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MC501's Vs MC402

I'm also looking at these 2 amps, I find it interesting that the 602 can't be bridged, and the 402 can be paralleled, but not bridged. Has anyone here ever had to parallel a speaker load? With an autoformer amplifier with a 2 ohm connection? Yikes; what kind of welding are you into? (yes, Kappas...)

It looks like a purchasers dead end.

I can't buy a 402 now and if I decide to go mono, buy a second one; I've got to buy a new amplifier. The 252 does all three, stereo, mono bridge, and mono parallel, like most legacy Mcintosh amps used to. I like the balancing act that the upper amps do, though. If all I had for choices was a 252, I'd just use my 2600's.

I'll probably still go with Mcintosh, but that little tidbit I just posted added the comma (removing a period) and added "probably still" to this sentence.

Following closely...

Mike
 
Mike in Va said:
...It (MC-402) looks like a purchasers dead end...
Click to expand...

So are 501s, 602s, 1201s, and 2Kws. All of the quad-balanced amps can't be bridged. You get better sound, especially in the case of the 402 and 501s.

Really, though, think carefully about what you might plan to do that would require more than 400wpc. I can't imagine it. Bi-amping would work great with a 402 on top and a 602 on the bottom. I guess I don't see the point in planning to bridge.
 
Just how much more power can one need than a MC402? Assuming we are talking about any speaker rated above 85dB, in a home environment/living room.

If you have a standard 15amp wall circuit, at 120V, you can only get 1800 watts from the wall. A best case scenario amp could only turn about 1/2 of that power to usable watts, so now you're down to 900watts total. The MC-402 could pump out ~450wpc without distortion or clipping. You're running up against available outlet power at the higher rated units IMO.
 
Negotiableterms said:
So are 501s, 602s, 1201s, and 2Kws. All of the quad-balanced amps can't be bridged. You get better sound, especially in the case of the 402 and 501s.
Click to expand...

Thanks Negotiableterms, I thought about it a little after posting. It would seem that the way the amps are configured now, the channels would already be bridged. The 402 at 400w/ch actually has 4 200w amps run out of phase with each other, removing the ground.

Negotiableterms said:
Really, though, think carefully about what you might plan to do that would require more than 400wpc. I can't imagine it. Bi-amping would work great with a 402 on top and a 602 on the bottom. I guess I don't see the point in planning to bridge.
Click to expand...
I guess you saw this coming, and you're right. I've got 2 MC 2600's (only using one now) and at low levels, the amp sounds great, I can only imagine what the 402 will sound like with the newer technology. No, I'm not afraid of losing power, it's the sound.

I've had my 2600 into power guard once. I looked like Don King when it was over. The point is that bigger amps seem to provide a more solid bottom end; to your 600 bottom, 400 top bi amp setup. My model 8b sounds great, but my 2600 has better extension and control. Also, bridging an amplifier separates the channels completely, that's why it'd be attractive. Probably more useful in a biamp and mono setup, though. Ahhh, I see that the XLS 360's can be used in that configuration; There's my second 402.

SamS said:
If you have a standard 15amp wall circuit, at 120V, you can only get 1800 watts from the wall. A best case scenario amp could only turn about 1/2 of that power to usable watts, so now you're down to 900watts total. The MC-402 could pump out ~450wpc without distortion or clipping. You're running up against available outlet power at the higher rated units IMO.
Click to expand...

You're right, Mcintosh rated the 2600 at 15 amps while amplfying music or speech, but at full power guard (850/ch) the amplifier was drawing more than 22 amps. My variac was shaking off the counter and the load was about to catch fire.

Also, the reason I'm here is that I've pretty much decided on the 402, but want to see what shakes out versus the other amps.

Sorry for the long post, and I hope I haven't gone off topic too much.

Thanks!

Mike
 
The 402 is a fine amp, been loving mine for almost 3 years. The extra $3500 for 501s is a lot of coin in my book, and you could get a nice new MCD201, another component or crap load of music CDs for that difference in price. Just MHO.
 
I love my MC402. I can't imagine needing more power, but my speakers are pretty efficient. I don't have the room for the 501s anyways. In my opinion, I like the look of the Mc stereo amps better. If the 501 had a large meter display that filled up the entire front of the amp like the 1201, I might like it better. I think it kind of looks like something out of a Lovecraft novel. Again, just my opinion.
 
MC501's Vs MC402

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I have a pair of B&W 802D's. My pre amp is a MX135 my current amp is a MC207. I have decided to upgrade my Front amp .I was pretty much set on a MC402 . However the MAC salesman suggested I consider two 501's .
My questions : are the 501's that much better than a MC402? Is it worth the additional $3500? Will I notice the Difference? I know a lot of you have 802's
Help
Thanks
Jimmyc

Well gentelmen I made the decision today .I went with the 501's
You only live once

Thanks for vall of your inputs

Jimmyc
 
Welcome to the MC501 brotherhood...consider yourself hooked for life :wave:
 
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Hey
Jem
Does the brotherhood have a secret hand shake or do we just go huh when we meet because we lost our hearing?
Thanks for your inputs
Jimmyc
 
I just finished installing my pair of 501 amps and sold my 402.

I used to be in total Mcintosh heaven, now I can't even begin to describe how delightful it is...


The 402 is stunning, but the 501 is beyond words...
 
mike175gr said:
I just finished installing my pair of 501 amps and sold my 402.

I used to be in total Mcintosh heaven, now I can't even begin to describe how delightful it is...


The 402 is stunning, but the 501 is beyond words...
Click to expand...

Hi Mike,

Thats exactly how I feel when I walked the same path .... :thmbsp:

However, a word of caution .... DONT, repeat, DONT ever go listen to the MC1201 or its newer incarnation MC1.2k (this I dont know for sure but should be in the same mold) if you dont want another case of McIntitis ....

Meanwhile, I will say this - CONGRATs! & ENJOY !!! :music:

Cheers !!! :banana:
 
I used to be in total Mcintosh heaven, now I can't even begin to describe how delightful it is...


The 402 is stunning, but the 501 is beyond words...
Click to expand...
Congrats on the 501s and welcome to the McIntosh monoblock club.:thmbsp:
 
I had the same choice to make and after critical listening I found out that MC501 will always edge MC402. If the load is difficult, 501's will be winners hands down.

I ended up with a pair of MC501s :-)
 
Kevin M. said:
Monoblocks are the best way. I have one MC402 and three MC252s. I'm switching to three MC501 and keeping two of the MC252s. That's going to be 5 amps across my front. My only consideration is that I have so many amps. I'm running a 7.2 system. Three McIntosh LS360s across front, WS350 at sides, two CS350 at rear. I wish that I had purchased the MC501s from the start.
Click to expand...

That's quite a setup in the photo. I've saved it and lightened it up some. Can you describe the arrangement more, such as how it's wired? What kind of floor is under the carpet? wood or concrete? Any plan for low racks or stands?

-Gregory
 
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