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McIntosh MC352 or MC402?

I'm getting ready to jump on the McIntosh bandwagon. I have read wonderful reviews of the MC402 and the MC352 but can't decide which would be a better value. Does the 402 have much of a sonic improvement over the 352? I've read that the 352 is slightly less harsh in the mids and highs but this could be attributed to break in time or the lack thereof. I plan on using whichever amp I choose with a Sunfire Classic Tube Preamp. My source components are a Denon cd player and a Thorens turntable. Speakers are vintage JBL 120Ti's, but I may be upgrading to Thiel 1.6's I would really appreciate any input anyone may have.
donwass65
musicnoise
377 posts
 
Mcintosh will sell you the service manuals for their amplifiers and they are inexpensive. The manuals consist of parts lists and schematics, but that is the best way to compare the different models, other than testing them yourself.
lece
8 posts
 
I have a MC252 and a MC352 - the MC352 is meant to be run balanced, and when used as such, is hands down a better amplifier over the MC252. That being said, the MC402 is supposedly a fantastic amplifier, but you can get 2 NOS MC352's from Audio Classics for the same price as 1 New MC402. 1 MC352 per speaker will out perform the MC402, without question.
ejbartley731
5 posts
 
I don't know if anyone is still looking at this blog but would I be happy with the MC352 as my first Mac?  I've owned the Rotel RB 1090, a pair of Emotiva XPR1s monoblocks, a Bryston 4BST and way way back, a Sumo Polaris.  I'm selling a new Rotel RB1590 to get the money for the 352.
ejbartley731
5 posts
 
Should I keep the Rotel RB 1590?

skypunk's avatar
skypunk
499 posts
 
Get what you really want.

You have to live with it.

Thats why I only rode the Macintosh band wagon for less than a month.

Could not live with it.
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