My RAW & UNCUT Review Of The McIntosh 901 Power Amplifier!

Today i bring you my unbiased, uncut, raw review of the Mcintosh 901 power amplifier. This has been a long time coming and i hope you all enjoy this one because I did it for you!
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#mcintosh
#madeinusa
#american
#poweramplifier
#hifi
#highendaudiophile
#music

[@socratesliriano9852]

Wow Jay. You actually praised Mcintosh, I thought I would never see the day. Awesome!!!

[@user-bs2kw4wr6b]

He's selling them after he uses them . Along with the speaker along with everything in his room !!! LMAO

[@raffiequler7510]

@@user-bs2kw4wr6b Yes, a salesman is a salesman. He is definitely NOT an audio enthusiast, but only a very underhanded salesman.

[@Harrisongrey19]

I remember when jay said mcintosh was midfi

[@markw7303]

Always has been still is

[@Ivy13276]

😂😂 I remember as well

[@MMBLO622]

McIntosh paid very good advertising and promotion fees

[@robjohnson9235]

Yep, he was NOT a fan

[@jaysaudiolab]

@@MMBLO622nope. They haven’t paid me anything.

[@philipketchum1407]

They may not be the best of the best but McIntosh always gets my attention. I love my McIntosh

[@jaycoleman8062]

Me too. 😊

[@jazzlouise]

It's nice to see Mac get some love! They are often bashed.

[@jaysaudiolab]

Indeed

[@reestyfarts]

Coal is bad for the environment.

[@pierregourde326]

Thank you Jay, with so many Macintosh’s bashing on KZbin I was starting to doubt myself regarding my owned Mcintosh purchase. Your review reassured me that this brand delivers great sounding products at the right price.

[@jaysaudiolab]

Glad to help

[@JamesWilliams-gf8gm]

The measurements of their “lowly” MC462 is near perfect in every way. Don’t let anyone tell you different. Some people just require special amps as they are poorly designed speakers…

[@peterfreeman3317]

High praise from a hardcore audiophile. Looks like once you listen and put aside one’s bias you’ll find out why Mac has so many followers and has been around four 75 years! Appreciate the straight forward review.

[@jaysaudiolab]

My pleasure

[@rw3915]

This sounds a paid gig. Nothimg wrong with that and congrats for getting a manufacturer who will pay up.

[@omgwtfpwnd]

To suggest that amplifier sounds different from the other means that one or the other is coloring the signal (or even both). The guiding principle of McIntosh had always been firmly grounded in NO coloration. Coloration is measured as DISTORTION. When a amplifier is spec @ × watts 20-20,000 hz with no more than 1% THD, it either performs to that spec or it does not. Pure and simple. If one performs and sounds different than another, either it's out of spec and needs service or the company is lying about their performance specs! Amplifiers built by Accuphase are made as good and cost FAR less. Where are VAC parts made from? Santa's magic shop in the North Pole? Are their capacitors made of solid gold? The speakers are and should be the only component that changes the sound. And if you want to change it even further, then buy a preamp with tone controls.

[@samleeper8361]

So all amps sound the same?

[@omgwtfpwnd]

@@samleeper8361 Again, when comparing the same class amplifier with the same preamplifier and speaker (class A, AB, D, amplifier) and it is spec @ × watts 20-20,000 hz with no more than 1% THD, it either performs to that spec or it does not. There is no reason it should sound any different. Note: some amplifiers have higher S/N (100+), but CD's dynamic range is only about 90db and Vinyl about 70db, with a far higher noise floor which means there’s noise already present in the recording itself that cannot be filtered out, so if two amplifiers from two brands measure the exact same, then the data being amplified should be 1:1. Like cars, many companies have been able to design amplifiers that are desirable and appear timeless. Amplifiers made with uncommon materials may look prestigious and have a good feeling to them (similarly to driving a freshly washed/waxed sports car- it somehow feels faster and handles better). Some of being an audiophile is emotion, and the rest is science. You need both to enjoy it, but don’t ignore the science or else you’d be lying to yourself.

[@danielgarcia6864]

Jay’s just including me in the list when you had those two monsters on sale was a pleasure shaking hands with you on the last event on Houston eres una super persona

[@brentcollins9727]

I absolutely love my McIntosh MA352 and Sonus Faber Sonetto’s. If I had to buy another system, I’d choose these two brands every time.

[@jaysaudiolab]

Thanks for sharing!

[@craigkeehn4223]

Glad to see they gave you everything you wanted and then some.

[@chewy560]

Excellent presentation and summary! I never thought I'd see the day.

[@jaysaudiolab]

Glad you liked it!

