I Joined the MC2301 Bandwagon!!! Wow!!!

[MarSanz]

Last Monday I took delivery of a mint pair of McIntosh MC2301 amplifiers. I didn't realize the size of these beasts, not to mention how much they weigh. Seeing them online versus in person are two different things. Moving them on my own from the garage down to my listening room took some planning, a few quilted blankets and a well placed roller dolly.

I have had my eye on these for some time but could not make up my mind if these would surpass my MC275. I was in for quite a surprise, the 2301s out of the box with stock tubes and cords were in a different league. I have had my MC275 for 15 years and it has been a worthy champion, but the past few years I’ve felt I needed to make some changes to take my listening experience to another level.

This past March I started with my phono stage, I moved from an SUT to the Sutherland Little Loco, this thing is impressive, my Dynavector XX2 MKII came to life like never before, I didn’t realize what I was missing. I figured if it made the XX2 sound like a cart 2x it’s worth, what would the DRT XV-1s sound like? In April I took another plunge, and the next two levels were achieved. I have since learned that the right phono stage is mission critical regardless of how good a cart can be.

I was happy…for a while (5 months); in the back of my mind I always felt something was missing. I have read countless threads on mono blocking two MC275s, would they really sound close enough to the MC2301s as some have said? How would I really know? Would 300W be overkill for my Harbeths SHL5s (Rated at 150W)? I am a car guy and believe you can never have enough power if you have control. Decision made.

I can tell you that the MC2301s are amazing in every facet, they are well built, sound superb and are simply gorgeous! This is what I was missing in my system all along, more power. The phono stage and cart upgrades beforehand have allowed them to truly shine. I’m hearing nuances I haven’t heard before in albums I have listened to for years. In fact, I am being rewarded with how voices and instruments should sound. Female vocals are lush and palpable, spot-on timbre, amazing decay, incredible soundstage with depth, precise instrument separation and layering, all bass ranges are rich, deep and melodious, that feeling you are there, or Vanessa Fernandez is sitting on my lap singing only to me, treble, mid-range and bass have stunning impact, and the sound fills the room in 3D! I can continue with the narratives and superlatives, but we all have been here before with one piece of equipment or another at some point and time.

The first 4 days I listened to the MC2301s with the stock cords and tubes, I swapped in Synergistic Research Galileo Power Cables when they arrived. This was yet another very pleasing level change, once they break in, I expect another step up in performance.

My order of Gold Lion KT88s and 12AT7s came in earlier today, I will swap them in this weekend. I did switch out the stock 12AT7s for the Mullard CV4024s I had on hand, they are nice as well. It will be interesting to see how they compare against the Gold Lions. Based on the reviews I have read on AA; the GLs are going to be keepers.

I probably blabbed on more than I needed to, but I am thrilled about the amazing MC2301s for many, many reasons! For once I don’t have buyer's remorse (well that didn't work out) or feel the need to upgrade, I can finally enjoy the music for a change without changing anything!

[audiogear]

Gorgeous setup! Those 2301s are monsters! Huge congratulations and cheers to many years of audio bliss!

[brownbear]

Very nice, big congrats!

[Masterlu]

Outstanding! I have Gold Lions in my 2301’s, you are in for a Real Treat!

[PeterMusic]

Hi MarSanz,

Beautiful! From my signature, you'll see we have similar tastes. A couple of questions:

On the phono stage--you were using a SUT into the C2300?. Doesn't the C2300 take an MC cartridge directly? Any comparisons there?

Did you try a pair of MC275s, or did you go directly from the single MC275 to the pair of 2301s?

Thanks

[Formerly YB-2]

Beautiful system.
BTW - did you try a pair of MC275s as monoblocks prior to the MC2301s?

[audioquest4life]

Originally Posted by MarSanz

Last Monday I took delivery of a mint pair of McIntosh MC2301 amplifiers. I didn't realize the size of these beasts, not to mention how much they weigh. Seeing them online versus in person are two different things. Moving them on my own from the garage down to my listening room took some planning, a few quilted blankets and a well placed roller dolly.

