You’re right about Mac amps being sought after in the past. I don’t know about the preamp history but this hybrid had me interested for the tube front end. Without autoformers made amp kind of a different animal. I just decided there was more certainty with Pass once I got over the tube thing. I still think I’d have been happy with the Mac and didn’t want the extra features. I’ll also admit to being someone ready to turn off the tube LEDs. Meters ok, but real tube glow is special IMO.
Mac MA 352 vs Pass INT-60
I've had an order in for the Mac MA 352 for 3 months and supposedly it's coming shortly. I wanted the tube front end but now I've got an option since I no longer think I need a balance control and I just found a really good deal for a new Pass INT-60. I'm running these, hopefully, into KEF R7 Metas at 88 dB. I figure the Pass is adequate into those 4 ohm speakers in my 25x14 space. I also figure the Pass has as much tube-like quality with likely a better high end than the Mac. If price is not a factor, what do you think? The Pass is a beast, but I can deal with that, and my first real amp was a Threshold 400A. I have some worry about current delays in Mac serviceability also. :)
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If you change out the stock tunes to pvane horizon, the mac 352 will sound significantly better. As far as pass coloring sound, my pass 250 does not color the sound anymore than my Mac, Accuphase, Hegal. They all have a slightly different presentation. During my amp, rotation there are times when I feel my other amps sound just as nice as my pass until I put my pass back in rotation. The Pass does, it the best. The pass 60 is darker sounding than the 250. |
@howardlee I’m jealous of the price you paid for a new INT-60
I’ve been toying with the idea of replacing my McIntosh MA-252 with an INT-60. I was worried about going down in power as my speakers are power hungry ATC SCM19v2. It doesn’t seem like this should be something I worry about based on what I'm reading in this thread.
Why I’m reviving this thread is to hear how the soundstage is with the INT-60. When I "simplified" my system and moved away from some Merrill amps I had and went to the MA-252, the soundstage width definitely shrunk. Depth seemed to be the same or slightly better but the width came in quite a bit with no other changes to my system. I’m curious what you are experiencing (or other forum members such as @dwest1023 and others). |
@howardlee You will have many fanboy biases for either brand. IMO you would be better off upgrading to a MAC MA 12000 and not have any concerns regarding power or dynamic headroom. |
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