[@janovekalhagen3949]

As an owner of these, I support this review 100%. Both the cons and the pros. I have tried and heard loads of amps, and these really transformed my speakers into something greater than I thought was possible. And my plan to replace my speakers was quickly deleted from my mind. Much of the time we need to listen critically to hear the difference between amps, but with these you will notice the difference on the first tune🙂, Now I just need to figure out how to handle the heat they bring🙂

[@tomclark7551]

Thanks Jay keep em coming

[@jaimeballester840]

They are at my Best Buy high end audio rooms here in West Palm Beach. Simply magnificent!

[@j.m.harris4202]

So much Control used to be Frowned Upon, but in this Case Jay it is Justified! And the Biggest Plus is the Green Glow too!👽💪

[@36karpatoruski]

Finally a 901 product that excels…...

[@770Stephens]

Excellent review Jay. Having owned them for 3 years, I whole-heartedly reinforce all your points. There's even more flexibility to these amps. You can use different taps on each side, e.g. 8ohm for mids/highs and 4ohm for bass. If you want to explore tri-amping them, I have a set of Class D monos with crossover/level and even time delay adjustments I used when I tri-amped my panels with the 901's. I'll send them to you to play if you'd like.

[@geir8849]

Absolutely loved the review. The energy and passion shines through.

[@jaysaudiolab]

Thank you kindly!

[@johnhovanec6240]

Great job jay!!

[@jaysullivan9545]

Good job Jay. I guess Mac has stepped up their game. 👍

[@xsamitt]

Your intro is now legendary! Love it!

[@jaysaudiolab]

Glad you like it!

[@MrRay-nt6vb]

Brilliant, very informative and thoughtful review. Thank-you Jay!

[@jaysaudiolab]

Glad it was helpful!

[@miked91101]

So glad you like the new amps, Jay! i seem to find looking at online retailers that McIntosh seems to give you more bang for the buck esp. with power output compared to say Luxman, Accuphase, and even the high-end Yamaha separates... i really like you can turn off the meter lights, if 1 burns out (like what happened on my Onkyo M504) you can turn the other off...

[@imosolar]

Great KZbin review and more uncut

[@Coolguy-xo3cj]

Great review Jay!!!

[@jaysaudiolab]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@paulsnyder4322]

Great video Jay!😀

[@jaysaudiolab]

Glad you enjoyed

[@reinhard1888]

Great review! Thank you Jay! You are a hero to the high end audio community. I also wish that Magico, Wilson, Zellaton and some others would include the option of bi-amping. What do they have to loose? I am also wondering how these amps or their smaller version, the 451, would work with the Sonus Faber Amati G5, i.e. how much they can make these speakers shine. Another combination that I'd be most curious about is Magico S3 or S5 and NAT Audio's top tube amps. Maybe OCD Mike can lend you his NAT amps... 🙂

[@brown-eyedman4040]

Thanks for sharing. I actually saw the Dead's 'Wall of Sound' at the Cow Palace. You could walk behind the stage there and see stacks of Macs. Way cool.

[@jaysaudiolab]

Oh wow!

[@DBTAudio]

Great content Jay! Thanks for the brief history of the brands.

[@jaysaudiolab]

Glad you like them!

[@gmoney1961]

Nice review Jay!!!

[@jaysaudiolab]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@anthonysmith4449]

Jay, I'm glad you finally brought in a Mac product to review. Bravo!

[@chrisfrank9288]

Nice review, Jay. Thanks.

[@jaysaudiolab]

My pleasure!

[@RC10AE]

Thanks for this Review... Great to see you Testing, Listening and Showcasing Mc gear. Kudos and keep up the Fantastic work and content! Subscribed! 👍

[@jaysaudiolab]

More to come!

[@RC10AE]

@@jaysaudiolab VAMOS! 💪

[@ponch0068]

I love my McIntosh C8 tube preamp and MC830 monoblocks. Entry level stuff but awesome! Jay great job with the channel.

[@jaysaudiolab]

Rock on!

[@InPursuitOfLiberty]

I heard these amps and everything Jay is saying is 💯 AMAZING !

[@jaysaudiolab]

Thanks

[@stevenburdick424]

Love the Amps. Built in the good old USA 🇺🇸

[@adsph]

Very impressive gear. Thank you for sharing.

[@jaysaudiolab]

Thanks for watching!

[@jamescease4280]

Great review, Jay. I have loved Mcintosh since the 70's. They have really upped their game the last 10 years. Please be careful to lift and move them properly. You only have one back. Love your channel.😊

[@jaysaudiolab]

Thanks, will do!

[@sophieyip]

Great review Jay .Thanks a lot....

