Most Impressive Thing about MC462….
 

In the past I had different power amplifiers starting with MC252, then MC501, MC302, MC312 and now MC462.

Before the MC462, my favourite amplifier was the MC501 mono power amplifiers.

Now not sure if actual listening there is much difference between 500 watts per channel of the MC501 and 450 watts per channel from MC462. But headroom ( dynamic power is better with the MC462 of 3dB vs 1.8dB of the MC501.

Now when even listening at low volume ( 0.45 on meters ) good bass response from Magnepan’s and impressive micro dynamics.

Colour me impressed

Dan

The MC462 is a fine amplifier Dan. Headroom is very important for low level listening.

I reviewed Paul Bolin's review in Stereophile 2004 of the MC501. It was a comprehensive review. I would recommend that anyone considering Mac read that review. I think the MC501 to be one of the finest power amps ever made by any company. Every once in a while a company like Mac does something magical when the whole is significantly greater than the sum of the parts. If I owned a 501 I would never part from it. It's one of the finest power amps ever made, IMO.

Now as to how it compares with a beautiful modern Mac power amp like a 462, I don't know. You have the new output transistors, better binding posts, upgraded parts. Both are quad balanced.

However the raw power of the 501 is impressive: 720 watts/1000 watts/630 watts 8/4/2 ohms continuous. The 501 is capable of driving any conceivable speaker easily. I don't know if the same can be said of a 462.

Mono amps are inherently better than stereo amps. The 501 would be in my top 10 vintage power amps ever made, maybe in the top 5. It's that special as far as I'm concerned.

Best

Charles

Charles....I sure do like these words, and can tell you I love my MC501's...all three of them. I have no doubt the 462 is a great amp, and probably the only amp I would consider replacing my 501's would be the 611's...which have a lot in common with the 462, but are mono amps with 600 watts each.

Is the MC501 really a vintage amp....already?? I believe it was introduced in 2004. I bought mine in 2008, and have had not the slightest hiccup or issue of any kind.

If I were to select a two channel amp from the MC line, no doubt the 462 would be first choice. :yes: :yes:

Pete, I hesitated to call it vintage. Mac began its production 20 years ago. What is your definition of vintage? You are a very fortunate fellow to own three of them. But there must be some connection between your AA nickname "Vintage Pete" and the 501. So I guess in my book, the it's a vintage amp on that basis:banana:

Best

Charles

There's no absolute definition, but most dabblers in and collectors of vintage gear use the "30 year rule," i.e. a product that was current production 30 years ago or more, or in today's timeline, anything pre-early 90s.

Charles....no, I had the moniker "Vintage Pete" before my purchase of the MC501's. It would point more to my MR74, MR78 and MR80 tuners, C32 preamp, MC2205 amp, my crown gear, etc.

I wouldn't argue with any gear before the turn of the century classified as vintage. Seems like a reasonable cutoff. Perhaps "classic" :yes: is a better classification for the 501.

Best

Charles

I definitely go along with that!! :yes: :yes: :yes:

With the passage of nearly two decades and the continued growth of the expertise at McIntosh Labs, it is not out of the realm of possibility that a new MC462 which will easily produce 500 W/channel might yield a more satisfying result in some systems (e.g., Magnepans) compared to a pair of MC501's. One has better individual components, improved topologies and power supplies, etc. and an MC462 might be judged "quicker" with more "grip" in the bass which some will argue (in any case) describes the subtle shift in Mac's house sound over the course of time. So, I believe Dan's observation to be a reasonable one in the context he reports. Undoubtedly, the MC501 is a great SS monoblock amp, but considering in a comparison an amp nearly two decades old reviewed nearly two decades ago suggests exercising some caution.

Happy listening.

Bob
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Sources: Clearaudio Jubilee MC/Clearaudio Innovation Wood TT w/Universal Arm 9” and Professional Power 24V; McIntosh MCT500 CD/SACD transport; OPPO 205; NAD C446 Internet Tuner; Nakamichi 670ZX cassette deck. Electronics: McIntosh C2700 preamp w/DA2 and MC462 power amp. Speakers: Wilson Yvettes with Acoustic Diodes Headphones: McIntosh MHP 1000 Interconnects: Transparent SBL2 XLR GEN 6 balanced and SSC8 GEN 6 speaker cables; MCT - MCT500 -> C2700.Power cords: Transparent (on preamp, power amp and transport). Surge protected. Record and CD maintenance : Clearaudio Double Matrix Professional Sonic RCM; L’Art du Son CD treatment.