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Mac MA 352 vs Pass INT-60

I've had an order in for the Mac MA 352 for 3 months and supposedly it's coming shortly.   I wanted the tube front end but now I've got an option since I no longer think I need a balance control and I just found a really good deal for a new Pass INT-60. I'm running these, hopefully, into KEF R7 Metas at 88 dB.  I figure the Pass is adequate into those 4 ohm speakers in my 25x14 space. I also figure the Pass has as much tube-like quality with likely a better high end than the Mac. If price is not a factor, what do you think?  The Pass is a beast, but I can deal with that, and my first real amp was a Threshold 400A.  I have some worry about current delays in Mac serviceability also.  :)

128x128howardlee
audphile1's avatar
audphile1
5,314 posts
 

@howardlee you need room above and and on the sides for the Pass amp to breath properly. I highly recommend, if possible, to have the amp on the stand and out of the rack for the following reasons….you give it a chance to dissipate heat and you minimize EMI. I always found the system to sound significantly better with the amp out of the rack. 

avanti1960
1,490 posts
 

@howardlee 

you may like the Pass better but neither are ultimate destinations.  mac makes incredible amplifiers but their preamp and preamp sections are not so great and imho gives people the impressions they have have about the brand.  put a clean, refined, neutral, transparent non mac preamp in front of a mac power amp and you have an exceptional system. 

the pass amps are simply too colored for my preferences and it imprints their sound on every bit of music. 

howardlee's avatar
howardlee OP
72 posts
 

You’re right about Mac amps being sought after in the past. I don’t know about the preamp history but this hybrid had me interested for the tube front end. Without autoformers made amp kind of a different animal. I just decided there was more certainty with Pass once I got over the tube thing. I still think I’d have been happy with the Mac and didn’t want the extra features. I’ll also admit to being someone ready to turn off the tube LEDs. Meters ok, but real tube glow is special IMO.

dwest1023
226 posts
 

If you change out the stock tunes to pvane horizon, the mac 352 will sound significantly better. As far as pass coloring sound, my pass 250 does not color the sound anymore than my Mac, Accuphase, Hegal. They all have a slightly different presentation. During my amp, rotation there are times when I feel my other amps sound just as nice as my pass until I put my pass back in rotation. The Pass does, it the best. The pass 60 is darker sounding than the 250. 

missioncoonery
1,227 posts
 

Ive had many Pass products, as well Mac..currently own a int60 and mine doesn't get hot, ever..warm to the tough but hot or room heater never...Pass sounds colored?...that's a new one to me.As far as McIntosh, I wouldn't  touch one now with a 10 foot pole, especially with Bose involved. 

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