Mark Levinson No: 333 vs. MCintosh MC 352?

Funny you ask because last year I auditioned at length the MC352 and No.335 on a pair of B&W N802s (I owned N804s for a while) with some Tara Lab cables (amps were swapped out on same setup) and I found that the MC352 had a liquid, involving quality with an openness and effortlessness that the Levinson just did not have no matter how hard I tried to hear it. The levinson looks awesome but as far as sound is concerned I must hand it to McIntosh. I spent easily an hour listening to them with a very enthusiastic employee (the store was deserted) and we both agreed the MC352 is just one of the best there is. I have since also auditioned the 383 and found it somewhat flat too (compared to the Classe 151 integrated). I will buy as MC352 as soon as I can afford it. I can't wait to get it!

Ligi is right-352 sound more musical then ml333 without hard edge.

Thanks for all of your opinions. I did go on Audioreview.com and it seems like the MC352 is the winner compared to the ML 333 in sound quality, but the ML 333 looks gorgeous and it is a little hard to back away too.I am trying to convince myself it's the sound that I'm looking for, not the looks of the amp, but I still couldn't make the decision. I really need as much help as possible to choose the right amp between the two and Lev335, I listened ML 335 once at the dealers. It sounds really good, but I can't afford it right now. Thanks.

Come on... how does one compare Mac to Levinson.Buy the Mac!

Some of these responses are a joke, and I probably don't have near the expeience that some of you do.

We all have our biased opinions as to the sound we like, talk to a Linnie, I've known some and just came from a Linn shop this afternoon, they are the least desireable salespeople to deal with!

I have owned the 383 and I miss it! I also have heard the MC352 and it is on the tops of my list if I can afford one.

I am sure my opening line ruffles feathers, but just because a certain brand is not, or is, your cup of tea doesn't mean the other is terrible.

At one of the stores I was at today, they had Musical Fidelity and I wanted to hear the A3CR power amp; after that I had them switch to the Bryston 4B ST, on the same equipment; for my tastes it was the Bryson all the way. Yet, according to Stereophile the MF is Class A and the Bryston Class B.

Another example, there is no shortage of users happy with the MC352, yet I know a guy that owned a MC500, which listed for more than the MC352, and replaced it with a 332/331, can't remember which, and he said the ML bettered it in every way.

I also talked with another that owned or was very familiar with the MC500, in fact, Ljgj I believe, and they concurred that they were not as thrilled with it, but the less expensive 352 garners praise.