I have had my eye on these for some time but could not make up my mind if these would surpass my MC275. I was in for quite a surprise, the 2301s out of the box with stock tubes and cords were in a different league. I have had my MC275 for 15 years and it has been a worthy champion, but the past few years I’ve felt I needed to make some changes to take my listening experience to another level.

I was happy…for a while (5 months); in the back of my mind I always felt something was missing. I have read countless threads on mono blocking two MC275s, would they really sound close enough to the MC2301s as some have said? How would I really know? Would 300W be overkill for my Harbeths SHL5s (Rated at 150W)? I am a car guy and believe you can never have enough power if you have control. Decision made.

I can tell you that the MC2301s are amazing in every facet, they are well built, sound superb and are simply gorgeous! This is what I was missing in my system all along, more power. The phono stage and cart upgrades beforehand have allowed them to truly shine. I’m hearing nuances I haven’t heard before in albums I have listened to for years. In fact, I am being rewarded with how voices and instruments should sound. Female vocals are lush and palpable, spot-on timbre, amazing decay, incredible soundstage with depth, precise instrument separation and layering, all bass ranges are rich, deep and melodious, that feeling you are there, or Vanessa Fernandez is sitting on my lap singing only to me, treble, mid-range and bass have stunning impact, and the sound fills the room in 3D! I can continue with the narratives and superlatives, but we all have been here before with one piece of equipment or another at some point and time.

The first 4 days I listened to the MC2301s with the stock cords and tubes, I swapped in Synergistic Research Galileo Power Cables when they arrived. This was yet another very pleasing level change, once they break in, I expect another step up in performance.

My order of Gold Lion KT88s and 12AT7s came in earlier today, I will swap them in this weekend. I did switch out the stock 12AT7s for the Mullard CV4024s I had on hand, they are nice as well. It will be interesting to see how they compare against the Gold Lions. Based on the reviews I have read on AA; the GLs are going to be keepers.

I probably blabbed on more than I needed to, but I am thrilled about the amazing MC2301s for many, many reasons! For once I don’t have buyer's remorse (well that didn't work out) or feel the need to upgrade, I can finally enjoy the music for a change without changing anything!

Congratulations. Welcome to the MC2301 club. I purchased mine in 2013 and have never looked back at another amp, although I was tempted to trade in for MC3500s for a short minute…sound is different but not necessarily better to me.

The 2301s can do deep bass like crazy. With my previous B&W Nautilus 800s, the depth of bass was fantastic. Sometimes it was like I had a subwoofer on. With the Classic Audio Loudspeakers T1.5 reference field coils, the 18” downward bass really plays deep enough to make you believe that a subwoofer is on.

The clarity in details and that 3d holographic effect of music enveloping you is what the MC2301s are all about. Purely intoxicating and mesmerizing sound with the 2301s in the system. The GLs add another dimension of sound improvement although the factory tubes are good as is but it’s been reported and repeated many times over that the GLs offer the better Sound combination. Happy listening and enjoy.

[MarSanz]

Originally Posted by audiogear

Gorgeous setup! Those 2301s are monsters! Huge congratulations and cheers to many years of audio bliss!

Thank you! The are insanely huge!

Originally Posted by brownbear

Very nice, big congrats!

Thank you!

Originally Posted by Masterlu

Outstanding! I have Gold Lions in my 2301’s, you are in for a Real Treat!

Thanks Ivan, it's rainy and cool out today, the perfect time for tube rolling! I will share my thoughts once I have them up and running for a bit.

Originally Posted by PeterMusic

Hi MarSanz,

Beautiful! From my signature, you'll see we have similar tastes. A couple of questions:

On the phono stage--you were using a SUT into the C2300?. Doesn't the C2300 take an MC cartridge directly? Any comparisons there?

