Big Mcintosh MC1000 pwr amp s?

The question I wonder about, is yes,I understand how many large high wattage Amplifiers will have plenty of reserve power on tap, and this can be a good thing for transients-dynamics, but to what point will one go?No doubt there's probably not a speaker made on the planet that requires 1KW, or 1.2KW of power to drive, and I wonder just how much better a MC-1201 would power, and sound per any given speaker versus the MC-501?I'm sure one could perhaps apply in jest, the age old saying, that "if the first watt doesn't sound good, what good will another 1199 watts do"? Unless there are design differences between these models, I cannot see how there would be much radical difference in sound? I suppose there is though, otherwise, why would McIntosh make them in the first place? Mark

I wonder just how much better a MC-1201 would power, and sound per any given speaker versus the MC-501

To my ear, the MC1201 is MUCH more dynamic, while maintaining the sweet, liquid sound of the MC501.

Thanks everyone for the answers.

Keep wondering one thing though. Would a pair of 501's be a better choice than a pair of MC1000's? No match for the 1201's, that much I can make out of the written opinions, but what would you choose? A pair of the newer 501s or a pair of the older 1000's?

brgds, marcelo

Marcelo, My opinion (for what it's worth! lol) is if you can afford the MC-1201's, I say go for it my freind!

Different people have different goals, and strategies about audio equipment, and from what I gather somewhat about you, you wish to make a wise purchase decision, buy equipment that you are going to be happy with, and be happy with for a long time to come.

To me, even if I had Donald Trump's pocketbooks, I sure wouldn't want to be going through every flavor of the month, like I'm changing my socks, regardless of how much money I had.

I'd want to find something I can live with, be happy with, feel I spent my money wisely, and properly, and the bottom line is, the money spent satisfies me.

I've heard equipment that exceeds $150K in price. $33K Amps alone, not to mention the front end, and pre-amps-spekers that went along with.

I've heard equipment that perhaps impressed more than McIntosh gear in general at first, but I think most Audiophiles here will agree, Amps, and Speakers that are sharp, over-accentuated, and highly analytical can get tiresome very quickly.

My opinion is "what good is $150K worth of equipment, and it tortures you, that after 25 minutes you're fatigued, and want to shut everything down?

McIntosh by nature is generally very smooth gear, yet has never seemed to lack detail, and articulation.

Usually, it's the media one places on the CD Tray, or the Turntable Platter that has it's shortcomings.

One, I believe must always remember this, when placing a slightly beat up 35-45 year old LP on the Platter, and hearing shortcomings in the sound. One with wisdom always tries to "see" past this, and just enjoy the moment, and the music.

I wish you the best of luck my freind, and as far as McIntosh goes, I think this is still a company who is a first class contender, and worthy of anybody's home, no matter how deep their paocketbooks are. Mark

Looks like I'm going to be in the minority of the postings here. I've owned the 1000s for around 8 yrs now. I tried the 1201s for about a month. They are great and I would choose them over just about anything else in their price range. But ultimately I liked the 1000s better. The speakers I had at the time were Maggie 3.6s and Apogee Duetta Sigs. Different speakers and I might have liked the 1201s better. Your own taste will ultimatlely decide what the "best" is. Being as objective as I can, I would say the 1201s have a faster sound and the 1000s a more relaxed sound. This again will cause a preference for one over the other, not making one absolutely better. Short of hearing both, your best bet is problably what your doing here and go with your instincts. Good luck.