Hey everyone,

First post here on AudioKarma. I have been a McIntosh fan since the first time i heard a friend's McIntosh system 15 yrs ago. I have finally gotten to the point in life where i am able to afford some Mac gear for the house.

I recently picked up a set of Paradigm Studio 100 v.4's. They were demoed them on some normal solid state gear and on a Mac system. I was completely blown away by the MC402 that I demoed them on. The speakers still sound really great at home on my NAD gear but i cant get the sound of that Mac gear out of my head!

My budget doesnt really allow for a MC402 at this point so i have been looking on A-gon & A-classics at MC352 and MC252. My question comes down to sound quality between the two amps. Is there a difference? I'm not sure I need the extra watts because I don't really listen too loudly. So what i am looking for is the most natural sounding presentation possible.

I listen to a variety of music but mainly acoustic rock & some jazz.

Is there a sound quality differenc between these two amps?

thanks in advance,

Scott

Welcome Scott :)

I have never directly compared the MC252 and MC352 but I would expect them to sound very similar. I did directly compare the MC252 and MC402. In my system at that time (C2200 + Avalon Eclipse speakers) the MC402 and MC252 sounded almost identical. I actually thought the MC252 sounded slightly better in my system, there was just a tiny bit more detail with the MC252.

Actually if I were you I would upgrade your preamp first. When I started upgrading my system about 5 years ago I was using a NAD preamp and an old Kenwood amp from the 1970s. I upgraded to the McIntosh C2200 preamp and the improvements in sound were HUGE. The preamp made a MUCH bigger improvement in my system over the amp upgrades. For the same price as a used MC252 or MC352 you should be able to get a C2200 or C220 (tube preamp), C42 or C45 (solid state preamp).

I love my 252. You can't go wrong with either, so get the best deal.

Either way, have fun!!!!

Hi, and welcome!

I owned a 252 for 4 years, until just a few days ago when I did a 501 upgrade. The 252 is a great amp. I believe the 352 was the first of the "quad balanced", or fully balanced designs; which is regarded as a notable step forward in the later generation MAC amps. I can't vouch for how the two amps would stack up side by side sonically, and it's been said here that the 252 and 402 (which IS a fully balanced design, whereas the 252 is not) sound very similar. With that said, here are a few things to consider:

MC352: more power (350 watts/channel)
MC352: Beautiful styling, though not the latest "3D" panel front panel design
MC352: Incandescant panel illumination (periodic lamp replacements required)

Note: I believe I've read here that there is an LED light kit available for the 352. Contact Audio Classics for confirmation and details.

MC252: Slightly less power (250 watts/channel)
MC252: The very latest "modern" MAC styling, with "3D" front panel
glass design

MC252: Ultra long life, Fiber optic LED panel illumination design.

Both are great amps, you really can't go wrong either way...it just depends on your priorities.

I hope this helps....good luck!

Peter

Thanks Peter for the rundown of the 2 amps.....:thmbsp:

I own a 352 and love it. 105 lbs of awesome sound.

An excellent amp. There is a LED kit available.

Click the link for audio classics - I think they have them in stock.

mc252 owner here, excellent amp !!

For a great look at the 252, check out Alberto's Youtube review:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpJq7hGmcA8

mc252 owner here, excellent amp !!

Big plus 1!!

Hi Scott,

Welcome to AK.

Vintage Pete has given you a very good rundown and summary of both amps - excellent job Pete. I can only speak for the MC252 since I haven't owned, or heard the 352...

I think the MC252 is a fabulous amp. Even though I aspire to MC501s someday, the MC252 has lived in my system and provided me with lots of enjoyment for almost 2 years (the longest I've owned any amp - by a long shot).

Since buying the MC252, I've upgraded CD player, DAC, and speakers but the MC252 is still holding its own VERY well.

As others have said. You can't go wrong with either one and I'd go with the one that comes with the best deal...

Alberto

P.S. Thanks Atl Buckeye for posting a link to my review.

Hello Scott and welcome. I too own the MC 252 and have to agree with the others that it is an excellent amp and should have no problem driving your speakers. I originally used my 252 to power my center speaker in my main system, but recently moved it to my downstairs system and now I have to debate on which system to listen to music on. It really is a fantastic amp!

:pawprint:

Here is a Brochure for both

http://www.audioclassics.com/brochure/MC352.pdf

http://www.audioclassics.com/brochure/MC252.pdf

Wow. Thanks to everyone for chiming in! This is an amazingly helpful web forum.

I went back to my local shop this weekend and it turns out that i was mistaken and I actually demoed the speakers on the MC252 not the MC402. I was so focused on the speakers the last time I was there that I guess i just misjudged the amp.

I am leaning more and more towards the MC252.

Can anyone explain the advantages of the quad-balanced design in the MC352 / MC402 over the standard balanced design of the MC252?

Maybe someone like Ron C, or Terry D, or Ryan from AC could explain the difference in a technical manner.

Overall I think it is all about eliminating distortion.

Overall I think it is all about eliminating distortion.

That's basically the bottom line. McIntosh explains that there are two separate amplifier circuits, (two in each channel, hence the term "quad-differential) each a "mirror image" of the other, whose outputs are combined in the output autoformer. This is said to cancel virtually all forms of distortion.

Beyond that, Someone like Ron C. or Ryan will have to explain.

Pete

Thanks Pete,

That makes sense and when you look at the S/N Ratios it becomes quite evident.

110dB - MC252
124dB - MC352

Basically the Quad Balancing cancels noise from the inputs to the speaker outputs. This is done with special windings of the auto transformer and some inverting on the amplifier section.

Now come on out, take a tour at McIntosh and we will show you how it is done!


:thmbsp: