Center Channel with MC452/MC462
 

For those using a 2-channel McIntosh for the mains, what are you using to power the Center channel? I was going to get an MC301 until I discovered that they are discontinued. MC611s are too tall for my space for a Center channel amp. Maybe biamping with an MC152?

I am using 802d3s and an htm1d3 for the front stage, if that matters.

I use a MC205 but only because it also powers the rear speakers

I was using my MC8207 for all 7 channels (movies and stereo) and recently acquired a MC462 that will too power my mains (I have not hooked it up yet as I moved and am in process of completing my new theater room). I inquired about the power gap between the mains and the remaining 5 channels, and was told my MX122 would in essence “cap” the output of the 462 to match the 8207. I don’t know if this is true, and again have not yet had the opportunity to see for myself, but this might be something to consider in your final choice. Maybe someone can confirm this is the case....

-Ryan

I acquired my opinion on this subject many years ago and it's the same today. Using multiple expensive and overpowered amps to drive relatively inefficient speakers in a home theater system is overkill and a waste of my hard earned dollars. Regardless of how large your theater room may be, one good quality multi-channel amp paired with good quality efficient speakers is all you need for today's movies. I've experienced some $100k plus mega theater systems that were able to drive me out of the room with ear melting volume levels, while leaving me underwhelmed and glad that I never went down that path with my own system. I've always placed a higher priority on one main 2 channel amp/preamp to drive my 2 main higher end speakers. 2 channel music is where I do all of what I consider to be critical listening. Pairing that setup with a decent/less expensive multi-channel amp and high efficiency speakers for movies, is the most practical and fulfilling approach for me. Remember folks, we're talking about movies here where dynamics are more important than actual sound quality and accuracy. Today's moderately priced and powered multi-channel amps from manufacturer's like Marantz and Anthem are more than capable of standing toe-to-toe with their higher priced and powered competitors when watching movies or TV. I'm not trying to tell everyone how to spend their money, but I just cringe when people are led down a crooked and uneven gold brick road.

I use the MC601 for center channel.

XCS2K driven by 3 x MC1.2KW’s in both of my theaters.

Still incredible to fathom that even after all of these years. Talk about not messing around!

How about a MC-830. Close to 400 watts 8 ohms before the power Guard comes on and 600 watts at 4 ohms. I use two of them for my XRT 28's. I rarely use more than 60 watts unless its for a source containing a lot of big peaks. They are cleaner on the high end than the two channels of my 207's I was using temporarily. I thought about getting a pre-owned 452, but I didn't need to be dealing with that much weight. The 830's are bad enough. Reconfiguring my two 207's was was a
struggle for sure and I didn't want that again.

This is a great suggestion. I didn’t know that this amp existed and looks perfect for the job (other than not having autoformers to match the MC462). So my two options are:

1) Get an MC830 for the center and use the MC462 for the fronts and my already owned non-McIntosh amps to power the rest.

2) Get an MC8207 or MC257 and run the center and rest of the system off of that.

I’m leaning toward option 1. Can you clarify the numbers though? Your 400w at 8 ohm and 600w at 4 ohm numbers are much higher than the McIntosh ratings. Are they just very underrated?