MC2301 vs MC1.2KW

[Masterlu]

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.

I never really had the desire to do it, however if I'm board one day maybe I will.

[MisterBritt]

Originally Posted by jdandy

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

Cool. Well, you beat me to the punch. I had been wondering if the MC2301s could conquer the Death Star.

[m.tonetti]

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?

Originally Posted by Masterlu

I never really had the desire to do it, however if I'm board one day maybe I will.

Indeed it would be very interesting.

Thanks Ivan.

[Jerome W]

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.

No, that was not me. I stated that there was more air between instruments with the 2301's.
But yes, now that you mention it, 2301's have a more holographic image than the 1.2.
These are lot of advantages for the 2301's but I have to mention that due to their warmer sound, 1.2 will be easier to match with different speakers.
The bass of the 1.2 is more tight, but it is especially more DRY. So many will prefer it over the 2301 bass, which is more tuneful, richer but with less impact. That is a question of taste. I favor harmonic richness over pure dry force. That is why I prefer the 2301 bass.
I also prefer the 2301 for its flatter response.
The 1.2, like the 501's tend to emphasize bass and lower mids over the treble.
Treble richness and extension is much higher with the 2301's, to my ears at least.
Feeling closer to reality is usually appreciated but not when the recordings are so so. As I mentioned already, the 1.2 and even more the 501's are more friendly to the ears with less than average recordings.

[m.tonetti]

Originally Posted by C220MC275

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...

Thanks Jérôme, very interesting report.

Originally Posted by C220MC275

... 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.

It is usually the opposite.

[m.tonetti]

Originally Posted by C220MC275

No, that was not me. I stated that there was more air between instruments with the 2301's.
But yes, now that you mention it, 2301's have a more holographic image than the 1.2.
These are lot of advantages for the 2301's but I have to mention that due to their warmer sound, 1.2 will be easier to match with different speakers.
The bass of the 1.2 is more tight, but it is especially more DRY. So many will prefer it over the 2301 bass, which is more tuneful, richer but with less impact. That is a question of taste. I favor harmonic richness over pure dry force. That is why I prefer the 2301 bass.
I also prefer the 2301 for its flatter response.
The 1.2, like the 501's tend to emphasize bass and lower mids over the treble.
Treble richness and extension is much higher with the 2301's, to my ears at least.
Feeling closer to reality is usually appreciated but not when the recordings are so so. As I mentioned already, the 1.2 and even more the 501's are more friendly to the ears with less than average recordings.

Thanks again Jérôme.

Have you tried bi-amp with MC501 (Bass) & MC2301 (Mid/High)?

[Jerome W]

Originally Posted by m.tonetti

Thanks again Jérôme.

Have you tried bi-amp with MC501 (Bass) & MC2301 (Mid/High)?

Massimo,
No I did not.
The 501's got a buyer at a good price prior to the arrival of the 2301's.
But I have no regrets.
I prefer highly the 2301 bass over the 501's.
But I would love to biamp actively my speakers with an other pair of 2301's !
I know Dave, I know, "it 's only money" !

[Whatever]

Just a wishing....

What does the 2301 cost ?

[MisterBritt]

Originally Posted by Whatever1

Just a wishing....

What does the 2301 cost ?

They retail for $22,000 for the pair.

[m.tonetti]

Originally Posted by MisterBritt

They retail for $22,000 for the pair.

In Italy the list price is 38K € (49.6K $) for a pair!