McIntosh MC402 as monoblock?


I do have the MC402 to drive Shahinian Diapasons, and, though I love the sound, I keep thinking about going monoblocks. There is the way of two MC501s, or getting a second MC402, and connect it as a mono-amp. Did anybody try this, or compare two 402s to two 501s?
Also, my speakers offer 6 ohm-resistance, and sound best from the 8-ohm-tap. With a 402 used as monoblock, electrical impedance drops to 4 ohms: Is it still possible to use them with a 8- or 6-ohm-speaker without losing out soundwise?
hassel

Showing 1 response by bigjoe

the mc402 is not meant to be ran as a monoblock, the only current 2 channel amp mcintosh makes that's meant to be ran as a monoblock (bridged) is the mc252, what your thinking of doing with 2 mc402's is meant for vertical biamping plus if you run your amps hard while pushing 4ohms to an 8ohm speaker the amps will get roasting hot & quickly go into protection mode (been there & done that :(

i had the mc402 & the mc252 at the same time & i thought both amps were so close in performance that i ended up keeping the mc252 over the 402, i then added a 2nd mc252 & ran them both bridged as monoblocks & the performance was excellent but still not like the mc501's.

i have ran a ton of mcintosh 2 channel amps as monoblocks & i liked them too but none compared to the mc501's or mc1201's,i still havnt tried the mc1000's so i cant comment on them.

the better move would be to sell your mc402 & upgrade to the mc501's instead,if you bought your mc402 used at $3,500 & found another mc402 for the same price you would still have 7k into the pair & mc501's can be had for less than that brand spankin new .

mike.