McIntosh MC901 or MC3500 MkIi?

[LewL]

I have seen prices for demo models of the MC901 for less than the MC3500 MK II, but never seen them compared. Has anyone heard both? Is the MC3500 MkII a better perfuming sounding amp? Are either of them worth the premium over the MC611? Upstream would be a C2700 or possibly a C12000. Speakers as yet undetermined.

[Fbgbill]

I have had my 611's for a couple of years and cannot complain. If I were to "upgrade" it would be to the MC3500 MK II. FWIW the wife will NOT approve the upgrade....!

[FreddieFerric]

I would love to hear both side by side. Not going to happen though. Hopefully a member here with experience in each amp can offer their opinion of them.

If I was ever fortunate enough to be faced with making a purchasing decision between the two it would only be made after visiting a dealer who had both available for audition.

[JBT]

MC901 Review


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1FXInoGF6E

[LewL]

Other than the brief review by Audio Excellence of the MC3500 MkII and the AE and Steve Gutenberg reviews of the MC901, I really haven’t seen any reviews on either of these amps. Though Audio Excellence in their reviews of each day that each is the best amp McIntosh has ever made. And they give high praise of the MC611.

[Charles]

I believe the 901 is made for speakers that can be bi-amped. I believe it has an electronic crossover, much different than a 3500. I don't understand how you could compare the two because some speakers inherently sound better bi-amped. For speakers like Wilsons that cannot be bi-amped, a 901 would not be appropriate, IMO.

I have made some cost effective purchases in the past. I was in a fun sort of way for saying (on the Wilson forum) that my XVX was a cost effective purchase (332K). But it truly was.

First I will never buy another speaker. If you think I will, you are mistaken. So speaker buying is over, forever. Next you can't put a price on the joy this speaker brings. It's immeasurable. It will be many years before there will be a change to the platform.

Second, I never thought I would encounter a piece of gear I would rate similar to an XVX. Until I heard and experienced my MC3500's. I have never experienced a gear like the 3500 (XVX excluded). It's indescribable. If you gave me 200K and said, alright Charles, give me your 3500's and you must go out and buy any amp tube or otherwise, with it, I would decline. I'm serious. That's how much I like my 3500's. It takes a speaker like an XVX to take its measure. I'm serious.

Best

Charles

[LewL]

Thanks Charles. That’s pretty strong on the satisfaction meter!

[FreddieFerric]

Charles brings up a good point. Any speaker that is not bi-wire/bi-amp capable is not an MC901 compatible speaker.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by LewL

Thanks Charles. That’s pretty strong on the satisfaction meter!

LewL, let's do a comparision of the gear available at any price on the market.

First let me say that the 901, if you desire to bi-amp, is the the amp on the market to use. It is incredibly powerful at 1,200 w/ch minimum and will probably do significantly more. Pick out a SF Aida (135K), pair it with a pair of 901's, a C12000/MCD12000 combo and you have a system for the ages. And you don't need four or six amps.

Also if I had the money and space, I would look at a Magico M9 (750K), which requires four channels and would be ideal for a 901. Also many lesser speakers that are built for bi-amping, not as an after thought, will blossom with a 901. As I have pointed out although you may consider it expensive, in absolute terms it most certainly is not.

At 36K it is less expensive than the new CJ ART108M which is rated at 160 w/ch and lists for 48K, a total minimalist design, no protection circuits, no meters to monitor maximum watts, and takes 15 minutes to stabilize.

The ARC160M is 35K and rated at 140 w/ch with no protection circuits and meters that I would not rely on, do not have a peak hold feature, and hard to see from a distance. It also requires a noisy fan which I find incredible this day and time.

Less powerful amps require protection circuits more than more powerful amps. The days of minimalism are over, according to RH, editor of TAS. The great thing about tube watts is that, unlike SS watts, they sound great until clipping occurs but you never want any amp to clip, tube or SS. Mac is the only manufacturer that provides true protection from clipping, both tube and SS.

There is no substitute for power unless you have speakers > 94dB sensitivity. Mac makes some of the most powerful tube amps on the market, period, irrespective of price. The Siegfried is rated at 650 watts/ch but idles at 600 watts and is 75K/pr. Has more tubes than I can count. No protection circuits or meters. Ditto for the ARC750 which idles at an incredible 800 watts. Totally impractical. Wouldn't consider either of them if you gave them to me.

The VAC Statement is 450 w/ch 120-150K/pr. No protection circuits or meters. Now these Statement amps are I am sure wonderful sonically, but I would rather have the 3500.

These are the only three tube amps I know of with the Siegfried and ARC being marginally more powerful but would heat my house in the winter. Totally impractical in terms of weight and heat and cost.

Now you can say what you want, but I believe that sonically based on my experience with my XVX, the 3500 will easily match them.

I think some ultra expensive SS amps like the Relentless will compete with a 3500 sonically but again far too large, heavy, and expensive for me. Given the choice no question it would be my 3500, which again based on personal experience with my XVX, I believe will match it sonically. With an XVX the 3500 must be heard to be believed. It's that good.

I apologize for the overly long post.

Best

Charles

p.s. the 3500 runs cool, even at live performance levels I can firmly place my hand on the cage without discomfort. At idle it is slightly warm. It is not "house heater". I do not notice the AC running more. It takes less than 30 seconds to stabilize and ready for music. It's meter tells you when it's ready.

[JBT]

What's so unique about the new McIntosh Mc901 & should you bi-amp your speakers?



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXbuITw0nFo