"1000" System build. Help. 402 or 501?

[ChicagoDog]

Everyone has an opinion and most people like to spend other people's money. With that being said....Some of you may recognize me and my posts regarding my need to sell all my McIntosh gear. I'm a buyer now, not a seller so I'm back now and I'm rebuilding. I have a dealer sign (looks nice, doesn't sound like much, lol) and a broken (soon to be rebuilt) MS750 along with Legacy Focus speakers....now on to the better stuff...I just received a MCD1000 from AC and a MDA1000 is in transit as of tomorrow afternoon. Sticking with an "all 1000 series" theme I plan to add a C1000 tube preamp in the future, along with the solid state pre amp box too. Right now I need an amp or two. 402 or 501 is my budget. Both are quad balanced, both probably have more than enough power for my needs (I used to have a single MC352) Both feature factory led lighting so no worry about bulb replacement right? The 501's are slightly more $ and would eliminate my desire to add an additional 402 in the future and running 2 of the 402 in mono. The 501 would allow me to save $ towards adding the c1000T sooner than later too. Room is 12.5 feet wide, 7 foot ceiling and 32 feet long. Thoughts?

[Masterlu]

Join the Club!

[ChicagoDog]

Masterlu, your join the club suggestion could cost me a LOT of money, considering YOU are in ALL the clubs!! lol

[jdandy]

Doug.......You can't go wrong with a pair of MC501's. If you are also considering a MC402, my suggestion would be to raise the bar and consider an MC452. I have a MC452 and believe it outperforms my old MC501's. Just some food for thought.

[JWJW]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Doug.......You can't go wrong with a pair of MC501's. If you are also considering a MC402, my suggestion would be to raise the bar and consider an MC452. I have a MC452 and believe it outperforms my old MC501's. Just some food for thought.

Agree Dan I preferred my 452 to my 501's as well.
I do think, the 3-D glass amp were better looking.... JMHO.

[ChicagoDog]

452 is out of the running for me. #1 reason is $$ and #2 reason is I want mono-blocks OR a stereo amp that can be configured mono. I had a 352 in the past and was just fine with it for the most part. Seems as if the 402 is only a 352 with a beefed up power supply and 50 extra watts. SO....I'm really just trying to narrow down between the 402 and the 501's. The 501 sure would give instant gratification versus a single 402. Decisions, decisions.

[rnrmf1971]

Yeah, if you're already thinking about 2 402's, bite the bullet and get the 501's. They are really nice looking. I definitely like the look better than 402's.
In the context of all you're purchasing for this system, 2 501's versus 2 402's isn't an enormous amount more.
Damn they're handsome amps - these are my old ones when I was selling them:

[richardallred]

Originally Posted by rnrmf1971

Yeah, if you're already thinking about 2 402's, bite the bullet and get the 501's. They are really nice looking. I definitely like the look better than 402's.

In the context of all you're purchasing for this system, 2 501's versus 2 402's isn't an enormous amount more.

Damn they're handsome amps - these are my old ones when I was selling them:

My 501's before I upgraded






IMG_0460.JPG

[Blueoak]

Join the 601 club.

[vintage_tube]

Originally Posted by ChicagoDog

I'm really just trying to narrow down between the 402 and the 501's. The 501 sure would give instant gratification versus a single 402. Decisions, decisions.

This is the way I see your predicament -- You get the 402 BUT, the MC501 option will continue to pester you.

You really want the mono amps; so, get the mono amps. That was a quick decision. There is no one on AA that will tell you it was a wrong one.

Best Sir,

Bob