McIntosh MC402: purchased and on its way!

Golucid

Golucid

Taking a break
Joined
Jan 10, 2015
Messages
1,058
I was in need of some shopping therapy today. I just now purchased a MINT FLAWLESS McIntosh MC402 to pair up with my C2500 that will live in my master bedroom.


It ships out tomorrow, thank you Audio Classics!


mcintosh_mc402_.jpg
 
MDP said:
I used to own one of them David, you'll be very happy!
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Thanks, Mark. I am indeed looking forward to the AMP and finding its way into my master bedroom. Though, a bit overwhelming for the space, I do believe it will receive a warm welcome - nonetheless.

This was not a haphazard decision. I thought long and hard about the purchase. I decided to pair the Solid State Amp with my Tube PreAmp simply because I have found that [thanks to my friend Dan and his tireless knowledge and experience] since my MC2301s collaborate so very well with the Solid State portion of my C1000, it made sense to me that I replicate the same idea with the MC402 and the C2500.

My next adventure, pair up the right bookshelf speakers. Though, and looks alone - not a compelling arguement, the McIntosh XR50s have a certain appeal. Though, I must further confess. I have listen to these speakers many times and have been pleased. That said, I was not as remarkably moved with the XR100s. But, I do leave myself open in that my audiophile experience is juvenile at best - I am open to suggestions :)
 
David, how many mac's before you get one of the Clocks, Binghamton owe you .... :)
 

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I had this amp. It's a BEAST. The thing I remember most about the amp was the day it was sold. The guy was local and he was a professional body builder - you know, in magazines and the like. He came into the house, paid me in cash, picked up the amp, put it under his arm and walked out like he was carrying the local paper!
 
Mike said:
I had this amp. It's a BEAST. The thing I remember most about the amp was the day it was sold. The guy was local and he was a professional body builder - you know, in magazines and the like. He came into the house, paid me in cash, picked up the amp, put it under his arm and walked out like he was carrying the local paper!
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I can do that! I am a gym rat. I bench 245!
 
Golucid said:
I was in need of some shopping therapy today. I just now purchased a MINT FLAWLESS McIntosh MC402 to pair up with my C2500 that will live in my master bedroom.


It ships out tomorrow, thank you Audio Classics!


mcintosh_mc402_.jpg
Click to expand...

Are you sure it has enough power to serenade you to sleep? :D
 
David.......The C2500 tube preamplifier with the solid state MC402 power amp will deliver an authentic and rich performance. I use a C2300 tube preamp to drive a pair of MC601's with outstanding results. For speakers, grab that pair of PMC IB2i speakers Jeff Whitlock of A/V Solutions is selling here. These speakers are tremendous and will mate perfectly with the MC402.

http://audioshark.org/speakers-157/pmc-ib2i-7594.html
 
Double-D said:
David.......The C2500 tube preamplifier with the solid state MC402 power amp will deliver an authentic and rich performance. I use a C2300 tube preamp to drive a pair of MC601's with outstanding results. For speakers, grab that pair of PMC IB2i speakers Jeff Whitlock of A/V Solutions is selling here. These speakers are tremendous and will mate perfectly with the MC402.

http://audioshark.org/speakers-157/pmc-ib2i-7594.html
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Dan, I have been looking at the PMCs as well as the Sonus Faber Stradivari's. The PMCs as far as I have read from customers have been nothing short of outstanding. In fat, I believe Brent also has a pair and simply loves them. I am tempted...and may take the multi hour drive to listen to them. They are interesting to say the least. Large...a bit large for a bedroom...but heck. They are purdeeeeee
 
Golucid said:
Dan, I have been looking at the PMCs as well as the Sonus Faber Stradivari's. The PMCs as far as I have read from customers have been nothing short of outstanding. In fat, I believe Brent also has a pair and simply loves them. I am tempted...and may take the multi hour drive to listen to them. They are interesting to say the least. Large...a bit large for a bedroom...but heck. They are purdeeeeee
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David.......The PMC IB2i speakers would rock with the MC2301. Maybe move the Vienna Acoustics to the bedroom and find a new room for the ML's. Don't let the smaller cabinets fool you. The transmission line loading of the woofer will deliver deep convincing solid bass and the PMC manufactured dome midrange and Seas dome tweeter are both legendary. The PMC IB2i's are heavy hitters. If I did not already own my PMC EB1i speakers, I would snatch these up in the blink of an eye, not to mention Jeff's price is an absolute steal even without the included Sound Anchor stands.

https://pmc-speakers.com/products/archive/archive/ib2i
 
Double-D said:
David.......The C2500 tube preamplifier with the solid state MC402 power amp will deliver an authentic and rich performance. I use a C2300 tube preamp to drive a pair of MC601's with outstanding results. For speakers, grab that pair of PMC IB2i speakers Jeff Whitlock of A/V Solutions is selling here. These speakers are tremendous and will mate perfectly with the MC402.

http://audioshark.org/speakers-157/pmc-ib2i-7594.html
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I agree Dan, the PMC IB2i's are SWEET!
 
MDP said:
I agree Dan, the PMC IB2i's are SWEET!
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I agree and if Dan says that they are...then it is so! If not sold by then, I plan to contact the retailer after I finish school. Yep, I'm still in school...this is my last week of it and then I am on break for the entire summer!
 
Just ordered the C2500 yesterday. Will be picking it up tomorrow. Any tips for a new owner?
 
stanly.joseph said:
Just ordered the C2500 yesterday. Will be picking it up tomorrow. Any tips for a new owner?
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Stanly.......Yep, play the heck out of it. The C2500 is a fine tube preamp. After you have had some time with it you might try rolling some different tubes in it. Some Gold Lion 12AX7's may improve the sound over the stock tubes.
 
Double-D said:
Stanly.......Yep, play the heck out of it. The C2500 is a fine tube preamp. After you have had some time with it you might try rolling some different tubes in it. Some Gold Lion 12AX7's may improve the sound over the stock tubes.
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Ahhhhh I love the sound of that.....hey i read in the Mcintosh manual that only an authorized dealer can change those tubes....is that right? Are they tough on that policy? Don't want to jeopardize the warranty


Roma
 
stanly.joseph said:
Ahhhhh I love the sound of that.....hey i read in the Mcintosh manual that only an authorized dealer can change those tubes....is that right? Are they tough on that policy? Don't want to jeopardize the warranty


Roma
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I have never heard of McIntosh making an issue of tube rolling. I have never had an issue from rolling tubes that would cause a component to need service so I've never been concerned about it. It is not difficult to remove the factory tubes and install new ones in the C2500 or any other McIntosh tube preamplifier. The good thing for you is McIntosh now uses decent quality Russian manufactured tubes in the C2500 and all of their other new tube preamps. There was a period of time where they sourced their small tubes from China and they were marginal at best in my opinion. My C2300 had the Made in China 12AX7 tubes. They were noisy and had a mediocre sound. I replaced them with Gold Lion gold pin 12AX7's made in Russia and have been very pleased with the improved noise floor and a much improve sound. Most of the comments I have read about the C2500 say it sounds very good with the factory tubes.
 
That's good to know. Any tube rolling I engage in would be at least a good 6 months from now. Wanna really break this baby in and extract every sweet drop out of it


Roma
 
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