Quote:
Originally Posted by kevtn8
Don't get me wrong. This will be a great amp because it's still a McIntosh. Their history, knowledge and engineering of tube amps is unrivaled. Without actually hearing it and considering the cost, I just think it's better for people to hang onto their Mc2301 , Mc1502 or Mc275 unless they really need all that tube power. For people that have already ordered, congratulations. It should be a special amp.
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kevtn8, I need the extra power with my XVX. I personally believe your arguments do not apply to either the original or new 3500. The 3500 is the most sought after Mac tube amp. In mint the 3500 sells for 60K/pair. There was a similar incorrect assessment of the new C12000 and its new phono stage compared to the C1100. You are making an incorrect assessment about the new tubes Mac is using when actually they are the strength of the design. Technology changes. It is natural to criticize a new design. The linearity circuit was also present in the old 3500. Mac has made the MKII similar to the older version in all respects. I certainly would not sell my 2301 if I owned one but I greatly prefer the new 3500 to the 2301 for my purposes. I regard the 3500 MKII as a super high power tube amp. However, there is no question that if you don't need the extra power, the 2301 will be a fierce competitor, just not for me.
Best
Charles
p.s. Note my new plinth installed yesterday by dealer. Thor is off my floor. Bass remarkably improved. I should have done this years ago but the bass was soo good I didn't believe it could be improved. I should have listened to Ivan and others on the website who told me to get my Thor off the floor. Pics up on Wilson Forum.
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Charles Updated System: Wilson McIntosh Audioquest
New gear on order: McIntosh MC3500 MK II mono power amp, one per channel; custom granite slabs to set my MC3500 MKII’s
Most recent updates: Latest is the last one posted: AQ Diamond USB replaces AQ Coffee; Wilson Audio Specialties Alexx replaced by Wilson Audio Specialties XVX Chronosonic; new subwoofer crossover; new Galaxy Grey Thors Hammer; Wilson Pedestals; heating and cooling completely reworked and reinsulated resulting in a much quieter, cooler, and more efficient room (cost about 10,000.00). McIntosh MCT 500 SACD/CD transport. Wilson Audio Acoustic Diode for XVX Chronosonic. WEL Signature digital Coaxial cable for MVP 881/D1100 digital connection replacing the optical connection. New plinth for Thor subwoofer made of X material with the Wilson Acoustic Diodes. Thor is now off my floor.
Amps: McIntosh 1.25KW’s (3) set on floor on custom made cultured marble slabs
Preamp and DAC: McIntosh D1100
Sources: McIntosh MCT 500 SACD/CD Transport, MVP881 BR player, MVP851 DVD player, MR87 tuner, Marantz 510LV Laser Disc player, ASUS laptop USB (JRiver Media Center 23)
Speakers: Wilson Audio Specialties XVX Chronosonic
Sub-woofer: Wilson Audio Specialties Thor’s Hammer (1) horizontal lie and Wilson Watch Controller (abbr: WC); custom plinth of X material with Wilson Acoustic Diode feet
Cables main system: Audioquest WEL Signature speaker cables and balanced IC (preamp to amps); WEL Signature AES/EBU balanced digital IC for CD playback; WEL Signature digital coaxial cable for MVP 881/D1100 digital connection; Audioquest Diamond optical (1) for tuner, (1) for MVP 851 DVD player, and (1) for LD player for total of (3); Audioquest Diamond USB cable; McIntosh MCT cable for SACD playback; Dragon power cords (5 HC cords and 3 source cords for total of 8); Thunder HC power cord for MR87 tuner
Cables subwoofer system: Audioquest Redwood speaker cable (1); Wolf balanced subwoofer IC from WC to amp; Wind balanced IC from preamp to WC; Hurricane HC (2) and Dragon HC (1) power cords
Power conditioners: Audioquest Niagara 7000 (1) and Niagara 5000 (3); (4) dedicated 20-amp lines with no. 10 wire straight out of fuse box
Isolation: Wilson Pedestals for D1100; MVP 881 BR player; MCT 500 transport; MVP 851 DVD player
Cabinet: Double Custom Woodwork & Design (CWD) solid walnut cabinet on large casters; holds all sources and preamp; also, Niagara 7000; 11 feet minimum distance from speakers
Acoustic Treatments: Room and Echo Tunes
AC: Dedicated to this room only, an ultra-high efficiency and quiet recently installed Ruud split system 3-ton heat pump.