McIntosh MC601's

Mike

Mike

Audioshark
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Sarasota, FL
Ok, ok, I'm very late to the party down on 601 street, but I have to say, these McIntosh 601 amps are sounding better and better every day. In all three BLIND amp shootouts I conducted the past two weeks, the 601's won and it's not a surprise to me. Admitting my buddy Paul (Blue McIntosh) was right, well, that's the hard part! :). It's no wonder he mucks with his system, but the 601's are non-negotiable.

IMO, the quad balanced design of the 601's and 452 put these Mc amps in a league of their own - especially against previous SS amps from McIntosh.

If you are looking for what might be the smoothest sounding SS amps on the market (certainly that I have heard), I would strongly encourage you to give these two fine amps an audition.

No, they aren't perfect, but they are full, rich, oh so smooth and represent a screaming good value - even with the recent price increase.

Oh, and they aren't that bad to look at either. :)

e9umu4yq.jpg


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Mike,

I whole heartedly agree with you. Once I heard Bruce's MC452, I knew I had to have either the 452 or 601's. I really think I would have saved myself a ton of grief if I had bought these from the outset. They are wonderful. The MC601's totally bring my TADs to a whole new level. It's just amazing. I am a happy camper.
 
Paul (BlueMcintosh) - how would you compare the 601's to the 275's? Pro's? Con's?


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I found it interesting that in his interview with MonoStereo Roger Sanders said balanced amplifiers are inferior to unbalanced designs.
 
Hiker said:
I found it interesting that in his interview with MonoStereo Roger Sanders said balanced amplifiers are inferior to unbalanced designs.
Click to expand...

This was the same Roger Sanders that said MP3's are indistinguishable to high res files (or something to that affect)?

Anyway, I wouldn't say one design is superior or inferior, I just find in this particular example, these 601's and the stereo 452 sound different (better) than previous SS Mc amps I've owned.


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Mike said:
Ok, ok, I'm very late to the party down on 601 street, but I have to say, these McIntosh 601 amps are sounding better and better every day. In all three BLIND amp shootouts I conducted the past two weeks, the 601's won and it's not a surprise to me. Admitting my buddy Paul (Blue McIntosh) was right, well, that's the hard part! :). It's no wonder he mucks with his system, but the 601's are non-negotiable.

IMO, the quad balanced design of the 601's and 452 put these Mc amps in a league of their own - especially against previous SS amps from McIntosh.

If you are looking for what might be the smoothest sounding SS amps on the market (certainly that I have heard), I would strongly encourage you to give these two fine amps an audition.

No, they aren't perfect, but they are full, rich, oh so smooth and represent a screaming good value - even with the recent price increase.

Oh, and they aren't that bad to look at either. :)

e9umu4yq.jpg


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Click to expand...

Mike, Now you understand why I kept the MC601's all this time when I switched the speakers like I'm a Casanova ~!
 
Hiker said:
I found it interesting that in his interview with MonoStereo Roger Sanders said balanced amplifiers are inferior to unbalanced designs.
Click to expand...

Many designers feel this way. I know that SE does not do well with my Dag preamp that is balanced only. But I also know that just as many SE designs sound just as good as many balanced designs. To me - it all depends!
 
Mike said:
Paul (BlueMcintosh) - how would you compare the 601's to the 275's? Pro's? Con's?
Click to expand...

The MC 601’s - To my ears it’s the best amplifier the McIntosh ever made. They sound very much like a tube amps with exercising a firm control with nearly unlimited power in the bass region, and a full sense of tuneful liveliness in the mid range as well as the highs. The amplifier projected live size stereo-graphic images which edges which are not blurry or smudged.

Just like you said they are not the best amplifier I'm sure there are better amp but this is the amp it can do well all round that I can live with them forever and I will.

The MC275's - sound Very warm, richly detailed and inviting, and no trace of harshness or stridency. it does not deliver state-of-the-art resolution and detail, especially in the bottom end and high frequencies VS MC 601’s . They still do offer an expansive soundstage with excellent imaging, and has a smooth tonal balance from bass to treble. When saxophone plays through this beautiful machine I feel like I’m in Jazz live club and I find myself not listening the stereo system anymore I just enjoying the music with big smile on my face.

Pros and Cons ? These two beautiful amplifier does NOT have a pros but NO cons either and that's why I like the McIntosh. They just sounds so right no matter what speakers you pair with or any genre of music you playing~!
 
Paul - thanks for the explanation. I agree, the 601's are the best Mc amps I have ever heard too. More tube like than some tube amps!

Paul - what are your thoughts on the 2301's? I sure miss mine!
 
Mike said:
Paul - thanks for the explanation. I agree, the 601's are the best Mc amps I have ever heard too. More tube like than some tube amps!

Paul - what are your thoughts on the 2301's? I sure miss mine!
Click to expand...

Mike, If I ever get the MC2301's than It will be replace the both MC601's and Mc275's ( Coz they are mixture of both ) but I rather have two totally separate units like I have. Do you get it what I'm trying to explain ?
 
Yes, I do. I think the 500T would give that midrange bloom to the 601's - then you have a great combo. True?
 
I finally was able to run dedicated AC to the back of the room and got the gear and racks out of the middle of the room. It was a sound diffusion nightmare.


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