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McIntosh Audio A Tradition of Excellence

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  #11  
Old 10-02-2018, 07:27 PM
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W9TR W9TR is offline
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Originally Posted by jayvis View Post
I agree with Charles. I'm one who believes it's very hard to detect any appreciable audible differences between modern McIntosh tube and solid state power amps. The only things gained by tube power amps are their limitations driving certain speakers, operational quirks, and potential tube replacements down the road. Those supposed "gains" just aren't appealing to many. Of course, if you're a sucker for glowing tube aesthetics, you've probably already made up your mind.


This does not match my personal and extended listening experience with MC 2301’s and MC 601’s in my home. I forgot to mention I also listened to both amps with Sonus Faber Amati Futura speakers with similar results. Maybe the MC 601’s are not the best McIntosh power amplifiers but I have no personal experience with the MC 1.2kw or other larger amps so I can’t comment on those. I do own an MC 602 and it may qualify as a modern McIntosh solid state amp as it is quad balanced, but again, the MC 2301 clearly beats it in overall sonics, at least to my ears.

Tubes are an expense and a pita to deal with. There is no debating that - it’s fact. So you have to decide if the juice is worth the squeeze.

Tom
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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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  #12  
Old 10-05-2018, 05:31 PM
Charles Charles is offline
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Originally Posted by W9TR View Post
This does not match my personal and extended listening experience with MC 2301’s and MC 601’s in my home. I forgot to mention I also listened to both amps with Sonus Faber Amati Futura speakers with similar results. Maybe the MC 601’s are not the best McIntosh power amplifiers but I have no personal experience with the MC 1.2kw or other larger amps so I can’t comment on those. I do own an MC 602 and it may qualify as a modern McIntosh solid state amp as it is quad balanced, but again, the MC 2301 clearly beats it in overall sonics, at least to my ears.

Tubes are an expense and a pita to deal with. There is no debating that - it’s fact. So you have to decide if the juice is worth the squeeze.

Tom
I believe the discussion was about the C1100 vs the 2301 regarding what to build a system around. The 2301 is an extremely fine tube power amp, no question, but it won't work well with every speaker. I think the C1100 will. Also the statement about it being the "gold standard" meaning its up there with the best 2 or 3 power amps in existence, well that's saying a lot.

Last edited by Charles; 10-05-2018 at 05:48 PM.
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  #13  
Old 10-05-2018, 06:46 PM
soundslikemusic soundslikemusic is offline
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the c1100 is the best pre-amp that Mc makes.
added beauty, it not only works well with Mcintosh tube or s/s amps but have worked with other amps as well.. Ive seen a few forum members use it with Pass labs.
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