Mcintosh MC402, Krell FPB 600 or Passlabs x250.5

Hi Roxy54,

Thanks for the reply! Yup my heart is leaning towards the 402. For the Krell FPB600, I had heard it in the dealer's place but not with a SF speaker, but with two other speakers. I would say with the wrong type of matching, it may really sound 'harsh' for my liking. Surprisingly when it switched over to the other pair of speakers (I can't remember the name) it became full bodied, mid and high became much smoother. Thing is the FPO600 is also pair up with a krell kct pre amp. Still a bit too little 'aggressive' to my liking where I prefer a bit mellow / easy listening setup.

I do not have a chance to listen to Passlab yet. What if i'm able to run the passlabs in balanced mode? Would it be much better than the MC402? But if the Pass more analytical type then I would probably look else where. Seems to be a safer bet to go with the 402.

Hi Ct0517,

Thanks for your reply! The living room is about 16ft W x 30ft L, while the bedroom is only 15ft W x 10ft L. For Olympica II the port is kinda special, it is single-side port located at the back end of the speaker, in pair you can either setup facing each other (inward) or facing out (outward). Fancy name from their website would be "side-firing vertical reflex ports covered by a perforated metal sheet", but I have to admit that it looks kinda cool and nice with the speaker design.

As of now I'm facing them outward.

Hi Ct0517,

Yea the bigger space definitely plays a part.. I'm sitting like 7-8fts from the speaker, and both the speakers are 8fts from each otheres with a bit of toe-in. It is like a triangle..

To be frank I actually like the sound from 400xi, but I will be using it for my bedroom setup which is now replaced by another pair of smaller sf bookshelf, that's why I need to get another amp too, sorry for not stating it earlier.. For the additional subs, will it cause more complication (to match with the speakers?) But again thanks for the suggestion..

Just an update on a short audition that I had at the other dealer's place with the mac 402. it was a C39 + 402 combo driving a pair of Revel Ultima Salon 2. No proper setup but more like a quick plug & play for a short audition. Surprisingly the mac setup was not 'slow' at all like some had mentioned previously (maybe it is their newer generation)? I did miss the full bodied low end and the punch from fpb600, but the 402 is not too bad too, just probably more polite. I did like the mid from mac better, meanwhile I think both are doing quite good on the treble / higher pitch note.

Won't have chance to listen to the passlabs but i guess it would not go worng with either the mac or krell since I guess both are quite good in their own league, just down to own preference..

Back to your query for the fpb600, my location is not in US, but it is around US$4.6k after conversion, while the 402 and x250.5 is slightly cheaper..

Hi Mattmiller,

If nothing goes wrong, guess I'll pull the trigger soon.. for the Mac :)

Hi Unsound & George,

Thanks for your input. Yup I have read it on other forums as well regarding the autoformer. I guess it is either you love it or you hate it? If not looking from the technical perspective, I actually kinda like how the MC402 sound compared to the krell (no chance to listen to the Passlabs yet). The krell is impressive, full bodied, impressive punch and bottom end, smooth and detail sounding, but the mc402 sounds more 'relaxing' to me while not sacrificing those quality such as soundstage, details, transparent (yes to me it is quite neutral, non tube-like / coloured sound at all), and it is not SLOW at all like some have claimed the Mac amps are.

Probably at the end of the day when return home from work, I would find Mac sound to be more appealing. Krell is very strong competitor, and the fpb600 that I listened to, is not 'harsh' or 'dry' at all (again like what some other forumer have claimed to be). I would love to have the bottom end (bass) quality from krell to Mac, but guess we cant have best of both world (probably with much higher cost?) If I further add in durability factor, I guess both of them shouldnt give too much problem? Even though the krell class A runs much hotter..

For Passlabs, i have heard all good thing about Pass, but it is unfortunate for not having chance to listen to it. Over here it is also much rare item in used market compared to the other two..

Hi Unsound, it is extremely difficult to come across those brand in the used market here.. especially Rowland.. probably those are keeper and nobody would like to sell it away..

Malaysia..

Hi Mikey8811,

Thanks for your input. Eventually after listening to both, I actually went with the Mac. I don't mind to sacrifice the low end from Krell for the overall much relaxed presentation from the MC402. Ya the Olympica 2 has different taste from their older model, but overall I like the changes, to me they are more transparent / neutral..

I guess it is same for the MC402. Compared to older Mac, it is kind of different taste, but overall in good way. No doubt the 'magic' from older Mac & SF is still very tempting, but i think both new designs make it a better all rounder for more type of music genre..

Now im one happy owner of MC402, yay!

Hi CT0517,

Yup my sofa is about 7-8 feet away from the speaker, behind my sofa is actually the dining area and open kitchen area. Compared to the previous setup using krell 400xi, the speakers are not bass shy anymore. The bass now goes deep and tight (not as fast/accurate as the krell), and the sound is much fuller. Instrument separation is at another whole level, and the soundstage is wide and you can feel the 'depth'.

I find that the larger area actually provides more space for the speaker to sing (note that I did not so any sort of room treatment, but just let it sings freely in my living room). Overall im really happy with the MC402 pairing up with the olympica II.

I also did some trial between the 4ohm vs 8ohm output from the mc402, and i like the 8ohm more (olympicaII is rated at 4ohm). I find the sound from 8ohm is more dynamic and accurate, while the 4ohm is slightly better at midrange (smoother & sweeter)..

Once again thanks everyone who contributed their feedback!