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MC 452 Thoughts?

Tim 700

Tim 700

Active Member
A little back story, sorry for the length.
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McIntosh gear has always been out of reach, however I'm determined to save some serious $$ for a solid state amp.

I've mulled McIntosh for years, new, used, tube, solid state? You read the reviews of vintage gear and the equipment is described wonderfully, but then I read up on the modern technology and I'm blown away by the upgrades to the current line up of McIntosh amps.

I like the combo I'm using in my system of tube pre-amp (EAR 864) & solid state Crown PS-400 (two, running mono). It's sounds warm yet detailed, quick response with decent imaging. I will keep the EAR 864 in the system with a McIntosh tube pairing in the future perhaps.

I alternate between Infinity Crescendo 3007 (Craig's List $65.00) and Infinity Renaissance 90 ($50 from a friend who garbage picked them).

Any way, I know it's a newer amplifier, but I'm determined to buy a new MC 452, does anyone have one? What do you think? All thoughts are appreciated.
 
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With the 462 in the lineup the used prices on 452’s make it a very attractive amplifier to purchase right now.
 
I love my MC452 Big Improvement over the MC 2500 I used to have. it's a very nice amp. Occasionally I still wonder about 601's . BUT the 452 makes it much less urgent. It is one of those peices that could be a Keeper for you, a "why didn't I do this sooner" kinda thing.
 
Well, the MC452 is the sweet spot in the McIntosh amplifier line up, both for performance and price.

My search ended when I got my MC452, I have not once had a hankering for another amplifier.
It does everything so well. Its the most incredibly resolving amplifier, if velvet had a sound, then this is what the 452 does, but at the same time with unparalleled detail.
It is the easiest amplifier to listen to, you can turn it up and up and up to unimaginable levels and yet, its got such an easy-to-listen-to presentation, and yet at low level listening it retains all that too.

You will never regret owning a 452.....go for it, sooner rather than later!!

In summary, the nest amplifier I have ever heard!!
 
kevzep said:
Well, the MC452 is the sweet spot in the McIntosh amplifier line up, both for performance and price.

My search ended when I got my MC452, I have not once had a hankering for another amplifier.
It does everything so well. Its the most incredibly resolving amplifier, if velvet had a sound, then this is what the 452 does, but at the same time with unparalleled detail.
It is the easiest amplifier to listen to, you can turn it up and up and up to unimaginable levels and yet, its got such an easy-to-listen-to presentation, and yet at low level listening it retains all that too.

You will never regret owning a 452.....go for it, sooner rather than later!!

In summary, the nest amplifier I have ever heard!!
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Watch out for this guy . . . he's an enabler! LOL! Bunch of enablers in this thread . . .
 
Haaa, love the comments so far. Every penny I can save and I'm selling a lot of stuff on Craig's List to get to the magic number.
 
Tim 700 said:
What is a "B1"?
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I bought a B1 condition MC352 of AC back in 2012, and to be honest, it might as well have been new, A1!!

B1 is exceptional, and I would not hesitate. If there is a B1 condition MC452, make your move, it will be the best audio purchase you have ever made, so far until the next McIntosh thing you buy...
 
B1 is the condition grade audio classics give to their equipment.
Many would say B1 grade looks like it's fresh right out of the box. That to find any flaws, you might need a magnifying glass, and/or Jeweler's Loupe to find them. In other words, pristine condition, but of course used.

A1 condition might be a showroom piece as new, used a week, then boxed.

I'll say this, and so will others, that yes, you'll pay a bit of a higher premium dealing with audio classics versus trying to save a few dollars on the big auction site, but you'll be treated right before the sale, during the sale and after the sale.

The Amp will most likely be properly packed in all of its original factory packing , double boxes, the whole smear just like it came from the factory brand new, and likely be strapped to a wooden shipping pallet, and shipped with the right carriers.

Ryan's the guy you want to contact!
 
AFAIK, the 452 is still a current production Amp, was commonly listed at $8500 big ones. The 462 lists at $9K last I heard.
From what I gather, the 452 is probably the best Stereo Solid State Amp in all repsects that McIntosh has ever made in its entire history.

Note that those meters go to 900 watts. I doubt you'd note any Db audible differences driving the most difficult hard to drive speakers, (Magnapans-Electrostats, B&W's etc) versus a pair of 601's, the 602, the MC2500, MC2600, MC 1000's MC 1.2K's, etc Amps.
 
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