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MCINTOSH MC601 VERSUS PASS LABS X350.8

Hello everyone

Have a pair of  Mcintosh MC601's mono blocks  power amps and thinking about to replace it with Pass Labs X350.8 or X260.8 monoblocks or maybe replace just the C500 pre amp.  Keep it the Mcintosh or replace it with the Pass Labs? Thanks for any comments.

Here is my system

MCINTOSH MC601'S 

MCINTOSH C500 PRE

WILSON AUDIO SASHA'S 1

TRANSPARENT AUDIO REFERENCE G5 SPEAKER AND INTERCONNECTS CABLES

OPPO 205, ESOTERIC DV50

zorro

Showing 1 response by laaudionut

laaudionut
249 posts
 

Zorro-

 

I have had the following McIntosh SS amps,

MC150

MC300

MC501 (monos)

MC601 (like yours)

I was a Mac guy for years until I bought the Pass XA60.8, then the XA 100.8, and then the XA 160.8. Once I heard what Pass did better than Mac (which is most things), all my Mac gear went on the block. Pass amps are more articulate and transparent without being bright, and throw a wider soundstage with better separation of instruments. I am certain you will find the same. Note that now I have a Coda Model 16 and enjoy my system even more. Do not even bother with Pass preamps, however...they are anemic and soul-less beyond describe. Odd, I know.

 

Good luck and happy listening!

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