WOW! MC501s ARE something special indeed...
- Thread starter aim9
- Start date
That takes my System from Dramatic to Deadly.
Yes, it's hard to believe. Hard to separate the excitement of a new purchase that sometimes inspires very good reviews from a bonafide upgrade that produces significant improvements. The MC501s are a bonafide upgrade over the MC402 as nice as the MC402 is. Amazing. I still say the MC402 is a great amp, just stay away from the MC501s and you'll never be unhappyI was 'skeptical' but hopeful. I had read all the 'MC501 vs MC402' threads. I stayed restrained, set my expectations relatively low, hoping for only minor improvements...
WOW!!!
I am simply speechless. The MC501s simply blow the MC402 away with these speakers. In ALL areas. There's bass where there was none before. It's more powerful and clear. The highs--I had some brightness before, and that's simply GONE, but with no loss of detail. Top to bottom everything is simply sublime.
Sorry for making another 'MC501 vs MC402' thread, but to anyone even thinking of going for the MC402 instead of the MC501...sorry, but you're nutsNo questions asked, the MC501 is worth every single penny of the cost over the MC402. Who cares about $xxxx more music, when with the MC501s all your existing music is soooooo much better sounding
THANK YOU McIntosh for making such an amazing amplifier! :yes:
. If you own the MC402 and ever hear the MC501s in the same system, you are likely going to move heaven and earth to get them.william.keith
Super Member
I am very pleased with my MC402 after hearing it and the MC501 with my XLS340 speakers. I don't perceive a need to change. Now the MC1201 with XRT1K speakers, that is a different story.
Looks like the tweeter failed, replacement parts are on order. B&W said it was unlikely that the crossover failed. I am running a dedicated line (20A, but both amps are plugged into the same outlet, no power conditioning). When the damage was done, it was not that loud. As mentioned before, the switch was set to unbalanced using balanced cables - the red powerguard light was flickering on and off, so I shut it down - but it was too late. After I turned the switch to balanced, I was able to play it at the same volume with no red lights on (albeit with a crackle coming from the tweeter? at certain frequencies). I do notice that the meter is almost always peaking around the 1000W mark (at least). I have attended many concerts in my time, and this level does not seem loud. I pushed my 801D's harder with my Musical Fidelity kW500 without a problem. How worried do I need to be about blowing something up again? Should I have went for the 501's instead? I am constantly watching the meters instead of listening to the music...waiting for the left one to go.
As the plot thickens...
ron-c
Addicted Member
If you use an amp without Power Guard of course it will 'play louder' as you can easily drive it to high levels of distortion. Music that is distorted is always louder. Distorted music is the original music with distorted 'fuzz' layered over the signal. This is very dense and also sounds like Cr*p.
What most do not realize is the bass and midrange music is multiplied in frequency and dumped in the tweeter when you distort an amp. This harmonically multiplied, distorted signal is often ultrasonic so you can not even hear it although your tweeter is in distress. Every time an amp is overloaded and clips the signal a burst of distortion is sent to the tweeter.
The McIntosh Power Guard circuit will prevent overload distortion but will not protect your speakers from to much power. If you want to listen at very loud volumes you may have to change your speakers. If you find yourself exceeding the power rating of the speakers or the speakers are making sounds of distress, clicking, popping, etc. sounds coming from the speaker you will need to turn it down.
Let us know how it works out when you get your new tweeter installed. Make sure the two speakers sound the same after the repair. Todays modern tweeters use neo magnets that are easily demagnetized when over driven. Once the tweeter is heated to 100 C the magnet will loose at least 5% of its' power. repeated heat cycles will result in a weak field and low tweeter output.
Thanks,
Ron-C
What most do not realize is the bass and midrange music is multiplied in frequency and dumped in the tweeter when you distort an amp. This harmonically multiplied, distorted signal is often ultrasonic so you can not even hear it although your tweeter is in distress. Every time an amp is overloaded and clips the signal a burst of distortion is sent to the tweeter.
The McIntosh Power Guard circuit will prevent overload distortion but will not protect your speakers from to much power. If you want to listen at very loud volumes you may have to change your speakers. If you find yourself exceeding the power rating of the speakers or the speakers are making sounds of distress, clicking, popping, etc. sounds coming from the speaker you will need to turn it down.
Let us know how it works out when you get your new tweeter installed. Make sure the two speakers sound the same after the repair. Todays modern tweeters use neo magnets that are easily demagnetized when over driven. Once the tweeter is heated to 100 C the magnet will loose at least 5% of its' power. repeated heat cycles will result in a weak field and low tweeter output.
Thanks,
Ron-C
That happens.Are you just still pleased and dont' hear the difference or just happy even though you can hear the MC501s are better? I can't fathom how anyone could not hear the difference. The MC402 is a great amp, but the MC501s are better amps. I still can't convince a friend that the cost of Moet is worth it over Asti Spumante. Says they taste the same. Go figure.
carlthewave
Member
Congrats on the 501s. It's been about a month and a half since I upgraded. Truly incredible amps!