McIntosh MC601's

Mike said:
Oh how we forget.... A blast from the past....

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Only Jesus bingo bowling ball alley!
 
Hello Mike and congratulations on your amps. I was wondering how they compared to your Pass Labs and Momentum amps?


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I agree with you all about the 601s, this is why I got myself a pair. Mike is right the longer I use it, the better it sounds. This is also why I consider these amps a keeper.

i think we should start an MC601 club. :)
 
If there was one, what would you indicate as 601s' greatest source of distinctiveness?


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matowi said:
If there was one, what would you indicate as 601s' greatest source of distinctiveness?


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They sound more like tube amps than most modern tube amps! It was quite funny to watch the reactions of the listeners who were blindfolded. When I put on the 601's, the comments started coming, "ha, those are definitely the VAC amps." "Just listen to the richness of the strings and the tonality from those tubes."

Conversely, when we put on the VAC amps in the blindfold test, the fellow who owned the amps shouted out "oh man, those have to be one of the solid state amps. It sounds like nails on a chalkboard to my ears." It was all I could do not to laugh. When he found out it was his amps, he slumped down in his seat, put his hands over his face and just kept saying "no, no, no!"

I would say for me, it was how smooth on top and how full the 601 amps sounded. I really like the sonic signature of the new Mc amps - 452, 601's. Fatigue free listening at it's best.

That being said, if you are a detail freak and you want to hear that gnat fart on the shoulder of the second chair violinist, look elsewhere.
 
Mike,

Thank you for such a vivid response. And for a good deal of endorsement for both the 452 and 601. In time if budget permits, one of these (or a newer incarnation) may replace the MA8000 I've been enjoying for the past week.

Specifically that I am much more of a music lover than a die-hard detail freak, I feel encouraged to start feeding my piggy bank :)

Happy listening!
m.


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Mike said:
...That being said, if you are a detail freak and you want to hear that gnat fart on the shoulder of the second chair violinist, look elsewhere.
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Elsewhere IMO, is the McIntosh MC2301! Loaded with Gold Lion KT88, Telefunken ECC801S or similar 12ATs, silver core XLRs and clean power, the resolution is there. It helps to have a nicely balanced pre-amp behind them too like the C1000 or C500.
 
Kind of fun to see a year and a half old thread come back to life. It is still relevant.

I went through a period of time searching for the right amplifiers to drive my Sonus faber Amati Anniversario speakers. I started with a single MC275 MkV, then purchased a second one and operated them in parallel mono configuration. The amplifiers are quite good but have a bit of a loose bottom in the lowest octave when pushed to deliver power. I replaced the pair of MC275's with a pair of MC601's. Night and day difference in the presentation. The lowest octave firmed up and became richly textured and the dynamics improved with the additional power on tap. Then I purchased the MC452 power amp. Doing A/B testing against the MC601's I discovered there was very little difference in the performance or voicing. They are first cousins. Then I sold a pair of MC601's and purchased a pair of MC2301 tube power amps. I had four MC601's at one point and still have two in the living room system. The MC2301's absolutely mesmerized me with the Anniversario's. The lowest octaves remained soild and robust, the midrange liquidity left me slack jawed in amazement and the upper octaves were pure bliss with lots of air around all instruments and voices. Additionally, the MC2301's were dead silent with a wonderful velvet black background. These are the amplifiers still in service driving my Anniversario speakers. Truly astonishing performers.

Since I had the opportunity to make direct comparisons using my C1000C/P preamp with the MC275's, MC452, MC601, and MC2301 power amps, plus an MC352 I had at the same time, I have a relatively clear perspective on how all of these very fine power amplifiers perform. It is no mistake that the amplifiers I still own and use are the MC2301's, MC601's, and the MC452. In my opinion these three amps are the cream of the current McIntosh lineup. I consider these three amplifier designs to be the best McIntosh has ever produced. There is no way to go wrong with any of them.
 
What do you guys think of the opinion in the link below? From the Emotiva forum.

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I'm hoping the dealer would let me audition the mac in my home.


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stanly.joseph said:
What do you guys think of the opinion in the link below? From the Emotiva forum.
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stanly.joseph.......I feel confident saying that long term reliability, not to mention resale value, with McIntosh products is superior to Emotive products. There is a reason Emotive components are inexpensive when compared to McIntosh and it isn't because they are built to higher standards with better quality parts. Search forums like AVS and others for Emotive and you will quickly discover they have a fairly high incidence of repair issues and Emotive's customer service experiences seem less than satisfactory for owners with issues. Emotive seems to claim their advantage is high power at low prices. Just remember, high quality rarely comes cheap.
 
stanly.joseph said:
What do you guys think of the opinion in the link below? From the Emotiva forum.

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Not a whole heck of a lot. I have owned Emotiva products for my Home Theater. They're fine, but most certainly not in the same league as big blue McIntosh. Sonically the Emotiva will sound harsh compared to the buttery smooth McIntosh.
 
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