[@PBlaik]

Your system is top tier, I have Amati G5's and the baby brother MC451 hybrid mono blocks. Same feature set, same crazy weight (143lbs), same great sound just half the power. I love how they work with the Amati's biamped. Can't imagine how insane your set up must sound!!

[@jaysaudiolab]

Thanks for sharing

[@johnshaw359]

Good to see you've discovered EQ.

[@audiorick841]

Awesome review. I am sure this was a heavy duty effort to set up… Thanks Jay.

[@jaysaudiolab]

Yes it was!

[@cdgerhart]

Funny it was a couple of years ago you said Mcintosh was mid-fi. Nice to see you can change you mind and on amps that are only $38k which is cheap for you.

[@jaysaudiolab]

If something is good, I’ll say it regardless of price

[@billrobertson2437]

Jay, you often talk about system synergy. You have the MC901s paired with the Sonus Faber, which are from the same family. I highly recommend that you try the C12000 preamp to complete the set up. Although I have never heard the preamps that you are now using, I suspect the C12000 will give your system complete synergy. Would love to hear your comments on that set up. I have the 901s paired with the Sonus Faber Aidas and the C1100 preamp (which is the predecessor to the C12000) and LOVE the sound. I am curious about other amps and speakers, but I am so in love with this sound, that I am afraid to try anything else. I enjoy the channel. Thanks

[@joz411no8]

Jay, thanks for your constructive and detailed take.

[@jaysaudiolab]

You bet!

[@willofomphalosgroomslll]

Thanks Jay 💯👍🏾

[@jaysaudiolab]

You bet

[@robvandendolder3157]

I’m going to echo the person who commented before me. My first thought exactly. Praising McIntosh this highly. Wow Jay. Impressive. Good detailed review by the way. We own the 1.25kws. The 901s were a bit out of reach at the time plus not many reviews. Thank you for that informative review 👍😎 Cheers

[@jaysaudiolab]

Thank you for watching

[@user-nf4ob5rq4o]

McIntosh is a good match amp for SF speakers. Period.😊

[@flashzoe]

Jay,🤩 you had to eat your words. Great video

[@ALBEVA]

Thank you, Jay, for your honest review. I can see that this amplifier is excellent, but its flaws are just unacceptable to me. This is the best review I've seen.

[@jaysaudiolab]

My pleasure!

[@gme10955]

Did I hear that right, $38,000 for the pair?! That's insane for what you get in terms of musicality, raw power, and flexibility.

[@jaysaudiolab]

Agreed

[@perfectsoundpursuit007]

Yes, in high-end world, this beauty have a very good price! I think is the best quality / price. After your review.. Very good review! BR

[@ZenualAbdinKhanPathan]

Thanks

[@snomofilms]

Jay’s come full circle on Mac lol 😂

[@jaysaudiolab]

I tell it like it is…

[@Mark-lq3sb]

Enjoyed your review Jay. Very informative, and you're absolutely correct when you talked about the price. I read every comment (197 at this point.) and I think this is the first time the majority of commenters were pro McIntosh. Only a small handful were brave enough to comment negatively, and most of those were only brave enough to reply to a negative comment.

[@jaysaudiolab]

Thanks for sharing!

[@cesargutierrez4999]

Good job jay

[@jaysaudiolab]

Thanks

[@Scott-px6mi]

I wasn't expecting you to say what you said about those 901s. But I'm glad you did. Thanks J. PMC Fact 12 speakers will go great with these amps.!

[@jaysaudiolab]

You bet

[@svenveader7755]

I just got the 451s 4 kef blade one meta.. Killer amps

[@alpro3714]

glad that the combo sounds great. Would love to hear your thoughts regarding your new Combo Sonus Fiber - McIntosh vs the old one Gryphon- Wilson. I remember a few video where your guests commented on the brightness of the highs and that you much preferred vinyls than your digital gear. Still feel the same? Do you feel that you lost details (tubes are warm but often not as revealing). I know you are not a fan of classical orchestra but have you listened to complex orchestral music (like Hans Zimmer, or James Horner movie Soundtracks?)

[@dominiqueverdoodt6183]

Thx for the great review! I think if u run 2 pairs of xlr cables from preamp to these amps, you bypass the crossover in the amp, but each amp section then gets the full input signal to amplify instead of just part of the frequency range, so each section has to work harder and the filters in the speakers also get the full signal to filter out… The manual should explain it I assume?

[@alialamri8525]

Hello Jay, would you recommend me to best amplifiers that under 10k with the top dynamics, a lot of amps have superb details and controls base, but dynamic to me is most important feature... Thank you ❤

[@steve6465]

Great honest review, Jay. Thanks for all the work you do 👏🏻

[@jaysaudiolab]

My pleasure!

