Hi, Mc-602 owner,
Yes Auto formers will restrict the dynamics as you reach the end of the power band. It's a trade off between clipping and max power.
McIntosh amps don't clip. Protecting one's speakers from damage!
So the real question is how much power does I need to achieve the volume level desired.
Fundamental rule is to double volume it takes 10 times the power.
Meaning if you like to listen to soft levels 10 watts is average, double volume is 100 watts, to double again 1,000 watts. As you can see it does not take that much volume to max out a 1,000 watt amp. How much air do you want to move? This is where the term headroom comes into being. I say you should have at least one level double volume of headroom.
My McIntosh MC-602 will put out 600 watts and not even get hot. At 60 watts I move a lot of air and still have 540 watts to play with.
Another factor one should consider when choosing a amp. HEAT will destroy it over time. McIntosh amps have a long history of running cool. Just look at all of the used 40-50 year old amps for sale on Audiogon still getting good money. With McIntosh if you keep it long enough you can sell it for more than the original price.... How many other Mfg. can claim this ?????
The last point I will make is Big amps have so much more detail @ one half watt output. I love my MC-602
Yes Auto formers will restrict the dynamics as you reach the end of the power band. It's a trade off between clipping and max power.
McIntosh amps don't clip. Protecting one's speakers from damage!
So the real question is how much power does I need to achieve the volume level desired.
Fundamental rule is to double volume it takes 10 times the power.
Meaning if you like to listen to soft levels 10 watts is average, double volume is 100 watts, to double again 1,000 watts. As you can see it does not take that much volume to max out a 1,000 watt amp. How much air do you want to move? This is where the term headroom comes into being. I say you should have at least one level double volume of headroom.
My McIntosh MC-602 will put out 600 watts and not even get hot. At 60 watts I move a lot of air and still have 540 watts to play with.
Another factor one should consider when choosing a amp. HEAT will destroy it over time. McIntosh amps have a long history of running cool. Just look at all of the used 40-50 year old amps for sale on Audiogon still getting good money. With McIntosh if you keep it long enough you can sell it for more than the original price.... How many other Mfg. can claim this ?????
The last point I will make is Big amps have so much more detail @ one half watt output. I love my MC-602