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McIntosh MC252 vs. MC352

I'm looking to purchase one of these McIntosh amplifiers-preowned. They are approx. the same price (<$3K). Outside of power (250-wpc vs.350-wpc), which one sounds better? I'm planning to run a Mark Levinson 390s (CD Player w/built-in vol. control) directly into the Amp., then out into a pair of Wilson Duette speakers. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated. Again, sound quality not quanity, is most important.
petronis88b9b1
audphile1's avatar
audphile1
4,323 posts
 
petronis88@aol.com, with the Levinson player going directly into the amp, I'd go for the Levinson amp as well. Levinson mates with Wilson very well.

I've heard the 252 and 402 but never heard 352. They are pretty good amps, but I think Levinson would be better.
smholl
190 posts
 
I am the owner of an MC252. I have heard both, and besides a little more horsepower from the MC352, I could not heard much difference. If you have a large room or speakers that need the 100 watts over the MC252, get the MC352.
My room is 15x12, so 250 watts was more than enough for me. Another thing that swayed me toward the MC252 vs. 352 was styling. MC252 has the newer design with 3-D faceplate and fiber-optic lighting.
You can't lose with either amp. Both sound incredible.
rodmiller56's avatar
rodmiller56
6 posts
 
I am currently running C220 tube preamp driving an MC252 and an MC275 biamped to kef reference series. The MC252 should be fine for your needs unless you have a large room trying to achieve high SPL'S. If you have duetta's then you are probably not listening in a large room.
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