McIntosh SS Amps - Old vs New - Sonics

The 7200 was one of the transitional amps, better than than what preceded it. It was part of a line of amps that signalled change at McIntosh and a broadening of their appeal. An MC402 has more of everything you like about the 7200 and none of what I dislike about it, i.e. all traces of the bad old Mac sound are gone. The 402 is smoothy, dynamic, sounds effortless and has much more tone to its fidelity than the 7200.

Phil

Phil,
Have you auditioned the new MA6300 integrated amp? I'm curious about it's sound. Thanks.

Jim

I heard a 6300 recently, but not in a comparative situation with a known reference, nor a room and gear I know. I didn't hear anything at variance with the current McIntosh solid state sound, but it is not as tone-rich as the autoformer amps, IMO. This is an expected difference of degree and my opinion on brief listen was positive for the category of product it is.

Phil

Phil,

Thank you.

Jim

I can't tell you much about the older macs, but I do own a pair of 501 monoblocks. To say they are impressive, would be an understatement. I have also heard the 402 amp and was also very impressed. I chose the monoblocks over the 402 for the added degree of transparancy and palpability. While the difference is not huge or night and day, it is there. I have also heard a fair share of other SS amps out there, none touched me as much as the mac amps. Huge power reserves to drive any speaker from bookshelf to the most inneficient behemoths. Smooth, grain free, tube like midrange, delicate highs that actually make cymbals sound like brass and not breaking glass, very tuneful, musical bass. What else can you ask for?