252 vs 352
Would someone tell me the differences between the MC 252 and MC352 other than the 100 more watts ??Thanks
MC352 is sonically better. 100w. is A LOT more juice. Just look at the resale value.
I think the major difference is - someone please correct me if I am wrong.
352 is a fully Balanced design.
copied from Audio Classics web site -
DOUBLE-BALANCED PUSH-PULL DESIGN
The MC352 is fully balanced from input to speaker output. Matched amplifiers operate is complimentary push-pull with their outputs combined in the McIntosh autoformer. The resulting double-balanced configuration cancels virtually all distortion. This circuit design is possible only with the McIntosh autoformer.
You of course will find folks who love each one.
I could not hear any difference between a mc252 and mc402 if this helps. I know alot of opinions are that you will hear a difference by I doubt you will. Most people do not come anywhere near close to using 250 or 350 watts in a typical 2 channel stereo. The threshold of pain for your ears is 110 db, you will reach that before you use 1/2 the power of these amps. As far as push pull or whatever, if you look at the specs. of either amp you will see they both have very very low harmonic distortion something like .005%. which is not detectable by the human ear.
Originally Posted by dj_AmTraXMC352 is sonically better. 100w. is A LOT more juice. Just look at the resale value.
How so?
Originally Posted by dj_AmTraXMC352 is sonically better. 100w. is A LOT more juice. Just look at the resale value.
It's the reserve power an amp has that makes it quot;powerfulquot;. Rule of thumb is it takes double the power for a 3db increase so 100 more watts won't make much of a difference. However, I would have to assume that the MC352 has more reserve power than the MC252...but I would also have to assume that most people rarely use the reserve power both amps are capable of on a daily bases.
Originally Posted by entdocI could not hear any difference between a mc252 and mc402 if this helps. I know alot of opinions are that you will hear a difference by I doubt you will. Most people do not come anywhere near close to using 250 or 350 watts in a typical 2 channel stereo. The threshold of pain for your ears is 110 db, you will reach that before you use 1/2 the power of these amps. As far as push pull or whatever, if you look at the specs. of either amp you will see they both have very very low harmonic distortion something like .005%. which is not detectable by the human ear.
I assure you that my ears have a different threshold than yours .
Originally Posted by MacDoggI assure you that my ears have a different threshold than yours .
Sorry if this post sounds like a lecture however while this hobby is supposed to be fun if I can supply a little information which helps someone prevent damaging their hearing so be it. You might be right, if you have hearing loss ! If you are near princeton NJ, I will be happy to test your hearing.
Below is a scale of different sounds and the db levels they create. , with sounds louder than 85 db hearing protection is recommended. The louder the sound the less time of exposure it takes to damage your hearing. Ringing in the ears, tinnitus is one sign of hearing loss. Anyway that is a very short blurb and I hope I did not turn anyone off. Sorry if I did.
Pages/Pa...ation/989.html
I also think one hears more details at low volumes. I may be wrong, but room acoustics become MORE important at high volumes. Having said that, I do believe that high current capability is more critical than power rating since we all know that a 3db increase in sound pressure requires doubling the power. With my MC-402, I mostly run my Aerial Acoustics Model 8 (87 db sensitivity) at less than 4 W. A lot also depends on the recording; thin sounding recordings always sound thin to me while full-bodied recordings sound satisfying at any volume. But, that may be just me.
I am using the MC252 with a pair if Jubilees which are very efficient. They sound good no matter at what level. The thing I noticed at higher levels (25 watts constant on the big blue meters) they don't sound loud (if that makes any sense ). They are loud but they are asking for more.....
I could not hear any difference between a mc252 and mc402 if this helps.
I couldn't hear any difference between the mc252 and the mc402 either. I originally came in to listen to the mc402 or the tubed mc275 and the dealer offered to demo the mc252. I bought the mc252 for this reason. I believe in listening for extended periods at home for real comparisons. Does any one have both the mc402 and the Mc252? They would have the best idea of the sound between these two amps.
Jim
Page:
[1]