#1
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MC402 to MC601
I’m thinking about going from my current MC402 to monoblock MC601. My preamp is a C2300 which I plan to keep. Speakers are focal 1038’s. Does it make sense or should I be content where I’m at?
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#2
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And since I'm spending your money, it's a pair of 611's or bust.
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McIntosh MA8000; McIntosh MC1502; Canton Vento Reference 1 DC; E.A.T. E-Flat; Soundsmith Paua Mk II; Technics SL 1210 MK5; Audio Technica AT-150 MLX; Tascam BR-20; Teac X1000R; Pioneer RT-707; Oppo UDP 205; Denon DCD A-100; HP All-In-One Touchscreen Server; JRiver MC 28; Woo Audio WA6; Shure SRH 1840; SVS SB 1000; Jolida 502BRC; Jolida JD9; VPI 16.5 RCM; Wireworld Oasis 8 Speaker Cables; Audoquest Columbia 72 DBS IC's; Panamax PM-5400 (source components only) |
#3
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A few years I owned the 402's big brother the MC 602 and a pair of 601's at the same time. I don't recall there being any significant difference between them in sound quality. The specs are almost identical and to me they both sounded excellent.
I kept the MC 602 and sold the MC 601's, more because I felt the MC 602 was an iconic product that won't be repeated - McIntosh's highest power stereo amplifier. Ever. I think the pros of a change are cosmetic - the 601's will match your C 2300 better. The meters are big enough to ride! Either way it's a high class problem to have. Happy hunting.
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Main System: Amati Futura Mains Amati Homage VOX Center, Proac Response 1sc Rears, Three MC2301's for L,C,R MC 602 for the rears C 1100, MX 151, MCD 1100, MR 80 Nottingham Dais with Wave Mechanic Sumiko Palo Santos Presentation SurfacePro 3, RPi 4, ROON, WW Starlight Platinum USB, Schiit Yggdrasil, Benchmark DAC3 HGC MX 151, OppO BDP-95, JVC RS-500 DILA projector, 106" diagonal Stewart Luxus Screenwall Deluxe with Studiotek 130 G3 material. Lake House: Ohm F, MC 275V, C2300, MR 77, Rega P3 OnDeck: McIntosh MAC 4300v Last edited by W9TR; 01-10-2022 at 06:56 PM. |
#4
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I currently own a pair of MC601 and a C2300 and love is so much. The Quad balance of the MC601s is great that the 402 doesn’t have not to mention the power guard is also a plus on the 601.
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#5
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One advantage of monoblocks is supposed to be better channel separation, which would result in better sound overall. Whether the difference is audible might depend on the amps involved. And with monos each channel has its own dedicated power supply, again a potential advantage; but maybe a dual-mono stereo amp would mitigate that last one some, I don't know how that would work. There's also the potential for more power with monoblocks, if you need that; i've never heard of a 1kw stereo amp! And depending on your setup, you can use shorter speaker cable runs (I used 4-foot cables with my MC501s, which kept the speaker cable out of the way).
That's as far as my understanding goes.
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SOTA, Grado, SME, Van den Hul, Gingko turntable setup; Pioneer Elite LD, BDP; Sony OLED TV; Magnum Dynalab tuner, antenna; MIT S-video cable; Pangea HDMI cables; DVDO video processor; McIntosh SACD, preamp, power amps; Telefunken Black Diamond preamp tubes; Kimber IC; Transparent IC, PC, SC; Mirage speakers; PS Audio, Shunyata PC; Audio Additives RCA caps; Furman power conditioning; Sanus: racks |
#6
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I vote go for it. I cannot speak highly enough about my C2600 and MC611's
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My System: Amp-McIntosh MC611(2) :Pre-McIntosh C2700, MP1100 :CD/SACD-McIntosh MCD600 :Speakers-McIntosh XR100 :Power Controller-McIntosh MPC1500 :Turntable-VPI HW40 Ortofon Cadenza Black :Cables-Morrow PH5,MA5 and Elite Speaker Cables :Headphones-McIntosh MPH1000 :Record Cleaner Klaudio KD-CLN-LP200T Thanks, Bill |
#7
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Another vote for MC601's but I'm bias.
SS amp/Tube pre is a great combination. Once again .... bias
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Doug 2-Channel McIntosh C2700, (2X)MC601, MEN220 Lampizator Baltic 3 Sonore opticalRendu, SGC sonicTransporter i5 (Gen 3), Roon Thorens TT TD318 B&W 803D3 JL Audio (2x)f110v2 Shunyata Denali/S v2, Alpha v2 PCs, WW Gold/Silver Eclipse Interconnects, Platinum USB Whole House Music Listening Bluesound Vault2i, PowerNode2, PulseMini2i, Pulse2, (3x)Flex 5.2 System Above using Passthru Marantz SR7012 Oppo 205, Apple TV (4th gen), Sony XBR850e65 B&W HTM2 D3 Second 5.1 System Castoffs from Upgrades LRC Paradigm Millenia 20, Velodyne MiniVee 10, KEF surrounds, DefTech AW6500 |
#8
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I have 611’s and they sound wonderful!
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#9
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MC402 to MC601
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FYI, the MC402 is quad balanced and it also has power guard. The MC402 literature calls it “double balanced circuitry” which was later renamed “quad balanced”. I say if you’re going to make the change, get the latest tech by moving to either a pair of MC611s or a single MC462. Both models have way more dynamic headroom than the previous models.
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McIntosh MC462, C22 IV, and MR7084; Simaudio Moon 300D V2 DAC; Technics SL1200G, Mac Mini Server; Sonus Faber Grand Piano Home; and Wireworld Cables. Last edited by Stahle; 01-11-2022 at 06:08 PM. |
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