2. amps-preamps
  3. 183233-179816

McIntosh MC275 vs MC1502

Auditioned the two in my home system, albeit not side by side. MC275 is a demo from a local dealer, and it sounded warmer than MC1502, with more prominent lower end middle. In some pieces, eg jazz, piano sounded velvety, even oily at times.

MC1502 sounded more like SS amp - very prominent top middle, a bit wider stage and separation, more power, but surprisingly no more bass than in MC275. This piece is used without any knowledge of its history. I heard a bit of tube noise from one of the channels immediately after I turned it on. 

Have anybody heard the same sound impressions, or there is an issue with the MC1502?

I connected both directly from Aurender A15, also paired MC275 with C49; driving Sonus Faber Sonettos VIII. 

evernv
allanblissett
163 posts
 

Why don't you try a mcintosh forum. 

evernv OP
8 posts
 

Thanks @allanblissett, will do

john75
5 posts
 

@evernv - I know this is a dated thread but thought I would follow up.  Have you had any more thoughts about the two amps?  I think what you are noticing is that the MC1502 a better signal-to-noise ratio of 112dB vs.105dB for the MC275...which I interpret as you are getting less of the pleasing tube distortion.

strangelove
2 posts
 

So I can’t compare the 1502 to the 275, but I have a MC2000 and a MC275 Anniversary edition. It seems like the 1502 is somewhat of an updated version of the MC2000 as best I can tell. The 1502 is rated a bit higher watt-wise but the 2000 has been measured to actually put out close too the same amount of power. The 2000 is also dual mono where the 1502 is not. The 1502 has a 12dB higher S/N ratio, not sure how much that matters. The 275 is 5 dB better than the 2000 but the 2000 blows it out of the water.

From what I’ve heard about the 1502 and pretty much all the new MC tube amps from the last 10-15 years is they sound more solid state than tubey. This has kept me from upgrading my amp (and money LOL).

Both the 2000 and 275 have a wonderful tube sound. The 2000 blows the 275 out of the water though in sound stage, clarity, robustness. Both lack in bass AFAIK which is why I’m bi-amping my B&Ws with a solid state for the lowers and the tube amp for the mid/highs.

I would love to hear how the 1502 compares directly to the 2000 but I’ve as of yet not seen that, probably because so few 2000s are out there.

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