Big Mac in the house

[mca]

While browsing Audiogon yesterday, I noticed an MC402 for sale right in my neighborhood. One day and a couple of phone calls later, it is sitting in my room  . The ad said it had only been used for about three hours and it looks it.

Holy crap, this thing is big and heavy. I nearly gave myself a hernia just getting it inside. Matter of fact, it's so big, it won't even fit in my rack  

Looks like I will have to do some searching for a new rack, because next week, I will have a C2200 preamp joining it.

I can't wait to tear the entire system apart and get these in it  

[richidoo]

Congrats Mike, great choice! If it sounds anything like Carl's, you will be very happy. It makes a great combo. Good job finding it locally, you wouldn't want to ship that across the country!

I saw stereofool carry Carls 402 about 100 feet by himself, and even cool dude Steve was starting to turn red after that! haha

Grand Prix Audio makes a great stand, tho a little pricey. It is amazing, and big!
Rich

[WEEZ]

WooHoo!! Congratulations!

[Carlman]

That's awesome, Mike.  I hope it fits the bill for you.
Please keep in mind that it requires a punishing break-in.  It will sound screachy in the highs for about a month or 2 and then blammo, it goes away and turns into a sweet but detailed sound.... Keep it playing nice and loud when you're not around.... If the Piega's don't need break-in I'd consider using some older, power-hungry speakers to really punish that Mac.  

Don't give up on it... I almost did... But at about 2 months, it just stopped screaming in the highs and all was well.

Glad you found a local deal, that always helps with everything.

Carl

[miklorsmith]

Sweet!  Only two more months and you might have a winner!

Just kidding - that's great Mike, I look forward to checking out the new face of your setup.

Any chance you could do the resistor tango for burn-in?  Then you could REALLY turn it up, even at night.

Did you figure out the room measurement software?  I might have to bring the toolkit over and see what's up.

[lonewolfny42]

Good luck with the Mac !!! I'll be watching for your comments Mike/mca....happy listening !!!!

Chris

[mca]

Any chance you could do the resistor tango for burn-in? Then you could REALLY turn it up, even at night.

I'm not even sure how this is done, but with my luck, I would blow something up.

Did you figure out the room measurement software? I might have to bring the toolkit over and see what's up.

I hate trying to figure this kind of stuff out, and have not done so yet. Anytime you want to bring your kit over and help me figure it out, let me know  

[Joker]

Man I've longed for a Mac amp for a long time. I would love to have the 501 mono's! Any updates on how it is sounding now that you've had it for a little while?

John

[mca]

Carl was right, it takes forever to break a mac amp in. But I think I am there, as it has lost the last trace of hardness.

[Black Sand Cable]

I wish......my MC402 is still harsh at times but it's getting there! 

[Joker]

What do you guys think of the Classe CAM-350 or 400 monoblocks, equal to a Mac 402? Or even the 501's? I'm torn between those choices.  Thank you!

John

[richidoo]

I like the Classe sound, but only heard them twice on B&W and Vandersteen, neither speakers my cup of tea. One B&W demo was at local dealer, equipment setup that day by B&W and Classe factory staff. That was quite a sound. Put the MF/Wilson/Levinson demos to shame. Another was with Vandersteen quattro intro tour. Speakers were notsetup at all, so sounded like crap, but I could still hear the glory of the amp (dynamics, subtle musicality.) They are very authoritative and pretty natural sounding for a solid state amp    Until I heard Carl's mac402 on my speakers I never thought I could buy ss amp. I think the classe's would be similar, very smooth and musical. Not sure if as "transparent" as mac was, but could be. They are very nice sounding in their own right. Relatively expensive as I remember...
Rich

[bpape]

The one Classe' amp I heard that I really was impressed with was the original Omega Monos.  These were high five figure mono amps.  They were truly special. 

Bryan

[Joker]

Thanks for your thoughts. Right now I have a Classe CA-300 on Martin Logan Odyssey's and it sounds very good but I've got a serious hankerin for a set of mono blocks! I've heard many good things about the Mac 501's but have also heard the same about the Classe mono blocks as well. Decisions, decisions..

[miklorsmith]

Yes, Scarlett Johansen or Jessica Alba?  So tough sometimes . . .