New Announcements from McIntosh!

[VintageMac]

On the website today:

MHP1000 Headphones - Here

MC301 Monoblock Amplifier - Here

MC152 2-Channel Amplifier - Here


Larry

 

[ConradH]

That 152 is kinda nice! Plenty of power for most people.

 

[kevzep]

The knobs on them look absolutely awful ..........

 

[playdrv4me]

The buttons in place of the classic knobs are atrocious.

But...

MC301 will be a game changer if the rumored price points are true...

 

[leftside]

Love the MC152. I quite like the buttons and the minimalist look. Would like to compare the sound to my MC7270. The MC152 certainly has enough power for me (and most people I'd imagine). My MC7270 needles have touched 27 watts a couple of times, but that was really, really loud. About 104dB according to this article:
http://stereos.about.com/od/introductiontostereos/fl/How-Much-Power-Do-My-Speakers-Need.htm

 

[damacman]

Has anyone called their dealer to get pricing? I may like a pair of those sexy 'phones. The buttons look different no doubt but I'm not offended by 'em.

Ron - since I'm sure you likely have all three at your disposal maybe you can share some info as to sound, etc.?

 

[playdrv4me]

Whereas I love the big honking size of the 601s on the one hand. I can imagine few things classier than a pair of the MC301s on a long sideboard with a D100 and a pair of Mc or other slimline speakers. Even better with an MT5 or MT10 and a phono equipped pre.

For most people, the vast majority, the 301s make the 601s kind of unnecessary...

This will be interesting.

 

[C_Nash]

Pretty bummed they don't have the iconic knobs...

 

[mhardy6647]

The new amps look great from my perspective; purposeful and no-nonsense.

 

[Don Bocadill]

HERITAGE
PROVENANCE
TRADITION

Are we forgetting something here....Designers trying to stamp their signature on an iconic brands image...what's mcinosh without backlit glass and billet aluminum knobs....

 

[JWJW]

Prices….

From my dealer…

MC301 = $5,000 List
MC152 = $4,500 List

YIKES!!!!! :thumbsdn:

Perspective on used prices to compare:
A mint pair of MC601 can be had for $9,000ish
A mint MC452 for $5,500ish
A mint MC302 for $3,600ish

 

[exhippy]

Dang! my 27 month old 302 has lost about 1,400. Like driving a new car off the show room floor.

 

[playdrv4me]

Why the thumbs down for the MC301 at 5k? That's less than half the list price of the 601s list ! WAY less, yet it's for exactly half the wattage.

Seems like a great deal to me.

 

[damacman]

Those prices aren't all that unreasonable. These new products put McIntosh in a better position to capture new customers that simply cant afford the existing amps.

There are plenty of folks out there that won't consider used gear. If we consider the MC152 the "new and improved" MC2155 and factor inflation I'm sure the price points make more sense.

 

[leftside]

Those prices aren't all that unreasonable. These new products put McIntosh in a better position to capture new customers that simply cant afford the existing amps.

There are plenty of folks out there that won't consider used gear. If we consider the MC152 the "new and improved" MC2155 and factor inflation I'm sure the price points make more sense.

Funny, I have a MC2155 and was thinking in 4-5 years time a MC152 could be a nice replacement for it.

From an aesthetic point of view the the MC152 would pair very nicely with a D100, but for me in my downstairs room I think I'd keep my MC7270 as it's a similar size to my C2300.

 

[JWJW]

Why the thumbs down for the MC301 at 5k? That's less than half the list price of the 601s list ! WAY less, yet it's for exactly half the wattage.

Seems like a great deal to me.

$10,000 (MC301 pair) vs. $14,000 (MC601 pair)?
Used mint pair of MC601's $9,000ish

…or is it $5,000 for the PAIR?!?!?!?!?!?!?

 

[JWJW]

It is $10k list for pair
So....1/2 the amp of 601, but not 1/2 the price.
I'm a little bummed to be honest. I was hoping they would be "intro" priced.

 

[mhardy6647]

I don't think McIntosh's business model is aimed at the price-conscious (at least, not at the low-price-conscious).

 

[JWJW]

I don't think McIntosh's business model is aimed at the price-conscious (at least, not at the low-price-conscious).

Truth!
.... But I do think these should be "priced logically" based on the 601's and for what you get. At least to me, seems excessive. 1/2 power, 1/2 chassis, no knobs, no handles, smaller meter. Etc. JMHO..

 

[shodulik]

Jumping on board with the anti-push button crowd. Geez if they absolutely had to make a change for one reason or another I get it but good lord is that the best the designers could do? They look dreadful.