[@markpommett5712]

This channel keeps getting better. Seriously, McIntosh amps are the cream of the crop.

[@jaysaudiolab]

Thank you

[@johnkal8403]

I have always liked McIntosh, no matter the bashing. Well done once again Jay!

[@jaysaudiolab]

Thanks

[@gil3green]

Nice review. First I always felt those amps may be a gimmick & under perform. Second when amp shopping, I ended up with a Mac. Chasing these obscure brands I couldn’t see the forest for the trees and I love my Mac, great sound & value. No problems ever, but can get repaired locally. MC462

[@epg2501]

Stunningly beautiful amps to look at, even compared to the others. Love the meters too. Maybe if I could bi-amp my Maggies lol:) Price not too bad either considering what they are!

[@phatjbl]

Mac is always a product you can resell. Also they have a way of smoothing over harsh compressed music. Like you say quite musical. I know this is ridiculous but $38000 for its not mega bucks today. Even more really. Glad the damping factor is there too. Good review Jay.

[@geminijinxies7258]

Nice review! Are there any sound clips posted so we can hear how they perform?

[@jaysaudiolab]

Soon

[@silviosarunic6709]

thank you Jay for your efforts and energy and time to create this content. Great video Jay! Greetings from Croatia :-)

[@jaysaudiolab]

I appreciate that!

[@RickP2040]

And the Best Kept Secret are the All new Apurna TM APOGEE Mono Block Amps from France ! Best Of The Best...Please Review these next Jay

[@TheRollorokka]

Great review! Damn those SE17's look commanding. =O

[@jaysaudiolab]

They are !

[@pennfootball71]

You can order Rockport technologies bi amped as an option btw. The Lynx would be perfect for your medium sized room ;)

[@AndreyPopov-nt3ti]

Please, could you answer me, what are those metal discs located on the tops of your equipment? Thanks.

[@dougg1075]

Impressive, most impressive

[@MegaPete]

Just got a 845 tube amp bro from 3ma in Houston to me in London Canada bro let's gooo

[@tausha46]

great review thanks what is the size of your room

[@SUFCDave51]

I have been critical of your channel in the past as the suitability of equipment appeared to be based on the price tag. In addition, historically, you have placed the McIntosh brand in the mid-fi range. Absolutely delighted that you have taken a serious look and LISTEN to the MC901's and given them (and McIntosh) the credit that they deserve. You have come of age and have earned my respect, so much so that I have subscribed to your channel and liked this review. Keep up the good work Jay ! Peace and respect from the UK.

[@jaysaudiolab]

Thanks 🙏

[@omgwtfpwnd]

To suggest that amplifier sounds different from the other means that one or the other is coloring the signal (or even both). The guiding principle of McIntosh had always been firmly grounded in NO coloration. Coloration is measured as DISTORTION. When a amplifier is spec @ × watts 20-20,000 hz with no more than 1% THD, it either performs to that spec or it does not. Pure and simple. If one performs and sounds different than another, either it's out of spec and needs service or the company is lying about their performance specs! Amplifiers built by Accuphase are made as good and cost FAR less. Where are VAC parts made from? Santa's magic shop in the North Pole? Are their capacitors made of solid gold? The speakers are and should be the only component that changes the sound. And if you want to change it even further, then buy a preamp with tone controls.

[@SUFCDave51]

@@omgwtfpwnd I'm in agreement with your comments and have often wondered why equivalent equipment is so expensive. I'd say there are 2 reasons: 1. Economies of scale for the number of units McIntosh will produce compared with VAC etc. 2. Many manufacturers appear to pitch the price at what the customer is prepared to pay rather than what the stuff is worth. McIntosh has been around for 75 years because they produce high quality stuff at a fair price. I wonder how many suppliers of stratospherically priced equipment will survive as long .....

[@sidvicious3129]

Jay, the icing on the cake if you can do this. Is to have an interview with someone at McIntosh and / or do a tour of the facility.

[@jaysaudiolab]

Working on it 😮

[@jaydries]

Jay, lmk if you head to Binghamton, I'd love to meet you. You can check out audio classics in Vestal, they have a little McIntosh "museum" in store.

[@idianmansjur2673]

i wonder if we can connect directly to the mid and high binding post on the wilson speakers instead of the usual binding post at the bottom

[@jaysaudiolab]

Nope

[@dastarcrunch5971]

I'm new to the home audio. Do you need amps that big or could you power the same speakers with something smaller like McIntosh MA12000

[@jaysaudiolab]

Nothing replaces massive amps. Go big or go home

[@frankmarek9921]

Jay nice power amp,how many speakers can up hook up on amp,i have a pair of polk audio tsi 300.frank in Oswego,ill

[@royli3260]

Nice review. It seems the very scale of "real estate" would make this impractical for your average UK home. Nevertheless, it doesn't stop one dreaming. I have enjoyed this review immensely - thank you sir.

[@jaysaudiolab]

Thank you 🙏

[@capezyo]

Amazing monsters....

[@CarlVanDoren61]

Best Buy gotta a Boost Today 😮

[@petekutheis3822]

Yes I always knew that diff tubes with McIntosh is pointless---but the Sophie Electric Blue KT88s sure are purdy..haha

[@johngutmanis3580]

Years ago when I compared my Marantz 2235 to a McIntosh c41 using the Marantz amp section, I was impressed on how much more detail I got with the c41. Then I stepped up to my c50, wow leaps and bounds better. McIntosh makes too many products that are good quality but nothing to write home about. But to me, amps and preamps are their strong suit! I will never buy 901’s, I own an mc352, which I love, but I am happy to hear the 901 is a great amp, I will be replacing my Carver Crimson 275 with an mc275 in the near future. And I will be bi amping my La Scala’s using a custom adjustable active preamp. Good review, you earned my subscription!

[@sdgtech2]

Stamp of approval day Enjoy!

[@jaimeballester840]

Long haul at Jay's is about two months. 😂

[@jaysaudiolab]

Indeed

[@jaimeballester840]

Long term for the past few years, I believe was the Halo monos, but I can easily be mistaken. There have been so many wonderful amps (not to mention all other components) that I'm confused.

[@jaimeballester840]

...or maybe that Griffin tower - I forgot the model number...

[@jaimeballester840]

GRYPHON... dang spell check

[@chasehatton3691]

Anyone else feel Jay is absolutely smitten with the Mcintosh 901's ?......When he says "for the long haul "......they must be pretty darn good.

[@jaysaudiolab]

They are pretty F@@@ing good.

[@roberthoffecker7223]

Jay, have you tried tri-amping with the MSB S500 and the Macs?

[@jaysaudiolab]

Nope

[@mikelautermilch8939]

Jay, how do they compare to the flagship Gryphon and Boulder?

[@jaysaudiolab]

Too long to comment here.

[@ronmurphy4234]

Your Sonus Faber speakers look familiar, did you by chance buy them from Adrian at Audio Excellence?

[@jaysaudiolab]

Nah

[@AllboroLCD]

Im just a couple hours from the Mac headquarters, I need to do a tour this summer finally!

[@jaysaudiolab]

Let me know!

[@tomdebeck8150]

Tube amp & solid state amp in 1? I didn't know that. Are they the first/only brand that does this?

[@jaysaudiolab]

No idea

[@talahoma]

Googling and asking Perplexity only brings up hybrids with a tube preamp and an SS power amp but no other power amp with the 901‘ topology. It may well be the only such beast ever made.

[@perfectsoundpursuit007]

But, how is the 3d stage? Because amolifiers ( Systems) with vwey good musicality, not have a very good ( in space) 3d stage.. How is it with this monsters? BR

[@ridirefain6606]

Nice review. I often feel that McIntosh delivers some of the best sound for the money, not all the time of course. They have products that for me are certainly a hard pass. However, as you go up the line in their 2-channell world... I find many bang for the buck products. Caveat being if you do not enjoy the McIntosh house sound, they are not the product for you.

[@glenncurry3041]

Output transformer based amps (tubes) do Power matching rather than constant voltage high current of direct connected amps. Best power transfer happens when the source and load are the same impedance. Thus best control of the speakers by the amp. By using a different source impedance, different tap, you reduce that power transfer and reduce control. Think Damping Factor.

[@jaysaudiolab]

Thanks for the info

[@glenncurry3041]

@@jaysaudiolab Trying to keep you on track! The math behind power transfer is very interesting. At least for us math geeks!

[@user-vd1un4xr4j]

I think you have taken at least two steps back in your audiophile adventure. In my opinion, Wilson Audio Chronosonic XVX and Gryphon Apex Stereo plus Commander best ever system you owned, but aside of this, DCS Vivaldi stack was still missing. Undoubtedly, the weakest link is your listening room and its acoustic treatment. The equipment you present, requires much better housing conditions.

[@glenncurry3041]

So much for Gryphon eh?

[@rickg8015]

I wish you had photos of the innards.. Thanks.

[@airlato74]

If I were American I would be as proud of the Mcintosh as we Italians are of Ferrari, sorry for my English greetings from Italy