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    Posts: 1,313
    edited June 2008 in Electronics
    Well, I went and did it. I've wanted a pair of McIntosh 501 monoblocks for about 3 years. Called my dealer yesterday and worked out a pretty good deal. I was able to trade in my 352 for nearly what I paid for it 2.5 years ago.

    They have been playing for about 3 hours now and I must say I'm stunned what these amps can do for music. I'm looking forward to the next several weeks reacquainting myself with cd collection. I'm going to try and post a picture. No promises.


    I'll try again later with pics

    [URL="http://IMG_03491.jpg
    2 Channel -
    Martin Logan Spire, 2 JL Audio F112 subs
    McIntosh C1000 Controller with Tube pre amp, 2 MC501 amplifiers, MD1K Transport & DAC, MR-88 Tuner
    WireWorld Eclipse 6.0 speaker wire and jumpers, Eclipse 5^2 Squared Balanced IC's. Silver Eclipse PCs (5)
    Symposium Rollerblocks 2+ (16)Black Diamond Racing Mk 3 pits (8)
    Post edited by Hawkeye on
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    • Posts: 5,102
      edited May 2008
      Hawkeye wrote: »
      Well, I went and did it. I've wanted a pair of McIntosh 501 monoblocks for about 3 years. Called my dealer yesterday and worked out a pretty good deal. I was able to trade in my 352 for nearly what I paid for it 2.5 years ago.

      They have been playing for about 3 hours now and I must say I'm stunned what these amps can do for music. I'm looking forward to the next several weeks reacquainting myself with cd collection. I'm going to try and post a picture. No promises.


      I'll try again later with pics

      [IMG]http://<a href="http://s212.photobucket.com/albums/cc133/Gordon58/?action=view&current=IMG_0348.jpg&quot; target="_blank"><img src="http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc133/Gordon58/IMG_0348.jpg&quot; border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>[/IMG]

      Damn!!! I'm jealous as hell. Way to go...those bad boys will bring a tear to your eye with every CD you spin. That's one bad **** system you have going there with those awesome monoblocks at the helm. Can't wait to hear your review...although I already know what it's say!!!! Good golly miss molly!! Enjoy!
      "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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    • Posts: 483
      edited May 2008
      Congrats Hawkeye........ Sheesh I feel myself turning green :eek:
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    • Posts: 14,340
      edited May 2008
      Very nice! Congrats!
      "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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    • Posts: 1,313
      edited May 2008
      I think I finally figured out how to post a picture! Sorry about the focus!

      Gordon
      2 Channel -
      Martin Logan Spire, 2 JL Audio F112 subs
      McIntosh C1000 Controller with Tube pre amp, 2 MC501 amplifiers, MD1K Transport & DAC, MR-88 Tuner
      WireWorld Eclipse 6.0 speaker wire and jumpers, Eclipse 5^2 Squared Balanced IC's. Silver Eclipse PCs (5)
      Symposium Rollerblocks 2+ (16)Black Diamond Racing Mk 3 pits (8)
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    • Posts: 7,900
      edited May 2008
      That's a helluva 2-channel system.
      HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

      "God grooves with tubes."
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    • Posts: 1,313
      edited May 2008
      I'm using Martin Logan Vantage. A very precise and airy speaker. They just came out with a new level called the Spire I wish I bought. Nothing wrong with the Vantage, the Spire has a larger ESL panel and a larger woofer. Can't get them now. Spent all my cash on amps!
      2 Channel -
      Martin Logan Spire, 2 JL Audio F112 subs
      McIntosh C1000 Controller with Tube pre amp, 2 MC501 amplifiers, MD1K Transport & DAC, MR-88 Tuner
      WireWorld Eclipse 6.0 speaker wire and jumpers, Eclipse 5^2 Squared Balanced IC's. Silver Eclipse PCs (5)
      Symposium Rollerblocks 2+ (16)Black Diamond Racing Mk 3 pits (8)
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    • Posts: 1,334
      edited May 2008
      You Bastart!, you spoiled bastart!

      JK, congrats. I'm sick with envy.

