MC402 to MC601

[rushca01]

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?

[FreddieFerric]

Originally Posted by rushca01

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?

An audiophile is NEVER content with where he's at. C'mon Man!

And since I'm spending your money, it's a pair of 611's or bust.

[W9TR]

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.

[miketuason]

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.

[prepress]

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.

[Fbgbill]

I vote go for it. I cannot speak highly enough about my C2600 and MC611's

[dkorbal]

Another vote for MC601's but I'm bias.

SS amp/Tube pre is a great combination. Once again .... bias

[Bwguy]

I have 611’s and they sound wonderful!

[Stahle]

Originally Posted by miketuason

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.

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.