Need help with New MC501 Amps on 802D's

[Glenee]

Got new MC-501's today. When I got them to playing I noticed the Bass was not as tight or firm as It was with the Crown K2's It's as if it's a little sloppier. The only thing I changed was the amps. Does this get better with time ? I am running them on the 4ohm taps as recommended by so many on this forum and others.
Thanks,
Glenee

[jericho]

This should get better on time, however I added a few asw855 because I think the 802D has lack of bass

[DM3000 Owner]

The Crown K Amps have a dampening factor of 3000 at low frequencies (below 400hz).

Is the McIntosh broken in yet?

[misterdoggy]

Im using 501's with 802D's and the bass is nice. You might have a period of adjustment in sound.

Not saying that the Crowns weren't better or worse but you may be experiencing lack of coloration, or just a different sound than before. If the 501's aren't broken in yet, they will change.

For me they make a nice combo. I found the choice of cables to be a VERY important factor with this combo. You can PM me if you would like to know which cables I use.

[Glenee]

I just got"em brand new out of the box. I was hoping you guys would say they need to just break in, I was a little worried that I had spent all that money for nothing better. How long should the break-in take ?
Thanks,
Glenee ;x(

[DM3000 Owner]

I just got"em brand new out of the box. I was hoping you guys would say they need to just break in, I was a little worried that I had spent all that money for nothing better. How long should the break-in take ?
Thanks,
Glenee ;x(

Are the Crowns for sale? Please send me an email.

Thamks,

Chris

[dmccombs]

Are the 501s for sale? Please send me an email. :rofl:

Thanks,

Darrell

I just got"em brand new out of the box. I was hoping you guys would say they need to just break in, I was a little worried that I had spent all that money for nothing better. How long should the break-in take ?
Thanks,
Glenee ;x(

[DelRay]

Congrats on the new Mac amps. ;x( Must be sweet. Maybe the 8 ohm tap will control the bass a little. Sorry I couldn't be more helpfull. :B

[Briz vegas]

This should get better on time, however I added a few asw855 because I think the 802D has lack of bass

Well that just serves you right then. Penny pinching by going for the whimpy 802D instead of the 801D.

By the way how long have you been the secret 5th member of metallica :-y :-y ;b> .

Hang on a minute, is that an earthquake? .......Nope, jericho's got his system cranked up to 11 again :E :bluezoned: oke:

[DM3000 Owner]

Well that just serves you right then. Penny pinching by going for the whimpy 802D instead of the 801D.

By the way how long have you been the secret 5th member of metallica :-y :-y ;b> .

Hang on a minute, is that an earthquake? .......Nope, jericho's got his system cranked up to 11 again :E :bluezoned: oke:

I know that you are kidding but I have N801's and a general lack of bass. I added a JL Audio F113 and it really balanced out. My room is the factor. It is about 19' x 50'. I don't listen at loud volumes and still needed the subwoofer.

[yannparis]

The crown K2 is a class D amplifer no?

[vlasis]

Dear Glenee you need more than 200 hours for break in to really enjoy 501s.Dont be afraid for the result...........................Just wait ...... :T :T :T :T :T :T :T and you will see!!!!!!!

[Glenee]

The crown K2 is a class D amplifer no?

All I know is that they are a very good amp. If you can lay your hands on a nice one. The verdict is still out on 501's. I am not one to be swayed bye hype. I will give these Mac's plenty of time. Let's just say they may have run into some very stiff and I mean stiff competition. But we will have to wait and see.
But I won't lie or decieve with my verdict it will be straight forward. I wish that everyone in this buisness was that way. But I don't make my living at it, and I don't have to continually stir the pot. Facts are Facts to me. I have not gotten rid of the K2's. I will keep them until the MC501's get at least 200 hours on them. I will then just take a quiet 2weeks of half days on the K2's and then half days on the MC501's on the same equipment and SPL the same. Should be a fair test by anyones standards. So it is not going to be a test of my ears getting used to the difference. Straight out ONE on ONE.
Love the Music,
Glenee : :W

[DM3000 Owner]

All I know is that they are a very good amp. If you can lay your hands on a nice one. The verdict is still out on 501's. I am not one to be swayed bye hype. I will give these Mac's plenty of time. Let's just say they may have run into some very stiff and I mean stiff competition. But we will have to wait and see.
But I won't lie or decieve with my verdict it will be straight forward. I wish that everyone in this buisness was that way. But I don't make my living at it, and I don't have to continually stir the pot. Facts are Facts to me. I have not gotten rid of the K2's. I will keep them until the MC501's get at least 200 hours on them. I will then just take a quiet 2weeks of half days on the K2's and then half days on the MC501's on the same equipment and SPL the same. Should be a fair test by anyones standards. So it is not going to be a test of my ears getting used to the difference. Straight out ONE on ONE.
Love the Music,
Glenee : :W

I believe that the Crown is a Class D amp.

I will be watching this very closely.

The fact that the McIntosh did not blow away the Crown right out of the gate says a lot for it. I have a QSC PLX amp that is just outstanding. These higher end pro amps with their low price tags are huge audio bargains. :T

[Aldo]

15 years ago I had 4 crowns running (3) 18" cerwin vega subwoofers a pair of Bose 801 and some JBL's as rears.
Beleive me there is nothing to compare between a MC and Crown, you need the learn to LISTEN, I know that because I was where!
More than a break in period I beleive we need a learning period!
It took me a while when I got my first 800's and a 700cx Krell to really apreciate it's sound, lets say my ears and brain were damaged! :B :B :B

QSC's and Crown amps IMO are for professional purposes!
By the way The crowns I had have noise fans!

[misterdoggy]

15 years ago I had 4 crowns running (3) 18" cerwin vega subwoofers a pair of Bose 801 and some JBL's as rears.
Beleive me there is nothing to compare between a MC and Crown, you need the learn to LISTEN, I know that because I was where!
More than a break in period I beleive we need a learning period!
It took me a while when I got my first 800's and a 700cx Krell to really apreciate it's sound, lets say my ears and brain were damaged! :B :B :B

QSC's and Crown amps IMO are for professional purposes!
By the way The crowns I had have noise fans!

I agree with Aldo.

There really shouldn't be a comparison here. The 501's have been compared and listened to by all the magazines and reviewers and have won award after award. There is no possibility that the 501's could disappoint

However, there more a possibility that we might get used to a "colored" sound. Coloration meaning changing to enhance. What an Amp might not deliver in one area, gets improvements with little tweaks.

I had said earlier that I thought is was more a getting used to a sound, rather than the amp not performing. After you live with the 501's for a few weeks and I'm not talking about break in, but EarAdaption to a new sound, then go back and it surely will be the Crown that will be the disappointment IMHO.

[Amarkus1]

I agree in giving it some time. Just in the last few weeks did I really began to appreciate and enjoy my 501's. I have had them for close to a month now and like you I was very underwhelmed in the beginning. I was coming from Krell so at first the 501's seemed uninspiring. I guess I was so used to a bright sound that the macs seemed so soft. But after week two I slowly began to appreciate the sound. I guess as a result of both break-in and the ears adapting to the new sound. It seemed to become so welcoming and joyful to listen. After a long session my ears are not feeling fatigued. Now I can't listen to something that does not have a nice rich and warm feeling. This week I upgraded my Krell CD to a Ayre C-5xe:T Ah more warmth and improvement in sound. Fortunately with this unit I found the sound wonderful from the get go, but can't wait to hear how awesome it will be once broken in. Next I will probably be adding an Aesthetix Calypso for 2-Ch to reach my nirvana......for the time being.

Anyway moral of the story.....give it time, you will enjoy them!

[RebelMan]

Got new MC-501's today. When I got them to playing I noticed the Bass was not as tight or firm as It was with the Crown K2's It's as if it's a little sloppier. The only thing I changed was the amps. Does this get better with time ?

Hey Glenee, what you discribed could also be a faulty connection. If you haven't already done so physically (not visually) double check the seating and the polarity on each end (amp side and speaker side). It's possible something is loose or miswired. I've seen it happen many times before including myself. Just a thought.

[Glenee]

Thanks everybody believe me when I say I'm trying. Thanks RebelMan that will be the next thing I check . I have some cardas spades on the amp and some WBT Banana's on the speaker end. I may try and go to some Nordost Z Plugs on both ends. My MCD 201 gets back from MacIntosh repair next week I HOPE. I had just bought it on a change out of a MVP861 that wasn't working right. Then the MCD201 went quirky and the dealer did not have another one in stock. Time, Time, Time is on My Side Oh yes it is! :Z
Glenee

[yannparis]

I do not think that there is a concern with the Mc.

The bass performance of good Class D amps is incredible. Controlled, powerfull, tight, commanding bass.
This is mainly du to the fact that there is no phase shift and that these amps have a very good capacity to control the energy returned by the loudspeaker.

This is not a free lunch. The treble is generaly coloured and has a low resolution.

To match the bass of a good Class D amps, you need amplifier like Krell Class A or Halcro.


REgards,

Yann, Paris - France