      Dave
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    • Posts: 6,146
      edited May 2008
      Congrats. Extremely nice. I have always loved the look of MAC, but never own any. Enjoy.
      Michael ;)
      In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
      NORTH of 60°
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    • Posts: 15,969
      edited May 2008
      There is to be no **** on here! No matter how beautiful, or tasteful it may appear!!!
      Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
      Thanks
      Ben
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    • Posts: 12,096
      edited May 2008
      Congratulations,,, very sweet lookin' gear.:)
      JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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    • Posts: 6,767
      edited May 2008
      Congrats! that's one heavy looking amps...beautiful display.

      Also, noticed that you are a REL guy too. Glad to see another REL fan around here.
      I am sorry, I have no opinion on the matter. I am sure you do. So, don't mind me, I just want to talk audio and pie.
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    • Posts: 1,865
      edited May 2008
      Absolutely beautiful....I love those meters..........absolutely beeeyooooteeeeefullll


      Joe
      Amplifiers: 1-SAE Mark IV, 4-SAE 2400, 1-SAE 2500, 2-SAE 2600, 1-Buttkicker BKA 1000N w/2-tactile transducers. Sources: Sony BDP CX7000es, Sony CX300/CX400/CX450/CX455, SAE 8000 tuner, Akai 4000D R2R, Technics 1100A TT, Epson 8500UB with Carada 100". Speakers:Polk SDA SRS, 3.1TL, FXi5, FXi3, 2-SVS 20-29, Yamaha, SVS center sub. Power:2-Monster HTS3500, Furman M-8D & RR16 Plus. 2-SAE 4000 X-overs, SAE 5000a noise reduction, MSB Link DAC III, MSB Powerbase, Behringer 2496, Monarchy DIP 24/96.
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    • Posts: 720
      edited May 2008
      g-d damn....I got a "semi",just from the pictures
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    • Posts: 11,258
      edited May 2008
      Those are fantastic and way to go. I do love the McIntosh and Martin combo!
      Jake
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    • Posts: 1,313
      edited May 2008
      Thanks for all the nice comments guys. These amps have made a tremendous improvement to my system. This was a major upgrade. I have mixed feelings on small, incremental upgrades depending on what they are. They are burning in and require 40 - 100 hours to open up and settle down. The ML/McIntosh is a good combination for me. I agree with Zero's comment about about the ML's needing a little warmth and bloom. It may not be everybodies cup of tea, but it certainly is for me. I did make a stupid mistake when I hooked them up. I was so stoked, I hooked the left to the right and the right to the left on the back of the preamp. Sat down and played some music. I was real disappointed by the presentation. Violins were not were they were supposed to be, nor the horns. After 2 cd's, I decided something was wrong. That's when I found my mistake. I felt like such an idiot!! Now everything is where it is supposed to be. I should have them in the cabinet today after I try a couple cables I have to try.

      I really like the REL sub. It blends extremely well with the Vantage and goes very deep. It is quite large, like a small dorm fridge. I'm very lucky my wife enjoys listening to music as much as I do.

      Gordon

      I've been sportin all weekend!!
      2 Channel -
      Martin Logan Spire, 2 JL Audio F112 subs
      McIntosh C1000 Controller with Tube pre amp, 2 MC501 amplifiers, MD1K Transport & DAC, MR-88 Tuner
      WireWorld Eclipse 6.0 speaker wire and jumpers, Eclipse 5^2 Squared Balanced IC's. Silver Eclipse PCs (5)
      Symposium Rollerblocks 2+ (16)Black Diamond Racing Mk 3 pits (8)
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    • Posts: 5,102
      edited May 2008
      Hawkeye wrote: »

      I've been sportin all weekend!!

      Sportin what...a woody!!!! :D I would be too if I just picked up a pair of those bad boys!!! :)
      "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up.
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    • Posts: 15,969
      edited May 2008
      reported
      Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
      Thanks
      Ben
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    • Posts: 1,313
      edited June 2008
      No buyers remorse here! I've had these things running over a week at different power levels. Pretty much had them on for background music while doing other things. Yesterday morning I sat down with a cup of joe and thought these cannot be the same amps I bought. I thought they sounded pretty good right of the box but this is something else!

