Article: McIntosh MC1502 Vacuum Tube Amplifier and C22 Vacuum Tube Preamplifier Mk V

[WAM]

We have been hunting for a new amp the past year. It started with the purchase of new speakers. We heard our new speakers with our amp (a Primare), and were quite happy with the results. As time went by, and we got accustomed with the speakers, we noticed distortion, especially in the high and with bad recordings (Doors, Riders on the Storm was the trigger).

A dealer invited us for a Mac demo (the new MA352, the Anniversary Set, and those 2Kw-behemoths were on the menu (coupled with Sonus Faber speakers). The MA352 did not impress us, the Anniversary Set is simply gorgeous (the best amp I have heard), but too expensive for us (let's skip the 2Kw's). 

 

So we looked around. Heard the MA352 again (but in not very favorable conditions). Liked Esoteric, was lukewarm to Moon, did not like Anthem, and so on...

 

Out dealer said "you should give the MA352 another listen with the speakers you have". Why not, we thought. We fed the parking-meter for an hour. As the demo began we were - again - not impressed. "You should listen to the same tracks again after an hour", said the dealer.  As time passed, the amp started to sing, I had to make a run to the parking-meter..

 

We have listened to other amps (including Mac solid state), but none of them was (for us) a match for the MA352. As you can guess, we ended up buying the MA352. It's a lot of money, but we think it's money well spent. The after sales, the build quality, it's al top notch. Perhaps I am a bit off topic..

 

[WAM]

Sorry, cannot resist posting this (crappy) shot in the dark...