2. amps-preamps
  3. 128061-70972

To monoblock or not to monoblock McIntosh MC275's

Hi everyone,

I'd appreciate your opinions on the matter. I currently own an MC275 MK IV, running McIntosh XRT 28's. It sounds great - even though the XRT's can handle up 1200W and the MC275's output 80-90W.

I got my hands on a NOS (still sealed) MK IV, and I'm debating whether I should keep it and run as them monoblocks. The reason I'm not trying it personally, is because I don't want to open that new one that's still sealed.

So my dilemma is -  would running 2 MC275 as monoblocks make a BIG difference in sound quality?

I'm sure it will be louder, but for the sake of the argument, if my sound is now 100% - in your opinion
(hypothetically speaking) will it improve it to say 103% or 120%? Will I notice a big enough difference?

Thank you!
yyman23
webking185's avatar
webking185
216 posts
 

If you have the money, then monoblock would satisfy that want.  Also depends what speakers you are driving?  The difference is so minimal that you will tell yourself there is a difference but in actuality, its probably zero.  I bought a pair of Emotiva HC-1 and heard no sonical difference, now they are used my backyard for BBQ.

paradisecom
366 posts
 

The only thing cooler than one MC275, is two of them.  cool

 

yyman23 OP
152 posts
 

@paradisecom

@souravhifi

Thanks for reviving this thread :-) I kept my MC275 and ended up buying a pair of MC601s. I switch between the two when I feeling like it. I also havea a pait of MC30s powering the XRT28's and it sounds amazing. I'm running a C2300 as a preamp and I absolutely love it.

souravhifi's avatar
souravhifi
7 posts
 

@yyman23 c2300 is a great pre-amp. I had it for 10 years till I saved the fund for c12000.

C2300 is the only pre-amp in that range which is analog only. All of its successors C2500, C2700, C2800 etc, all have digital inputs. Because of that, I could sell C2300 at a price very close to the price at which I bought it.

yyman23 OP
152 posts
 

@souravhifi 

Yeah, there's why it holds a special pace in my system for me. The fact that it doesn't have any digital signals coming in.  I also like the way it looks. Sunny get me wrong, the C12000 is gorgeous, but I'm keeping my C2300 for the long run.

More to discover