...was wondering, all things equal (associated inputs and speakers), what the difference in sound would be bewteen 501's and 1201's. I know there are a few lucky ones here that have either owned both, or had the opportunity to audition these properly under the same conditions.

Just looking to benefit from your subjective opinions!

Thanks

Matt

It depends on what speaker system your driving,my xrt 22's thrive on the 1201's but my jbl's sounded better on the 501's,i auditioned both in my home, being that the line arrays are my prefered speaker to listen to i bought the 1201's,i will say that if my every day speaker was the jbl l-250 ti's i'd have bought the 501's.

Im not sure its possible to nail down the differences you will hear because in my experience it depends on the speaker.

It depends on what speaker system your driving,my xrt 22's thrive on the 1201's but my jbl's sounded better on the 501's,i auditioned both in my home, being that the line arrays are my prefered speaker to listen to i bought the 1201's,i will say that if my every day speaker was the jbl l-250 ti's i'd have bought the 501's.

Im not sure its possible to nail down the differences you will hear because in my experience it depends on the speaker.


That's the insanity of it, if you have the golden ear, you will here the difference.

That's the insanity of it, if you have the golden ear, you will here the difference.Not sure I have a "golden ear", maybe silver, maybe bronze but I did hear a difference. The 1201s were a little leaner through the midrange and a touch more aggressive up top in the same system. Then again the 501s were like that straight out of the box before they fully broke in. Could have been brand new 1201s too, I didn't ask at the time. You can read Stereophile reviews on both though, FWIW.

Not sure I have a "golden ear", maybe silver, maybe bronze but I did hear a difference. The 1201s were a little leaner through the midrange and a touch more aggressive up top in the same system. Then again the 501s were like that straight out of the box before they fully broke in. Could have been brand new 1201s too, I didn't ask at the time. You can read Stereophile reviews on both though, FWIW.

I read the Stereophile review last year on the 1201's and remember it being an American balls out, high performance amp, comparing it to a Harley.

My personal opinion is; anything the 501 can do, the 1201 can do it better. I have compared both Amps on JBL, Aerial, Wilson & Mac XRT30 & XRT2K's.

My personal opinion is; anything the 501 can do, the 1201 can do it better. I have compared both Amps on JBL, Aerial, Wilson & Mac XRT30 & XRT2K's.

I second Ivan's statement on Wilson (only for WP7) - as that was where the MC501's vs MC1201's happened. Well, its indeed the case of what the MC501's can do, the MC1201's just did better, in all aspects.

As for XRT30's, well, no comparison cause I dont have the MC501's when I bought these in replacement for the WP7. Using an "olden English analogy for comparison" - and this applies only for the XRT30's, I can safely say, 1 pair of MC1201's - Great performance! 2 pairs of MC1201's - Greater (and I am already like in hifi nirvana!) :music:

Well 3 pairs? I am working on it!:D

Cheers!:banana:

That's the insanity of it, if you have the golden ear, you will here the difference.

Those without "the golden ear" & cant hear differences should consider their self lucky,any old amp or receiver from Best Buy will sound great.