MC501 or MC402

[soundfan]

Has anyone heard MC 402 and MC501 with C2200? Specifically what more do you hear with 501 monoblocks? C2200/MC402 received good review from Absolute Sound, but generally monoblocks such as 501s are supposed to be better.

My source is Classe CDP-10, VPI Scoutmaster with Grado reference and speakers are Aerial model 8

 

[masterlu]

Welcome aboard!

The 501 is more detailed & of course more powerful. Much has already been written, try the search feature.

 

[Victor]

Welcome Soundfan

Here is a repost of my thoughts on this question from about two years ago:

For the last few months I have been doing home demos on the current McIntosh amps. I am looking to replace my MC162 and I am using C2200 preamp and Avalon Eclipse speakers. I usually listen at lower levels (75-85db). On the amps that I have listened to the meters almost never go over 5 watts. I listen to all types of music from intimate female vocals to hard rock and here is what I found:

The amps I compared at first were MC275, MC2102, MC252 and MC402. I found they were all very close in comparison but I did like the MC252 better than the MC402 to be fair the MC252 was brand new and the MC402 was about 2-3 years old. I thought the MC252 had a little more detail and focus the MC402 sounded a little dull in comparison. I was ready to buy the MC252 it was my favorite of these amps.

Then even though the MC501s are out of my price range right now I decided to take them home and give them a listen and my first impression was WOW! The MC501s were at a different level than the other McIntosh amps. The biggest difference was how the MC501s image they seemed to make my speakers and walls disappear and gave pin point accuracy to the soundstage. After listening for several hours my second impression was WOW! They just continued to create beautiful music with an incredible amount of detail and no listener fatigue.

The McIntosh amps all sounded very close but something about the MC501s in my system just sounded magical.

I will for now keep my MC162 and save up for the MC501s.

Back to today, I did end up buying the MC501s and it was one of the best audio decisions I have made. :yes:

Hope this helps,
Victor

 

[JSCC]

Has anyone heard MC 402 and MC501 with C2200? Specifically what more do you hear with 501 monoblocks? C2200/MC402 received good review from Absolute Sound, but generally monoblocks such as 501s are supposed to be better.

My source is Classe CDP-10, VPI Scoutmaster with Grado reference and speakers are Aerial model 8

Well, I had the rare opportunity to own these combo before moving on .....

1. First the C2200+MC402 (replacing the C22-II & MC275x2 combo). Very sweet and powerful ... much better in control over the MC275 MKIII monos when powering the WP7's.

2. Made the switch over to the MC501's when I wanted to have any all digital system in plan. The MC501's were much smoother, more controlled than the MC402 and imaging/soundstage were excellent. Sort of a "REFINE MUSCLE GENTLEMAN", again powering my then WP7.

I could have lived happily ever after if not ..... well I will not dwell into my vanity search .. to where I am today.

The C2200+MC402 is a very nice combo and if you have not made any comparison or heard about the MC501's, you would have been very happy with them for a long, long time. But like all McIntosh equipments, once you have heard a level above, its very hard not to keep yourself from wanting more ......., so if you did hear the MC501's perform, no choice, MC501's will have to be the chosen one ..... :yes:

Anyway, thats from my personal experience. Whichever choice you go for, its still a McIntosh combo and they will give you musical enjoyment all the way.

Cheers!
Cheers!

 

[soundfan]

Thanks ...... looks like I need to save for 501s!

 

[mike175gr]

Yup! I get mine on Wednesday, I can't wait!

 

[eljr]

and a pair of the 501's just plain looks better also!!!!!!!:thmbsp:

 

[DR. JAM]

Soundfan,

I too am exploring the 501s vs purchasing another 402. I would like to bi-amp with 402 but from consensus from this forum that 501s just has that something extra. I now have the same decision you have. To purchase or not to purchase which one. I think I will probably favor the 501s. Good luck in your search and decision. You cant go wrong with either.

 

[JSCC]

Soundfan,

I too am exploring the 501s vs purchasing another 402. I would like to bi-amp with 402 but from consensus from this forum that 501s just has that something extra. I now have the same decision you have. To purchase or not to purchase which one. I think I will probably favor the 501s. Good luck in your search and decision. You cant go wrong with either.

