MC402 vs FPB 300cx

In response to the McIntosh producing power into impedance. The 400 WPC into 8,4,or 2 ohms is a manufacturer published MINIMUM. Dynamic specs are not published and I verified this with a McIntosh Rep who assured me the 402 was capable of far more than it's faceplate nomenclature, especially when driving into descending impedances. All other comparisons aside between the Krell and The Mac, this particular point of contention is completely false. Although they may have different outputs into those impedances, stop at 400 the MC402 does not...

What were these difficult loads (specifically) low impedance speakers, large speakers? And what are you quantifying this with? Wattage? Current? Is this literally a by ear measure? I ask because I'm curious and as a relatively new-comer to the hobby (a year and a half in) I'm fascinated at the difference between ratings in power and actual sound. According to Mc there is greater than 100 amps current output per channel which would equate to a lot of watts, correct? I came from a Bryston 14b sst and like the sound of the Mac much more. It's much easier to listen to.

How hard were you pushing it to hear that? I am wondering what the next steps will be as I want to eventually move toward 802d's. I talked with McIntosh (Chuck as listed on the support site). He did speak a lot to the fact that the 803 is really a 4 or 5 ohm speaker with a few 64 ohm spikes that lead B&W to list it as an 8ohm speaker. The 802d is only harder to drive spending most of its time around 3-4 ohms. Is this information correct?

He also told me Mac is about 30% conservative, meaning out of the 4 ohm taps the 402 pushes closer to 600 watts per channel. I tried switiching around to the 8 ohm taps and heard a difference, but liked the 4 ohm tap better. He also told me 501's were the same amplifier circuit with a little more output capability due to power source. He advised the step up to be toward 1201's, not 501's, which would just be a lateral move when compared to the 402.

Interesting as I just want to arrive at an amp that will get the job done!!!! The 402 seems good for now, but we'll see when I arrive at the 802. Any thoughts?

My 402 failed about a month back (a strange erratic static sound when all is quiet without the amp connected to any sources, just speaker cables to speakers and on) and I couldnt get a replacement from Mac so my dealer cut me a deal on new 501's and I got 'em. They are a noticeable improvement and I have my eyes on a D series speaker (most likely 803 as I can't really figure out what I'd do with an 802 in terms of size) because my dealer tells me there is a B&W 800 series price increase scheduled for 2008 (January) to the tune of 15-20%.

But to get back to the thread I heard 501's driving 803D and they were pretty amazing, and only slightly behind the 802D in midrange performance. However, the same rig with a 402 I found much less involving and with a far smaller soundstage and dynamic presentation

Yeah I have spoken to the dealer and am trading my 803S for the 803D. I really do like the presentation. The tweeter speaks for itself and the added bass output capabilitiy coupled with the sweeter top end seems to breathe a little more life into the midrange. And when switched from the 402, to the 501 (with the caveat that the 402 is a great amplifier and I enjoyed it throroughly) things opened up yet again and really seemed to utilize the greater dynamic capabilities of the D vs S. Although the 402 measures powerfully, you are right Audphile, the 501 sounds more powerful at all volumes, and even at low volumes you can hear the higher current capabilities. I am in love with the 803D/501 combo and I highly recommend a listen to anyone. I have arrived at a happy home for a while after much shuffling in the last year (B&K to Bryston to Mac stereo to Mac Monos) with a very helpful dealer.

Florian,
They are wonderful amps and I really have yet to be disappointed in them, even when demoing them with multiple speaker brands. You can't go wrong and they have plenty of power to handle most any speaker, within reason and room size of course.
Brianmgrarcom, It isn't a situation reversal, just a recognition of gradation. I could have lived with the 402 for many years and been very happy. I ended up in a situation where it was a several month wait after the 402 failure and my dealer eased the pain of stepping into 501's. I think that that is one of this interest's greater aspects. The ability to compare and contrast and recognize difference, is not to swear allegiance or choose a "loser". I love most all of the Mac stuff I've heard when appropriately matched. With the 803D I just love the 501...