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MC452...TALK ME OUT OF IT (YOU HAD 1 JOB AND YOU FAILED!!)

Mid-Fi

Mid-Fi

AK Subscriber
Subscriber
So, I don't need a MC452. I want one. I don't want to spend $6500 on a MC452. I want one. I have a C48 which is apparently my gateway drug and the cause of this nagging want. I have a super cool looking, rebuilt Threshold S300 in black. That junk doesn't have big blue meters. I want big blue meters.

So, why I want you to talk me out of it is, for instance, yesterday, as I was browsing MC452 threads, enjoying a single barrel beverage, I was also listening to Aenima on vinyl through my Kappa 8.1s and the aforementioned system, and it sounded sublime at concert level. In fact, I had to limit the volume control as the tweeter protections kick in probably 3 to 5db before the amp starts to exhibit stress @ ~ 300w into 4ohms. So I don't really need more power, right? I mean 450w is only going to gain a couple db which I can't use, right? And, as I can clearly pick out Maynard's vocals front, back, left, right and Danny's tip impacts and Justin's bass lines have visceral impact, I don't need a MC452, right?

I sure as hell don't want to carry a MC452 up the stairs and set it on top of my console!

I don't want to sell the Threshold.

I want a 452.

Intervention is needed.
 
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Not going to happen.

I have read the opinion here, and tend to agree, that the MC452 is and will be for a long time the modern classic, will be what the MC2205 is to those of us who remember.

It's not that heavy, it has handles!

Look at it this way: Is there anything, anything that the MC452 doesn't do well? Have you read of any 452 owners (or reviewers) who say that it has a design flaw? Nah, just buy it.
 
VintageMac said:
You are asking a bunch of McIntosh enablers for intervention?
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I was certain you all would have my best interest at heart. Goddamn the pusher man.
SaturationPt said:
Not going to happen.

I have read the opinion here, and tend to agree, that the MC452 is and will be for a long time the modern classic, will be what the MC2205 is to those of us who remember.

It's not that heavy, it has handles!

Look at it this way: Is there anything, anything that the MC452 doesn't do well? Have you read of any 452 owners (or reviewers) who say that it has a design flaw? Nah, just buy it.
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I came here for unbiased opinions. ;)

Another in the con column is there will be nothing worth upgrading to in the future, right?
 
Wrong.

Although the 452 -> 462 isn’t much of a change, there are always mono amps, ... the 1.2KW is probably the next logical step then either the 2KW or 2.1KW amps!

McIntosh will always have something that requires another purchase!
 
Mid-Fi said:
So, I don't need a MC452. I want one. I don't want to spend $6500 on a MC452. I want one. I have a C48 which is apparently my gateway drug and the cause of this nagging want. I have a super cool looking, rebuilt Threshold S300 in black. That junk doesn't have big blue meters. I want big blue meters.

So, why I want you to talk me out of it is, for instance, yesterday, as I was browsing MC452 threads, enjoying a single barrel beverage, I was also listening to Aenima on vinyl through my Kappa 8.1s and the aforementioned system, and it sounded sublime at concert level. In fact, I had to limit the volume control as the tweeter protections kick in probably 3 to 5db before the amp starts to exhibit stress @ ~ 300w into 4ohms. So I don't really need more power, right? I mean 450w is only going to gain a couple db which I can't use, right? And, as I can clearly pick out Maynard's vocals front, back, left, right and Danny's tip impacts and Justin's bass lines have visceral impact, I don't need a MC452, right?

I sure as hell don't want to carry a MC452 up the stairs and set it on top of my console!

I don't want to sell the Threshold.

I want a 452.

Intervention is needed.
Click to expand...
You won't find it here. The Mc452 is very 'fluid' in its presentation. I've had mine, for several years, and it still has that Ooooh! factor, even after all this time. It's a keeper!
 
I'm in the minority here in that I only buy as much power I need and equipment I can lift myself. Things might be different if I were a multimillionaire but I'm not. No disrespect to any Mc product or anyone who chooses one of these mammoth amps but it's highly unlikely I'll ever own a behemoth like that in my lifetime.

The gear I have gives me 95% the enjoyment of another rig costing 10-20x as much. Another mint older Cadillac would cost less and give me far more enjoyment than that extra 5% will ever do. But, if absolutely head over heels with a piece of gear, no amount of rationalization will exorcise the demons as giving in. So I get that too.
 
Life is short, if you want it and can afford it, DO IT!!! In a couple months you will not care about the money spent when you are enjoying the new toy.
 
Lots of pros and cons.

Pros, you have a C48, the 452 is a logical match. As for weight, get help, such would be nuts carrying such solo up a flight of stairs or any distance, especially boxed, the boxes are huge.

