McIntosh MC501s

[Bulldogger]

I believe this is one of the most heralded amps the company has produced. No Mcintosh forum is complete with a discussion of these amps. I have owned mine for about 4 years now. Still happy with them. I have not found anything around the price point that is better.

 

[kach22i]

500 watts of solid state, right?

What speakers are they driving?

 

[es347]

I believe this is one of the most heralded amps the company has produced. No Mcintosh forum is complete with a discussion of these amps. I have owned mine for about 4 years now. Still happy with them. I have not found anything around the price point that is better.

Amen brother!

 

[kach22i]

No Mcintosh forum is complete with a discussion of these amps.

So tell me all about them.

How do they compare to let's say a Krell?

 

[Bulldogger]

Mine are driving the XR200 Mcintosh speakers. I am waiting for the release of the XCS200 center. I will also use a MC501 to drive it.Yes solid state but very smooth sounding.

 

[Bulldogger]

So tell me all about them.

How do they compare to let's say a Krell?

A lot different from a Krell. I believe they are about as close as you can get to a tube sound with solid state. I like Krell, great amps. Mcintosh removes so much of the grain that I usually associate with solid state. I do not believe I could go back to another solid state brand.

 

[kach22i]

I think I saw a pair of previously owned McIntosh MC501 for sale at a local audio store, but the photo I intended to post was accidentally deleted in my camera.

 

[Bulldogger]

With the rumors of a replacement for the MC501s, I have been trying to decide if I would upgrade. After, a day of listening,that answer is it is very unlikely. The thing that I do not like about Mcintosh amps is that you can not turn off the illumination for the letters that say Mcintosh. With my amps being placed right by the speakers, it is distracting as I do front projection. If I could completely shut off all illumination, that might actually make me upgrade. I know it is a small thing but it annoys me to no end that I can not have a completely dark theater without putting tape over the Mcintosh lettering.

 

[1kw]

Love my 501’s , have had them since 2009 and they are my forever amps. So musical, great midrange with low end authority. They sound great with my Stradivari’s