McIntosh MC3500 MKII
- Thread starter ACRucrazy
- Start date
MACKIE1975
Super Member
Here it comes the Roth IRA.
nj pheonix
Lunatic Member
Maybe in my next life.
I can't see committing to this.
OTOH it makes buying an MC 452 or 462 downright practical.
I can't see committing to this.
OTOH it makes buying an MC 452 or 462 downright practical.
nj pheonix
Lunatic Member
I tend to think not. Rarity and legend
That's the best looking product McIntosh has released in some time. I do think an off white meter light would have looked best. It would be nice if they had a rear toggle or internal jumper to change the meter color.
I like the blue, but then I was never a fan of the original look and would prefer an all-black front panel. Can't please everyone.
nj pheonix
Lunatic Member
I suspect if mac knew their trademark look would be blue meters , the originals would've had blue meters.
It's not as if the new one looks like the old.
Not like the Marantz model 9 reissue.
I'm sure new owners will be able to suffer through the blue meters.
It's not as if the new one looks like the old.
Not like the Marantz model 9 reissue.
I'm sure new owners will be able to suffer through the blue meters.
Pio1980
AK Member
8x EL509S outputs per.
PA amp? No, the frequency response of a PA amp is usually quite limited, the MC3500 MKII is definitely a high-end home audio amp.
By far not their most powerful amp, just their most powerful tube amp.
By far not their most powerful amp, just their most powerful tube amp.
From the description on the McIntosh website:
The MC3500 Mk II is powered by eight EL509S high-power output vacuum tubes. The EL509S tube was chosen specifically due to it having many similar qualities and characteristics of the 6LQ6 "sweep tubes" used on the original MC3500. Like the 6LQ6, the EL509S is very rugged thanks to its robust cathode and associated heating element which produces a high peak plate current capability in excess of 1 Amp.
Sweep tubes like the original 6LQ6 were primarily designed for 1950-60s era TVs where they would sweep the cathode ray gun in the picture tube across the phosphor screen. This was a very power-hungry process that required these high-powered sweep tubes. The use of sweep tubes by McIntosh engineers in the original MC3500 amplifier was a very cool and innovative application. By using the high-power EL509S vacuum tubes, the MC3500 Mk II amplifier remains as faithful as possible to original MC3500 output design. In addition, just like in the original MC3500, the MC3500 Mk II uses an additional feedback loop to enhance the linearity of the output tubes.
Like the original MC3500, the MC3500 Mk II has a fully balanced driver section that utilizes three 12AX7A and one 12AT7 vacuum tubes. The first 12AX7A is the differential input amp; the second is the buffer/driver for the voltage amp; the third is the voltage amp. The 12AT7 is the buffer/driver for the EL509S output tubes. All the vacuum tubes are located behind the power and output transformers, and are covered by a 12-gauge stainless steel wire cage with a black powder coated finish. The cage is shaped so that our patented, gold-plated Solid Cinch™ speaker binding posts are easily accessible even when the cage is installed.
twiiii
Lunatic Member
Yes a 3500 MK II is not quad balanced like a 2301 but it has more advanced output trans former with 5 windings and much superior output tubes similar to the previous tubes used in the original. You will notice it only sacrifices a few db signal to noise. Look at the damping factor which is higher than a 2301's, too. It also has a larger dynamic capability of 604 watts the ratio being higher than any previous Mac tube amp.. And I bet like its older cousin it will almost put out 500 watts before clipping. Plus this amp has power guard which a 2301 doesn't have. Plus the 2301 has the famous KT 88 sound. I had 275's with that sound and much preferred the original 3500 with its extra capable high frequency tubes. The 3500 original was the best amp Mac made for long time with much less distortion than even the First generations of SS amps. You will notice that the new MK II has lower minimum distortion percentage than your 2301's, too. With its weight there is no way its a PA amp with 10,000 watt Crowns weighing a fraction and about 1/3 the size. Most PA amps today are Class D amps with only moderate signal to noise ratio and much higher distortion.
Mac wouldn't have invested two years in the design of a PA amp. Yes the original had the noisy fan issue that was later updated to come on only when chassis temps reached a certain level similar to the MC2300 later versions. In my opinion it wasn't until the MC 2500 and 2600 came along that SS amps surpassed a pair of 3500's.
Mac wouldn't have invested two years in the design of a PA amp. Yes the original had the noisy fan issue that was later updated to come on only when chassis temps reached a certain level similar to the MC2300 later versions. In my opinion it wasn't until the MC 2500 and 2600 came along that SS amps surpassed a pair of 3500's.
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Didn't happen with the MC275 and the original still commands more (in similar condition).
It was always the most sophisticated tube amp of all time, with the most new ideas put together in one design. The five-wire OPT, unity couple + G2 winding, + cathode follower winding+ symmetrical feedback winding in primary with 40db, make it different from everything. High permiance Sweep tubes give it a unique damping factor. In the new Mc3500, the OPT is simplified with only three windings, unity couple + G2. Is the performance of the Mc3500MKII as good as the original? 1 ohm output does not have.
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