mcintosh 501 vs 2102

That is my thread Jamnesta has attached.

My view is that 1 x MC2102 is generally a nice amp but does not have the dynamics nor the power vs the MC501's. The single MC2102 does however have that "tube" magic that the MC501's will never have and there is the quandry.
When you go to 2 x MC2102's you really get the best of all worlds. the dynamics and power are in spades and you get the tube magic.
I now have the c2300 and it is an excellent pre amp. It is also more revealing than say my old c46, but a lot better balanced.
I tried the MC501's back in 2006 and preferred the 2xMC2102's to the MC501's. I again tried the Mc501's about a month ago when I was demoing the c2300. the 2xMC2102's now kill the MC501's period.
You can get more detail from the karma thread.

have fun

that was a great link. so downunder, in what way did you enjoy the tubes over the 501. i have the 501's for a while and i love them, but i did grow up with ss, i grew up listening to the mc2500 that at 20yrs old (org owner) still looks and sounds as if it was brand new. but i do like how tubes give you that ease, almost warmth. i just got the c2300 but have not opened the box, i am using my shindo monbrison still. how did the c2300 blend with the 501 and how do you like it with your 2102? when you say more revealing, in what way do you mean?

The bass on the 2xMC2102's gets larger and grows with the music as you turn up the volume, the 501's bass gets tighter as does most SS bass. I think the tube bass is more natural sounding.
In the upper frequencies again the Mc2102's have better depth and more of a 3d effect, whereas the 501's sound somewhat mechanical and 2d in comparison.

The C2300 sounded better with the MC2102's than did the 501's.

Don't get me wrong, the 501's sound good but if you like the sound of tubes, you won't look back.

cheers

thanks alot. for your indept comments. just wondering did you ever test the 275 remake? i was thinking of maybe doing two of them.

No never heard the MC275. Me I like the idea od my tubes cruising with 200 watts for 16 x KT88's or 6550's vs 150 watts with 8 x KT88's or 6550's.

Whuch amp do you think is working harder??