Hi Dr. Jam,

On the "economical" side of things, getting another piece of MC402 is not a bad thing. This is something I had pondered after having upgrading from the MC501's, albeit a little controversial in perspective:

1. This would save a "trade in" loss (from MC402 to MC501s, no matter how small a sum it may be).

2. 2 sets of Mc402's when mono'ed would yield some 800 watts per channel. Now, thats a cool 300 watts upper from a pair of MC501's. Now, thats 3/4 way from a pair of MC1201's and its no mean feat! It will blow any pair of speakers in the market to musicality!

3. So far, no one had ever made a direct comparison between mono's MC402's vs MC501's, so for sure, its not like the MC501's would win hands down at this stage.

4. Should the day comes when you decide to go vertical bi-amping instead of mono amping, you have 2 great stereo McIntosh amplifiers to do the job.

Controversial thinking, maybe ... well, its all up to you. Happy hunting and make the decision that makes most sense ... ($$$$ and musical performance) ... and of course, its still a McIntosh ...

Cheers!

 

[exracer]

Hi Dr. Jam,

On the "economical" side of things, getting another piece of MC402 is not a bad thing. This is something I had pondered after having upgrading from the MC501's, albeit a little controversial in perspective:

1. This would save a "trade in" loss (from MC402 to MC501s, no matter how small a sum it may be).

2. 2 sets of Mc402's when mono'ed would yield some 800 watts per channel. Now, thats a cool 300 watts upper from a pair of MC501's. Now, thats 3/4 way from a pair of MC1201's and its no mean feat! It will blow any pair of speakers in the market to musicality!

3. So far, no one had ever made a direct comparison between mono's MC402's vs MC501's, so for sure, its not like the MC501's would win hands down at this stage.

4. Should the day comes when you decide to go vertical bi-amping instead of mono amping, you have 2 great stereo McIntosh amplifiers to do the job.

Controversial thinking, maybe ... well, its all up to you. Happy hunting and make the decision that makes most sense ... ($$$$ and musical performance) ... and of course, its still a McIntosh ...

Cheers!

I was thinking the same thing Jerry, even two bridged 252's against the 501's might be a fairer comparison than one 402 against them. Has anyone tried this?

 

[DR. JAM]

Hi Dr. Jam,

On the "economical" side of things, getting another piece of MC402 is not a bad thing. This is something I had pondered after having upgrading from the MC501's, albeit a little controversial in perspective:

1. This would save a "trade in" loss (from MC402 to MC501s, no matter how small a sum it may be).

2. 2 sets of Mc402's when mono'ed would yield some 800 watts per channel. Now, thats a cool 300 watts upper from a pair of MC501's. Now, thats 3/4 way from a pair of MC1201's and its no mean feat! It will blow any pair of speakers in the market to musicality!

3. So far, no one had ever made a direct comparison between mono's MC402's vs MC501's, so for sure, its not like the MC501's would win hands down at this stage.

4. Should the day comes when you decide to go vertical bi-amping instead of mono amping, you have 2 great stereo McIntosh amplifiers to do the job.

Controversial thinking, maybe ... well, its all up to you. Happy hunting and make the decision that makes most sense ... ($$$$ and musical performance) ... and of course, its still a McIntosh ...

Cheers!

My thoughts exactly!!
Which option do you think would produce the best sonic improvements.
1. Mono 402 vs 501
2. Vertical bi-amp 402 vs 501
Has any body done this comparison. Someone from audioclassics told me that vertical bi-amp of the 402 may increase fidelity more than 501s! Can I use c2200 main balanced out for one amp then the other balanced out for the other amp in order to avoid splitters?
Thanks

 

[JSCC]

My thoughts exactly!!
Which option do you think would produce the best sonic improvements.
1. Mono 402 vs 501
2. Vertical bi-amp 402 vs 501
Has any body done this comparison. Someone from audioclassics told me that vertical bi-amp of the 402 may increase fidelity more than 501s! Can I use c2200 main balanced out for one amp then the other balanced out for the other amp in order to avoid splitters?
Thanks

Hi Dr. Jam,

The C2200 had more than one pair of XLR output to drive two MC402's in vertical bi-amp mode. Should you choose to have them mono'ed, if I am not wrong, there is a switch that allows this configuration. No splitter is required.

Looking back, I should have gone for another piece of MC402 instead of the MC501's .... The MC501's are great .. its just that this "out of the box" thinking did not struck me back then plus I was also smitten by the musicality of the MC501's. Oh well, history .....

But since this is one move that can be considered, why not share my experience of doing things differently ... where perhaps, you might reap better rewards. For sure, the first benefit of having "no trade up loss" ...

Wish you happy hunting ... Cheers !