Best Amp for McIntosh sys.- MC252, MC402, or MC501

Of the 2) 2 channel amps listed I would go with the 402. I have one and love it. I had a 352 and really didn't expect much when i bought it I just wanted to get away from the changing of the bulbs. But the 402 is a newer design than the 252 and has a few differences that add to a better sounding amp. One is the newer design power supply, to which accedit the better sound over the 352 I had. And second is the "quad balanced" circuitry also referred to as "dual differntial" in earlier Mc amps. This lowers the noise floor of the amp.

Edpowers

As a mono block devotee I usually would agree with their use, BUT in this case having heard the 500's on the 100's, the sound was simply too tipped up and edgy when the volume was raised.

There are distinct diffs in the sound between the 402 & 602, apart from the obvious better control the bigger amp provides, there was more weight in the tones and voices were more immediate.

I came very close to buying the 602 back then for my BWs. In the end however given $$$, and again, I could have lived very well with that 402. That and the fact the 602 was about my limit for amp hoisting and shifting about... it's well over 140 lbs as I recall... so there's that too.

The 402 is absolutely a very good amp. No question. At this point it's more a matter of degrees now than distinct night and day desparities.

the notes above regarding a possible forthcoming speaker move up should now be addressed and either amp, 402; 602; or monos as well as expense ought be given due consideration before diving on into one of these solutions.

Thanks to everyone for your comments, they were very helpful. In response to Lewinskih01, I might use the Paradigms as surrounds at later date. My thought was to get a C45 or a simullar MAC replacement for future expansion.

I had the MC252 and now have a pair of MC501's. My speakers are Sonus Faber Cremona 3 way floor standing speakers which are very efficient, 91 db at 1 watt. The first thing I noticed even before the 501's were broken in was that the sound stage had more 3 dimensional separation and much more bass. Where the MC252 had terrific center imaging for vocals it did not erase the fact that I was listening to sound coming from a speaker. With the 501's I could look straight at the speakers and yet the sound seemed like the music was coming from everwhere but the box, a very freaky feeling. When listening to music with wide swings in dynamic range, Flim and B B's for example the sudden bursts are effortless for the 501's. With more complex classical or rock music the 501's display a musical canvas where every instrument and vocal has its point on the sound stage. I can't imagine getting rid of mine for a very long time. You can buy MC501's on the used market for $1000 more than the MC402 all day and be able to resell them for what you paid. While the MC402 are a nice amp. to me they sound more like the MC252 then the MC501's.

I would go with the 402 and spend the money saved on other things in audio system for other improvements maybe. The 402 is a very musical amp and more than enough for your system.