MC402 vs MC601
The MC601's power @ 8ω is 600W against the MC402's 400W and its power @ 4ω 600W against 400W. Both share signal-to-noise (94 dB) and damping factor (40).
Both turn up in the same documented systems.
AI-generated product photo — not official manufacturer imagery.
The McIntosh MC402 is a legendary 2-channel solid-state power amplifier manufactured from 2002 to 2011 that represents the pinnacle of McIntosh's amplifier engineering. It features an extraordinary quad-differential design consisting of four complete amplifier circuits per channel, whose outputs are combined through McIntosh's exclusive handcrafted Output Autoformer to deliver totally balanced operation from input to speaker output with virtually complete cancellation of noise and distortion. The amplifier is capable of driving any speaker load from 2 to 8 ohms in stereo or 1 to 4 ohms in mono without stress, maintaining full power output regardless of impedance mismatch. The MC402 incorporates McIntosh's patented Power Guard clipping prevention circuit, Sentry Monitor current protection, thermal sensors, DC failure protection, and soft-start inrush protection. Its distinctive 3D glass front panel features illuminated peak-responding wattmeters that display true output power accounting for both voltage and current. The amplifier was awarded The Absolute Sound Editor's Choice Award in 2005 and remains highly sought after in the used market for its sonic transparency and musical accuracy.
Amplification power output and characteristics
Analog signal output specifications
Input and output connections
Size, weight, and appearance
Specifications are community-contributed and may not be accurate or complete. Verify all details with the manufacturer before making purchasing decisions. Terms & Conditions
Estimated price (community-sourced)
Around — community and catalog average, updates slowly
Components that show up alongside the MC402 in real systems. A verdict means the pair has been checked for compatibility and headroom — open it to see how the two get along.
The closest alternatives on specs, description and the systems they turn up in, with the specs they share set side by side.
The MC601's power @ 8ω is 600W against the MC402's 400W and its power @ 4ω 600W against 400W. Both share signal-to-noise (94 dB) and damping factor (40).
Both turn up in the same documented systems.
The MC452's power @ 8ω is 450W against the MC402's 400W, its signal-to-noise 95 dB against 94 dB, and its power @ 4ω 450W against 400W. Both share damping factor (40).
Both turn up in the same documented systems.
The MC1000's power @ 8ω is 1.0kW against the MC402's 400W, its signal-to-noise 85 dB against 94 dB, and its power @ 4ω 1.0kW against 400W. Both share thd (0.005%).
The Cinenova Grande 7 BR's power @ 8ω is 360W against the MC402's 400W, its power @ 4ω 610W against 400W, its signal-to-noise 121 dB against 94 dB, and its thd 0.001% against 0.005%.
Rotel RMB-1587MKII
Krell KSA-300S
The specs and the pairings above are open to everyone. Sign up and you get the system builder, the assistant, a compatibility check against the gear you already own, and a watch on this product so a price or pairing change reaches you.
Sign up free