Well after much thought, and auditions with various amps driving my Quad ESL's, it seems like the MC452 is one hell of an amp based on performance. It's design is simply top-class, balanced outputs/inputs, and true "quad balanced" configuration, with each tap having it's own grounding. It even out-performs the bigger 601 monoblocks in terms of current capability. This is one amp that can handle large electrostats with ease and drives them to their full potential.
The c-j monoblocks were a good audition, but really did not justify the jump in price compared to the overall musical presence the MC452 delivers. Soundstage, scale, size and level of realism with this beauty from McIntosh is going to be very hard to beat at it's price point. The only ss amps that I have come across that could match up would be a pair of Pass Labs monoblocks costing nearly 3 times the price!
As for the time being I have put the purchase on hold for a while, since my daughter will be commencing high school in a few months. So there are other important factors in family life that come first (although this amp would be a necessity...); I guess I can wait for a while.
This decision has also made the wifey very happy, and still enjoys our moments together listening to Simon and Garfunkel with the c-j mv60se (still a gem in every aspect of "classic" amplification).
Anyone else experience the MC452 and its greatness? please share your thoughts.
Cheers and have a good one,
RJ
The c-j monoblocks were a good audition, but really did not justify the jump in price compared to the overall musical presence the MC452 delivers. Soundstage, scale, size and level of realism with this beauty from McIntosh is going to be very hard to beat at it's price point. The only ss amps that I have come across that could match up would be a pair of Pass Labs monoblocks costing nearly 3 times the price!
As for the time being I have put the purchase on hold for a while, since my daughter will be commencing high school in a few months. So there are other important factors in family life that come first (although this amp would be a necessity...); I guess I can wait for a while.
This decision has also made the wifey very happy, and still enjoys our moments together listening to Simon and Garfunkel with the c-j mv60se (still a gem in every aspect of "classic" amplification).
Anyone else experience the MC452 and its greatness? please share your thoughts.
Cheers and have a good one,
RJ