      I liked the overall sound my 352 gave and was at first concerned I would have something completely different I would have to get used to with the 501. Well, it is completely different and I like it! They seem to still have that Mac sound I came to like in the 352 but with alot more.

      The first thing I noticed was the depth and width. I don't how it works or why nor do I care. I just know it is there. Running a close second (maybe a tie) was the seperation and imaging. Instruments are spot on, where they should be and easily located. I felt the 352 was a bit weak in this area.

      I had been running the sub with the 352 because I thought the bass was a bit thin. I'm now reproducing nice tight bass without the sub. I honestly did not think it would make much of a difference since the speakers have amps to drive the woofer. The 501's have brought out multi note bass instead of the blur. I was wrong and am now considering removing the sub.

      The mids were as expected, very smooth yet much more clear and accurate. Piano notes and chords have much more definition. Rim shots and most percussion is more detailed and less smeared than the 352. The highs have smoothed out since day 1 and the fingernail on the chalkboard is pretty much gone. Alto sax has always been right on the edge of making me wince. Not today and hopefully not in the future. The attack and decay of cymbals is pretty darn impressive.

      All in all, I'm very happy with the upgrade.

      Gordon
      2 Channel -
      Martin Logan Spire, 2 JL Audio F112 subs
      McIntosh C1000 Controller with Tube pre amp, 2 MC501 amplifiers, MD1K Transport & DAC, MR-88 Tuner
      WireWorld Eclipse 6.0 speaker wire and jumpers, Eclipse 5^2 Squared Balanced IC's. Silver Eclipse PCs (5)
      Symposium Rollerblocks 2+ (16)Black Diamond Racing Mk 3 pits (8)
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    • Posts: 14,340
      edited June 2008
      Thanks for the update!
      "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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    • Posts: 1,167
      edited June 2008
      Now all you need is a nice pair of Paradigm S8 speakers to bring out the best in those fancy new mono-blocks ;)
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    • Posts: 1,313
      edited June 2008
      Know of any I can get for a deal? How are they working out for you?
      2 Channel -
      Martin Logan Spire, 2 JL Audio F112 subs
      McIntosh C1000 Controller with Tube pre amp, 2 MC501 amplifiers, MD1K Transport & DAC, MR-88 Tuner
      WireWorld Eclipse 6.0 speaker wire and jumpers, Eclipse 5^2 Squared Balanced IC's. Silver Eclipse PCs (5)
      Symposium Rollerblocks 2+ (16)Black Diamond Racing Mk 3 pits (8)
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    • Posts: 14,340
      edited June 2008
      Let me know when you're ready to sell them for some 1201's. :D
      "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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    • Posts: 1,167
      edited June 2008
      How 'bout 4k for the pair? They're working out beautifully. In fact, I divorced my wife and married the S8's (it's legal in Ohio).
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    • Posts: 1,313
      edited June 2008
      Face, your killing me!

      I'm actually considering the MCD/MDA1000 cd rig to replace the cd player and preamp. Not sure if I can get that past the wife at this time.
      2 Channel -
      Martin Logan Spire, 2 JL Audio F112 subs
      McIntosh C1000 Controller with Tube pre amp, 2 MC501 amplifiers, MD1K Transport & DAC, MR-88 Tuner
      WireWorld Eclipse 6.0 speaker wire and jumpers, Eclipse 5^2 Squared Balanced IC's. Silver Eclipse PCs (5)
      Symposium Rollerblocks 2+ (16)Black Diamond Racing Mk 3 pits (8)
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    • Posts: 919
      edited June 2008
      Nice!

      Got a coal-fired power plant in your back yard to run those monsters? :)
      Do you hear that buzzing noise? :confused:
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    • Posts: 1,305
      edited June 2008
      Be sure to burn Lignite in that power plant - cleaner burning than Bituminous or Anthracite.
      [
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    • Posts: 919
      edited June 2008
      ...and inject the carbon emmissions!
      Do you hear that buzzing noise? :confused:
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