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  #341  
Old 06-21-2023, 12:26 PM
Charles Charles is offline
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In my conversation regarding the new ML1 the subject of the new MC3500 came up. I told my friend I thought it was as good as any amp currently being made at any price and that I wouldn't swap mine for any amp that I know of. No, it won't play as loud as my 1.25KW's, but it is a better amp. I have tried two times to go back to my 1.25's. I really want to like my 1.25's. I try to like them really hard but I can't get the 3500's out of my system. I go for a few days and find myself reconnecting my 3500's. When I bought them I simply wanted a pair of Mac tube amps as beautiful trophies to look at and play for friends. I'm a solid state aficionado. I have never liked tubes. I never planned on the scenario I find myself in. I don't know if I'll ever use my 1.25's providing my 3500's stay healthy, and I have plenty of replacement tubes.

Well, apparently the verdict has come in inside Mac circles according to my Mac friend: the new Mac MC3500 is not only the best amp Mac is currently making, Mac considers it to be their best amp ever. This is coming from distributors, dealers, owners, and McIntosh itself.

When I first heard it my jaw dropped and I have consistently been amazed ever since. So, I'm not alone in my assessment of the MC3500.

Best

Charles
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Charles Updated System: Wilson McIntosh Audioquest
New gear on order: MC2.1KW Anniversary power amplifier; C12000 An preamplifier; MCD12000 An SACD/CD player; AQ 1 meter Dragon balanced IC; 2 meter AQ Hurricane HC power cord; 3 meter AQ Hurricane Source power cord; unspecified 3 meter AQ digital coaxial IC and power cord for my backup MVP851 DVD player given as a surprise gift to me by my dealer
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; MC3500MKII mono block amps (2) and two custom granite slabs; Wilson ActivXO Stereo Electronic Crossover; new 75-ohm multi-directional FM antenna for tuner; total of eight additional Wilson Audio Heavy (red) pedestals placed under the MC3500MKII mono blocks; JRiver Media Center 31
Amps: McIntosh MC3500MKII mono blocks (2), McIntosh MC1.25KW’s (3). All amps set on floor on custom made granite slabs
Preamp and DAC: McIntosh D1100
Sources: McIntosh MCT500 SACD/CD Transport, MVP881 BR player, MVP851 DVD player, MR87 tuner, Marantz 510LV Laser Disc player, ASUS laptop USB (JRiver Media Center 31)
Speakers: Wilson Audio Specialties XVX Chronosonic; custom made Wilson Acoustic Diodes
Sub-woofer: Wilson Audio Specialties Thor’s Hammer (1) horizontal lie; custom plinth of X material with Wilson Acoustic Diode feet; Wilson ActivXO Stereo Electronic Crossover
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 ActivXO crossover to amp; Wind balanced IC from preamp to ActivXO; 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; MVP881 BR player; MCT500 transport; Wilson Audio ActivXO electronic subwoofer crossover; plinth for Thor subwoofer made of X material with the Wilson Acoustic Diodes; eight Wilson Audio Heavy (red) Pedestals placed under the MC3500MKII mono blocks (four placed under the rails of each amp)
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.

Last edited by Charles; 06-27-2023 at 10:21 AM.
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  #342  
Old 06-21-2023, 10:40 PM
Botill Botill is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Charles View Post
Well, apparently the verdict has come in inside Mac circles according to my Mac friend: the new Mac MC3500 is not only the best amp Mac is currently making, Mac considers it to be their best amp ever. This is coming from distributors, dealers, owners, and McIntosh itself.

When I first heard it my jaw dropped and I have consistently been amazed ever since. So, I'm not alone in my assessment of the MC3500.

Best

Charles
After initial issues were resolved by Mac, I have thoroughly enjoyed the sound from my 3500’s as well. It’s nice to hear others have had the same experience. They are beautiful amps in my opinion and are very powerful.
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  #343  
Old 06-25-2023, 12:35 AM
LewL LewL is offline
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Join Date: Dec 2021
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Botill View Post
After initial issues were resolved by Mac, I have thoroughly enjoyed the sound from my 3500’s as well. It’s nice to hear others have had the same experience. They are beautiful amps in my opinion and are very powerful.
I love mine as well.
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