The 452 is a large, longish Amp, and heavy, study the dimensions and also underside foot positioning in the owner's manual, then go to work with a tape measure. Don't skimp on a suitable rack-stand for such.

On my own system, I even went to the length of having custom vinyl covers made for everything (Digital Deck Covers). Helps keep off dust, UV, spills, inquisitive eyes and hands-etc.

Cons, in the event of a needed repair, what are your options? Shipping will be both expensive and can be risky. An Amp like such pretty much needs to be strapped to a Pallet to ship, and of course be fully insured.

The 452 is not a rare Amp, and such pops up regularly on the used market, I myself would prefer an in person purchase, travel if you have to, don't let shippers have their way with such an Amp.

You may be able to find a low hour mint condition unit at a price you feel happy with.
 

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Mid-Fi said:
I was certain you all would have my best interest at heart. Goddamn the pusher man.

I came here for unbiased opinions. ;)

Another in the con column is there will be nothing worth upgrading to in the future, right?
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Not necessarily. Depends what your source components are, if any further sonic improvements can be had?

The old garbage in-garbage out saying holds truths.

How golden are your ears? And of course your budget and space? Some here may remember Master Lu (Ivan) who was once a member here, and has his own forum, Audio Aficionado. He has/had a wall of Mac that was easily over $1M.

The MC-452 is a beautiful Amp, I almost bought one, but hit a snag at the time with a bonehead sales person at an Albuquerque Dealer, and went a different route, Bryston for my Power Amps.

I in fact bought my Bryston Amps from Ivan, he is a dealer for Bryston, and coutless other brands also.
 
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Mid-Fi said:
So, I don't need a MC452. I want one. I don't want to spend $6500 on a MC452. I want one. I have a C48 which is apparently my gateway drug and the cause of this nagging want. I have a super cool looking, rebuilt Threshold S300 in black. That junk doesn't have big blue meters. I want big blue meters.

So, why I want you to talk me out of it is, for instance, yesterday, as I was browsing MC452 threads, enjoying a single barrel beverage, I was also listening to Aenima on vinyl through my Kappa 8.1s and the aforementioned system, and it sounded sublime at concert level. In fact, I had to limit the volume control as the tweeter protections kick in probably 3 to 5db before the amp starts to exhibit stress @ ~ 300w into 4ohms. So I don't really need more power, right? I mean 450w is only going to gain a couple db which I can't use, right? And, as I can clearly pick out Maynard's vocals front, back, left, right and Danny's tip impacts and Justin's bass lines have visceral impact, I don't need a MC452, right?

I sure as hell don't want to carry a MC452 up the stairs and set it on top of my console!

I don't want to sell the Threshold.

I want a 452.

Intervention is needed.
Click to expand...
I’ll try. Get a pair of these more conservative, lower-powered amps, instead (Mission Accomplished):

1746744795770.jpeg1746744795770.jpeg
 
Seems many of us all have our audio demons to contend with. And ultimately comes down to letting some funds slip through your fingers. If money is a foremost consideration, well, consider freeing up some funds in some manner! Cracking open that Piggy Bank. I once had a nice Piggy Bank a long time ago, it was a Giant Glass Coke Bottle filled to the top with Ben Franklin Half Dollars. LOL

Me, I have wanted to graduate and buy a better CD Transport from the one I'm using. I'm trusting that all 0's and 1's don't necessarily sound the same. LOL

I'm using a bought used mint Denafrips Terminator II DAC, It seems OK, but might benefit with a better Transport, which what I'm currently using is an ancient CAL Delta (modded). Hence I'm thinking of the TEAC 701T in Silver.

As I say, garbage in-garbage out. The logical path which sometimes is not easy, or cheap, is to weed out all non-hackers, and weak links in a system.

www.musicdirect.com

TEAC - VRDS-701T CD Transport

The world's largest online retailer of high-end audio, audiophile music, and accessories. We specialize in vinyl records and turntables.
www.musicdirect.com www.musicdirect.com
 
It's been opined many times (here and elsewhere) that the '452 may be one of the best sounding amps McIntosh has ever produced, especially when run with a balanced preamp. Unless you're running like 99dB speakers or something, you basically can't go wrong. :biggrin:

Dooo eeet.
 
DC said:
It's been opined many times (here and elsewhere) that the '452 may be one of the best sounding amps McIntosh has ever produced, especially when run with a balanced preamp. Unless you're running like 99dB speakers or something, you basically can't go wrong. :biggrin:

Dooo eeet.
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Sure, a C-48, you can go balanced, go single ended, is there a bad way? The preamp holds a good deal of sonic influence on a system

The 452 will at least provide adequate power for most speakers to get by with.

One button convenience, triggers the whole system to life as you lay back in comfort.
 
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