MC2301 vs MC1.2KW

[m.tonetti]

Merits, lacks, peculiarity….

I’m speaking to ones who have one of the two models and are able to compare them.
I ask these lucky ones if they can tell me something about.
Obviously at the same power output.

Tubes vs Solid State.

Thanks in advance.

[wakkz]

Only thing I have to say is *DROOOOL*

[hkval]

I own the 1.2KW's and have heard the 2301's and there is no way you could be disappointed with either one. To me, they do not need to be compared, just enjoyed. Whichever ones ends up in your home will be the correct choice.

[Vintage Pete]

Originally Posted by hkval

I own the 1.2KW's and have heard the 2301's and there is no way you could be disappointed with either one. To me, they do not need to be compared, just enjoyed. Whichever ones ends up in your home will be the correct choice.

This definitely seems to have a ring of truth Howard!!

Pete

[Masterlu]

Since I own them both, I'll chime in. I have been a SS amp user for as long as I can remember.

The MC1.2KW is an absolutely wonderful amp. It has massive current and grips your speakers like no other. Sound is both delicate and full of finesse, while also maintaining massive reserve power for incredible dynamics and headroom.

For my 2-channel room I chose to use the MC2301. They would mate perfectly with my SF Strad's also rated for 300w. What I found out was the 2301's have a remarkable personality. They are warm and lifelike sounding, yet can also drive the Strad's to their upper limits.

I believe I am fortunate to have the best of both world's. A highly detailed, warm & accurate 2 channel rig; and a ultra-high power SS theater employing "10" MC1.2KW's. Since the majority of content played in the theater is concerts and movies, the high power SS lend themselves to producing a visceral reality that is difficult if not impossible to achieve otherwise.

[wakkz]

Ten mc1.2 in a system is unreal!

[piolaxo]

Masterlu, have you tried a direct A-B comparison by connecting the 1.2KW to the
strads since they are almost side by side or the two-channel and HT systems have
never been tested differently despite the fact that they are all sitting right by each
other? Maybe it's sacrilege but I like testing things and with the amount of gear that
you have it'd be a treat for sure.

[Jerome W]

Originally Posted by piolaxo

Masterlu, have you tried a direct A-B comparison by connecting the 1.2KW to the
strads since they are almost side by side or the two-channel and HT systems have
never been tested differently despite the fact that they are all sitting right by each
other? Maybe it's sacrilege but I like testing things and with the amount of gear that
you have it'd be a treat for sure.

This would be cool !
A member here ( don't remember his pseudo ) owned 1.2 kW and he switched to 2301's. He found the 2301's being better than the 1.2. I think that the final result will depend on your tastes of course, but mainly on the personality of your speakers.
I listened to the 1.2 on EB1 speakers during about 2 hours. I now own 2301 with EB1i speakers. My memory could be faulty but it seems to me that :
- 1.2 are warmer than the 2301. And this is the statement I 'm really sure of. The 501's are also warmer than the 2301.
- so you could think they are more tube sounding than the 2301 but wait :
- the 2301 have more finesse
- the 2301 have more attack
- the 2301 are more transparent and clear: they are indeed more NEUTRAL.
Funny cause usually tube amps are supposed to be less neutral than SS amps. The statement often heard that implies that Mc tube amps sound like SS amps and the reverse is quite true here.

To summarize, I think that both amps can drive any speaker. I mean that I don't think that some speakers could be driven better by 1.2 or 2301.
But 1.2 will fit better with very detailed and clear / analytic speakers ( Wilson, BW, Cabasse, Verity, Magico, Martin Logan, Magnepan.... )
2301 will fit better with warm speakers : PMC, ProAc, Mulidine, Rega, Harbeth...
Average clear / warm sounding speakers will be happy with both : SF, JBL, Linn, Klipsch, Tannoy, JMlab...

[MisterBritt]

Great post, Jerome. If I recall, you have previously weighed in on this topic. And I seem to recall -- or have imagined -- that you thought the 2301s are superior at creating more holographic sonic images. Am I remembering this correctly?

If you (or someone else) did indeed comment to that effect, I would love to read more of your impressions along those lines.

I'm kind of leaning into this by assuming that tonality is a big factor in creating convincing holographic sonic images. Pardon me, guys, if my articulation is a bit flowery. But what I'm trying to get at here is a different shade of the typical imaging discussion.

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by MisterBritt

Great post, Jerome. If I recall, you have previously weighed in on this topic. And I seem to recall -- or have imagined -- that you thought the 2301s are superior at creating more holographic sonic images. Am I remembering this correctly?

If you (or someone else) did indeed comment to that effect, I would love to read more of your impressions along those lines.

I'm kind of leaning into this by assuming that tonality is a big factor in creating convincing holographic sonic images. Pardon me, guys, if my articulation is a bit flowery. But what I'm trying to get at here is a different shade of the typical imaging discussion.

Britt.......Holographic sonic imaging is the elusive goal we all share.