Sound differences between MC302 vs MC452 ? ....

joeinid

joeinid

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I was just curious if anyone has compared these two amps. Would the MC302 have what's considered the more classic McIntosh sound?
 
That's a good question Joe. I haven't heard the 302 yet, but since it still has autoformers (just not quad balanced) I would suspect that they are similar since they are in the same generation of amps. There used to be a noticeable difference in sound when McIntosh made the non-autoformer solid state amps vs. the autoformer based amps in the 1980s-1990s.
 
I know Ron-C stated that McIntosh's most advanced features/advances start with the MC452. I was just curious what that translated to in sound character. Thanks Jeff.
 
joeinid said:
I know Ron-C stated that McIntosh's most advanced features/advances start with the MC452. I was just curious what that translated to in sound character. Thanks Jeff.
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It sounds more forward, faster too. IMO break in is minimum 500-600 hours. First 200 could be quite brutal and bright.
 
Anybody have the MC302? Please tell me how you like it.

XL_MC302_Front-Top.jpg
 
JJinID said:
There used to be a noticeable difference in sound when McIntosh made the non-autoformer solid state amps vs. the autoformer based amps in the 1980s-1990s.
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I have the MA6600 with autoformers and the MA6500 with direct-couple and they sound the same to me.
 
Mike said:
It sounds more forward, faster too. IMO break in is minimum 500-600 hours. First 200 could be quite brutal and bright.
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This could be the reason why my MC601 sound kind of bright, I only have 220 hours on it. Will it really change when I reach 500 hours?
 
M2wason said:
This could be the reason why my MC601 sound kind of bright, I only have 220 hours on it. Will it really change when I reach 500 hours?
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Yes. Uh...I mean no....you should sell them to me for cheap! :)

All kidding aside, keep going. Bright is not how it would classify the 601's. Dynamic, fast with a higher degree of resolution and clarity than previous Mc amps? A resounding YES!
 
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