MC1.25KW - no ordinary amps, thank you McIntosh!
- Thread starter joeinid
- Start date
Of courseNow I feel like I'm in good company
kevzep
Its all about the Music
and then when you have too much, you start to thinking, maybe if I had a little more........
Bill Ferris
Lunatic Member
Really !! Crown told me the same thing in 1997, but it wasn`t so..
The voltage taps were there waiting for me to follow the manual reprograming for the right tap changes, though I had to convince Crown via a recorded Telco. call backed up with assurance from the dealer`s that I was not exporting the mains converted amps, and the same with Mac, but. knew what I was doing.
The cost of stocking voltage specific mains transformers are way more expensive than tapping the winds while winding rather than stocking multiple country specific transformers.. They talk the talk to protect their export divisions !!
Pop the bottom covers and get back to me on what you see !!
I would love to see pictures of a two wire power amp transformer primary in a Mac. !!
kevzep
Its all about the Music
Considering McIntosh wind their own transformers, it wouldn't be that difficult to make them that way.
I have done voltage conversions on many McIntosh products, but when I looked in the C48 when I got it, there were 2 primary wires....
Maybe they crop them right back to the windings?
joeinid
Well-Known Member
Question regarding break in ....
I don't know exactly what's inside amps and preamps (you know what I mean), but ...
Don't caps and other components need time to mature and settle in? I've had Conrad Johnson, ARC, etc that absolutely took 600 hours or more to settle into a final voice. I can remember during some listening sessions when that special moment where the magic of break in actually happened. Real or imagined, I sensed a change for the better.
I'm am not equating those brands behavior with McIntosh.
But, I'm approaching 120+ hours on my amps and I swear there were some improvements during the night. I was up late (again!!) listening. I can point to a moment where the amps sound just took on that little extra something. You all can call me crazy but I know all amps cold, fresh out of the box sound a little tight and constricted. Especially you tube guys, don't you think the amps sound better 30-45 minutes after turn on as they thermally stabilize?
All this leads to me saying WOW! The new MC1.25KWs are a home run. I can't wait to swap some speakers around.
I don't know exactly what's inside amps and preamps (you know what I mean), but ...
Don't caps and other components need time to mature and settle in? I've had Conrad Johnson, ARC, etc that absolutely took 600 hours or more to settle into a final voice. I can remember during some listening sessions when that special moment where the magic of break in actually happened. Real or imagined, I sensed a change for the better.
I'm am not equating those brands behavior with McIntosh.
But, I'm approaching 120+ hours on my amps and I swear there were some improvements during the night. I was up late (again!!) listening. I can point to a moment where the amps sound just took on that little extra something. You all can call me crazy but I know all amps cold, fresh out of the box sound a little tight and constricted. Especially you tube guys, don't you think the amps sound better 30-45 minutes after turn on as they thermally stabilize?
All this leads to me saying WOW! The new MC1.25KWs are a home run. I can't wait to swap some speakers around.
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I would say time and heat will have an effect on a amps sound and getting it to settle in. Yes some of it will be acclimating ones own ears to the sound as well.
Bill Ferris
Lunatic Member
Yes, I know they wind their own transformers.
Could be, didn`t open my C220 that I bought about 4~5 years ago to examine.
But still stockpiling specific primary voltage transformers verses tapping the same has to be more expensive, one would think ?
When I ordered/bought the (4) MC1201`s @ over $30,000 !!, and was told that I couldn`t have 2 of them converted to 240 volts by the factory, or allowed to perform myself.
I would have told my dealer thank you, but no sale!!
And I would have looked elsewhere.
Thanks for your input and interest kevzep.
Kind regards, OKB
jimimac
UTOPIAN UNIVERSE?
Actually p
damacman
Resident Psycho
And the truth comes out. Go figure.
joeinid
Well-Known Member
I swapped in the Revel Studio2. Great speakers made better by a powerful amp with ease and control, big in the room soundstage, quiet, 3D and air, depth and clarity. Outstanding late night and low level listening.
The MC1.25KWs seem to be voiced in a new direction. Not “typical” McIntosh sound, but a more modern, cleaner and more resolving presentation.
The MC1.25KWs seem to be voiced in a new direction. Not “typical” McIntosh sound, but a more modern, cleaner and more resolving presentation.
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damacman
Resident Psycho
So, is the MC303 a doorstop now or will it be powering Center and Surround channels for multi-ch playback? Inquiring minds want to know.
joeinid
Well-Known Member
I don't have any plans for a multi-ch system, but that could be fun.
There's no doubt that the 1.25s are more impressive all around, but it will be extremely difficult to let the MC303 go. I absolutely love it.
It does not make too much sense to keep it so I expect to eventually list it for sale.
I thought I read somewhere that Mac only winds audio transformers themselves. Power transformers are made on the outside.
kevzep
Its all about the Music
Oh, actually that may well be correct......might not be economical for them? Considering the amount of different power transformers they would have to wind, could be too much for their modest size operation.
quartersaw
Super Member
I can picture the gentleman in the old Maxell tape ad illustration, with his hair blowing back while sitting in an arm chair.
....Except, this is for REAL!
Congrats!
joeinid
Well-Known Member
wsill
New Member
Joe,
Keep the listening impressions coming; fantastic; helping allot.
I am seriously considering the 1.25kw to use with my Wilson X-1.
Originally was to go with 1.2kw, but now sounds like more bass control with the 1.25's and added detail.
The original brightness has subsided now, after some breakin ?
Thanks,
Bill
Keep the listening impressions coming; fantastic; helping allot.
I am seriously considering the 1.25kw to use with my Wilson X-1.
Originally was to go with 1.2kw, but now sounds like more bass control with the 1.25's and added detail.
The original brightness has subsided now, after some breakin ?
Thanks,
Bill
joeinid
Well-Known Member
Hi Bill,
Firstly, please try and get a demo if possible.
I was trying to find out what kind of tweeter you have. The speakers are no doubt impressive. I am personally not a fan of Wilson's inverted dome tweeter but do love the soft dome tweeter.
I believe the new amps are voiced for more clarity. If you have some control of the speakers, you should be in a perfect place. Bass, sound stage size and presentation are all tremendous. It was a little hard going back to my MC303 after having the 1.25s in my system for a week or so, but we adapt.
I am curious how a C1100 will perform vs my Luxman C900u. I may need to find out in a month or so. I still need a little more time on the amps to be sure.
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