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  #1  
Old 11-18-2021, 09:58 AM
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FreddieFerric FreddieFerric is offline
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Default It's Decision Time

Time to get off the fence. It's either the MC462 or MC1502. Whatever I decide the amp will be driving big full range Canton's. My present 300WPC integrated handles them quite nicely and I know the 462 will have no problems with them.

If there is a concern, it would be with the 150WPC tube amp. The Canton's are not unreasonably insensitive at 89.5 db. And of course I've heard sooo many times over that "tube watts" are more robust than solid state watts. Whether that's true I can't say. I know there are a couple of members here who've owned the 1502 and loved the amp.

So my question: Should I be concerned about the 1502's ability to drive the Canton's satisfactorily. I don't listen to loud music very much, but do from time to time. What I prefer is low to moderate levels of sound, and what I do want is an amp that can deliver reasonable dynamics within that listening range.

All this said, I've been sort of out of tubes for a while now and have an itch to get back to them again. This is the reason the sugar plum fairies have been dancing over my head at night.

So, I'm appealing to the AA brain trust here. What should I expect with the Canton/1502 pairing? The 1502 is a pricey piece of kit and I'm worried to shell out that kind of coin only to be disappointed.
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Last edited by FreddieFerric; 11-18-2021 at 10:02 AM.
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  #2  
Old 11-18-2021, 10:06 AM
cleeds cleeds is offline
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Originally Posted by FreddieFerric View Post
... What should I expect with the Canton/1502 pairing? The 1502 is a pricey piece of kit and I'm worried to shell out that kind of coin only to be disappointed.
Why not ask your dealer for a home demo?
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Old 11-18-2021, 10:12 AM
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FreddieFerric FreddieFerric is offline
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Why not ask your dealer for a home demo?
The dealer is unfortunately Magnolia at BestBuy. Less than ideal and I highly doubt they have the amp in stock anyway.

I am heading over there today for a visit and recon.

(Part of the problem of living in this area. All the hi-end dealers vanished years ago)
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Old 11-18-2021, 10:46 AM
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Allow me to give you this tip. With your speakers the 1502 would have shortness of breath not only at high volumes but also at moderate volumes. Your speakers need a bigger motor to be driven well even at all listening volumes. In my opinion you should orient yourself on the 462 or, if they have to be valves, on the 2301. Nothing less.
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  #5  
Old 12-11-2021, 11:31 AM
McIntosh-maTRiX McIntosh-maTRiX is offline
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Originally Posted by Vignotra View Post
In my opinion you should orient yourself on the 462 or, if they have to be valves, on 2301. Nothing less.
Fully agree with you.
I would orient to a pair of MC611s or, better yet, a pair of MC3500 MKIIs.
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  #6  
Old 12-11-2021, 11:43 AM
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Fully agree with you.
I would orient to a pair of MC611s or, better yet, a pair of MC3500 MKIIs.
It sure is fun spending other folks' money!!

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Main System: VPI Prime Signature TT in Rosewood, Ortofon Cadenza Black, Stillpoints LP1 V2, McIntosh: MP100, MR78, MCD1000 Transport on Stillpoint Ultra Minis, MDA1000 D/A Converter on Stillpoint Ultra Minis, MS750 Music Server, C40, MC501's (3), Soundcraftsmen: DC2215 Eq/AS1000 Real time analyzer, DBX 3BX II, Carver C9, Nakamichi Dragon, Crown SX724, Crown D-75A (as headphone amp), Sony XBR55X900E 4K TV, JBL L220A's, JBL B460, Sumo Delilah active crossover, WireWorld Silver Eclipse audio interconnects, WireWorld Starlight and Silver Starlight Coaxial Digital interconnects, Wireworld SuperNova 7 Toslink digital interconnect, WireWorld Aurora 7 and Silver Electra Power cords, Wireworld Silver Eclipse 8 speaker cables, Terk AF-1 Powered Antenna, Oppo UDP-205 4K Blu-Ray Player, Bryson BUC-1 USB Converter, Wireworld Gold Starlight XLR Digital interconnect, PS Audio Direct Stream Power Plant 12 on Stillpoint Ultra Minis, PS Audio Dectect, FuruTech Flux-50 NCF Inline Power Filter, Add-Powr Wizard EM Field AC Line conditioner; Stillpoint Ultra SS's under (3) McIntosh MC501 Amplifiers

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Office System: Marantz 150 Tuner, Crown DL 2, Crown EQ 2, Crown SA 2, Crown D-75A (as headphone amp), McIntosh MCD7009 (as transport), DBX 3BX Series II, Oppo BDP-103 Blu-ray player, JBL 4401's, JL Audio E112 Subwoofer, Samsung 5500 series 32" Smart TV, Wire World Oasis audio interconnects, Wire World Solstice speaker cables, Wyred for Sound DAC-2 DSDse Digital to Analog converter, Wireworld Starlight Coaxial Digital Interconnect, Sennheiser HD800 Headphones, Sennheiser HDVA600 Headphone amp, Wireworld Silver Eclipse Balanced Interconnects, Wireworld Platinum Starlight USB Cable, Add-Powr EAU-2 AC Harmonic resonator

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  #7  
Old 12-11-2021, 12:04 PM
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Originally Posted by Vintage Pete View Post
It sure is fun spending other folks' money!!




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  #8  
Old 12-11-2021, 12:44 PM
McIntosh-maTRiX McIntosh-maTRiX is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vintage Pete View Post
It sure is fun spending other folks' money!!

Ahahaha, oh yeah.
At least for once, I don't pay the bill...

Seriously the 3500 would make those speakers fly, and for me, it would be the best choice if you love tubes...

Last edited by McIntosh-maTRiX; 12-11-2021 at 12:47 PM.
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  #9  
Old 11-18-2021, 10:47 AM
nikto34 nikto34 is offline
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What is your typical listening level? If you are not always listening flat out, I would think you would be fine. From what I have read, the 1502 is conservatively rated at 150W. I use a MC275 mkVI and it can easily do 90W.
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  #10  
Old 11-18-2021, 11:09 AM
1KW 1KW is offline
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What kind of music do you like to listen to and how loud, are going to have a powered sub. ?
I ask these questions because depending on if you like to listen to lower volume acoustic music or loud rock will make a difference. A powered sub with a crossover at say 75 hz would take some of the strain off the tube amp. As well. I agree to play it safe get the 462 and maybe a tube pre amp.
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