AudioAficionado.org  

Go Back   AudioAficionado.org > Manufacturers Forums > McIntosh Audio

McIntosh Audio A Tradition of Excellence

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #21  
Old 08-14-2022, 10:44 AM
audioquest4life audioquest4life is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Virginia
Posts: 140
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by JBT View Post
The 901s are a combination of the Mcintosh 611 and Mcintosh MC2301. I forget his name but the founder of the The Absolute Sound said the 2301 are the best amps he's ever heard. I heard the 901s briefly hooked up to Focal Utopia 111 eco speakers and it sounded amazing. The store was jam packed so I only stayed around 15 minutes. the Mc3500s are the classic Woodstock amps
I think was Anthony Cordesman that did the review, but I am not sure. There was supposed to be a follow up that but never happened. I have a German audio magazine that said the same thing at the time that they tested it. They were amazed at the consistency across the power band despite varying ohm loads. it was Audio.de magazine from sometime in 2011.
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 08-15-2022, 08:19 PM
JBT JBT is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Lago Vista Texas Downtown Austin and Frisco Colorado
Posts: 2,017
Default

It was Harry Pearson!
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 08-20-2022, 08:19 PM
Stephens770 Stephens770 is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 3
Default

Thanks all for the welcome. Just wanted to reiterate that after owning 2301's and 901's, the 901's sound better in the same room with the same speakers. The 901's w/ stock tubes sounded better than the 2301's with GL tubes. I have GL's for the 901's but haven't found the need to install them yet. I understand that conventional wisdom is that the 901's are 2301's and 611's on the same chassis, but I can tell you from personal experience there is a difference. Not trying to upset, only offer first hand experience.
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 08-20-2022, 10:01 PM
John Jordan John Jordan is offline
Senior Member

 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 658
Default

Stephens-

Actual ownership and /or listening experience overshadows "conventional wisdom" all day (and night ) long.

Nice Post!

John
__________________
AKA J2Ordan
McIntosh/Legacy/VPI/Bricasti/Bryston/DIYCable
Reply With Quote
  #25  
Old 08-21-2022, 11:36 PM
LewL LewL is offline
Guest
 
Join Date: Dec 2021
Posts: 46
Default

Has anyone had first hand experience comparing a pair of MC2301 to a pair of MC3500 Mk2. I have a pair of 3500 that should be hooked up this week. But I never heard the 2301s.
Reply With Quote
  #26  
Old 08-22-2022, 01:44 PM
Charles Charles is online now
Senior Member

 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 3,230
Default

The 300 watt tube amp in the 901 is not quad balanced. The solid state amp is. In addition, in the 901 as well as the 2301 the dynamic headroom (1.2 dB) is very limited. The damping factor (>18), distortion (.5%), S/N ratio (112 dB) are also much inferior to a 3500. However, according to my Mac friend, the main difference is power. He said Mac got roped into the marketing ploy of calling it a "3500", meaning 350 continuous watts, when actually it will do a minimum continuous of 500 watts. Comparing a 3500 to a 901 or 2301 is not a fair comparison.

It doesn't surprise me that the 901 tube section sounds better than a 2301. I think that the tube section is simpler and employs significantly less solid state components than a 2301. There is a 15 year separation in the two designs and Mac has not stood still during this time. I think, just my opinion, that you get more vintage Mac tube sound with a 901, 3500, or 1502.

Remember, with Mac published specifications are a minimum, unlike all other tube amps, virtually none of which will make all their specs, if they even come with any. We are supposed to trust the manufacturer. So, compare the specs of these amps, 2301, 3500, 901, and 1502. It's illuminating to do so.

Best

Charles
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Audioaficionado.org tested by Norton Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:57 AM.



Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.10
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
©Copyright 2009-2023 AudioAficionado.org.Privately owned, All Rights Reserved.
Audio Aficionado Sponsors
AudioAficionado Subscriber
AudioAficionado Subscriber
Inspire By Dennis Had
Inspire By Dennis Had
Harmonic Resolution Systems
Harmonic Resolution Systems
Wyred4Sound
Wyred4Sound
Dragonfire Acoustics
Dragonfire Acoustics
GIK Acoustics
GIK Acoustics
Esoteric
Esoteric
AC Infinity
AC Infinity
JL Audio
JL Audio
Add Powr
Add Powr
Accuphase - Soulution
Accuphase - Soulution
Audio by E
Audio by E
Canton
Canton
Bryston
Bryston
WireWorld Cables
WireWorld Cables
Stillpoints
Stillpoints
Bricasti Design
Bricasti Design
Furutech
Furutech
Shunyata Research
Shunyata Research
Legend Audio & Video
Legend Audio & Video