Did you try a pair of MC275s, or did you go directly from the single MC275 to the pair of 2301s?


Thanks

Yes we do, nice set up. I was using a Bob's Devices SUT through the C2300's MM Stage which was better that using the C2300's MC phono stage for my low output (.28mV) MC cartridge. The C2300's MC stage did not provide enough gain to properly drive the cartridge, turning up the gain in the Main Output for the C2300 produced too much white noise.

Originally Posted by Formerly YB-2

Beautiful system.
BTW - did you try a pair of MC275s as monoblocks prior to the MC2301s?

I did not, I felt it wasn't worth taking that chance, so I went for it which was the right decision and my set up is much cleaner looking with all cables at the back of the amp.

[MarSanz]

Originally Posted by audioquest4life

Congratulations. Welcome to the MC2301 club. I purchased mine in 2013 and have never looked back at another amp, although I was tempted to trade in for MC3500s for a short minute…sound is different but not necessarily better to me.

The 2301s can do deep bass like crazy. With my previous B&W Nautilus 800s, the depth of bass was fantastic. Sometimes it was like I had a subwoofer on. With the Classic Audio Loudspeakers T1.5 reference field coils, the 18” downward bass really plays deep enough to make you believe that a subwoofer is on.

The clarity in details and that 3d holographic effect of music enveloping you is what the MC2301s are all about. Purely intoxicating and mesmerizing sound with the 2301s in the system. The GLs add another dimension of sound improvement although the factory tubes are good as is but it’s been reported and repeated many times over that the GLs offer the better Sound combination. Happy listening and enjoy.

Thank you! I am glad to be a member.

Your comments I've put in bold are incredibly spot on, I couldn't have said it any better. When you know it, you know it.

How were the MC3500s different to your ears?

[audioquest4life]

Originally Posted by MarSanz

Thank you! I am glad to be a member.

Your comments I've put in bold are incredibly spot on, I couldn't have said it any better. When you know it, you know it.

How were the MC3500s different to your ears?

For sure...when you know it, you know it. That is why I made the statement regarding the 3500s. My speaker builder has heard my system a few times with the 2301s and the Classic Audio T1.5 field coil speakers in my house. He is very fond of the sound with the 2301s mated to the T1.5s as he is also with the Atmasphere Novacrons mated to the same speakers.

When my speaker dealer obtained the 3500s, he was also experimenting as well. I forgot his feedback, but I know he keeps the Novacrons powering the T 1.5s at most shows with the 3500s available to play if people want to listen. When I heard the 3500s in a few of the show settings, Capital Audio Fest, Maryland and Tampa Audio Show, each time I felt that the T1.5s did not have that 3d holographic sound that I appreciated with the 2301s when the 3500s were hooked up. Granted, the rooms are different, but also much larger than my room, and source equipment was different. Records and reel to reel were played each time I listened. I am a vinyl guy, so I preferred that format. I just did not get the sense that the 3500s can reproduce music in the same way that the 2301s make it all sound so organic. There is a market for the 3500s for sure and with more power they can power very inefficient speakers. I have learned over many years that I may like the sonic signature of a demo or not, kind of like our Neanderthal instincts...we kind of know when we like someone or not. That is sort of how I felt with the 3500s but according to 3500 owners, they do sound good in other system configurations but they may still not be to my liking, and that is just our hobby, seeking harmony.

The Novacrons at the show sounded similar to my 2301s with an organic and holographic sound field with the T1.5s.

The 2301s are game changers for what they offer and for their music portrayal. I am very familiar with their sound and don't need to look for anything else, these satisfy my listening needs. You have already gained an understanding of what the 2301 are capable of doing. It's pure bliss and a little magic. I have had mine for 10 years now, wow. Never had a problem. Only once with a tube and that was because of 1 year in storage, transport and setup. Replaced tube bank (still looking for tube tester in boxes...just moved) with 4 new and all was right.

I am sure you will get plenty of hours of musical enjoyment.