be delivered. I can’t wait.

[miatadan]

Originally Posted by JWJW

I have a 1502 ready to be installed. I’m waiting for my new rack to be delivered. I can’t wait.

Can you give me update on the sound of the MC1502 when you have it set up since you have heard the MC312 ?
With the MC312 , meters do not go past the 30 watt mark in general. So thinking the 150 watts per channel from tubes will wotk well.

Thanks

Dan

[TWInsall]

With way over 500 watt capability at 4 ohms and not affected by large impedance swings by loudspeakers versus out put is why I ordered two 830's. I could have chosen a pre-owned 452 or 462, but my XRT28's and the 830's should be a perfect match. I checked the schematic and the poly switches limit power to appox 560 watts rms when cold and 384 watts when warm rms continuous to the woofers of the XRT 28's before disconnecting the woofers. I am using one channel each from my two 207's at the moment. disconnecting the side speakers of the HT system. The power guard does flash once in a while with direct to disc and some of my live recordings and the 207's have shut down twice playing big Classical live organ recordings. But normally 30 to 60 watt short peaks is all I ever see on the meters with 4 to 5 watt average levels. Its really amazing having speakers flat down to 16 HZ, with that great midrange clarity with very low distortion. It makes a big difference for me anyway.

[JWJW]

Originally Posted by miatadan

Can you give me update on the sound of the MC1502 when you have it set up since you have heard the MC312 ?
With the MC312 , meters do not go past the 30 watt mark in general. So thinking the 150 watts per channel from tubes will wotk well.

Thanks

Dan

U bet. Will do. :-)

[Soro86]

I am new here and the proud owner of a 2 week old MC1502. It is my first Mc and I am using it with Martin Logan 11A's and it has no trouble controlling these panels and sounds great so far. Not sure what the break in time on these are.
I used VTL MB250's for 10 yrs prior to this.
You should listen to the tubes vs the SS Mc sound to decide your preference. Tube watts and SS watts very different and would not use that as your guide. Good luck!