An excellent sounding system. It incorporates current and vintage McIntosh technology. I have owned one pair of the ML1s since 1971. Roger Russell hand-wired new crossovers for me last year and I upgraded the upper midrange drivers and tweeters to Roger's recommendations. The ML1/ML10/MQ101 is still one of the best speaker sounds out there. I recently added an XCS350 for the center channel and an MC2255 to drive it.
We can pop 110 dB at clip point. Very impressive on DTS tracks like U571, War of the Worlds and I Robot. A truly great theater system.
Rear Channel Speakers. I just added a second set into the front channel so I could run the MC252 and the MC2255 at 4 ohms per channel.
McIntosh MQ101
Front Channel Equalizer
McIntosh MQ101
Rear Channel Equalizer
McIntosh MPI4 (2)
Maximum Performance Indicator. I now have two in the system. Set for dual-trace, the unit on the left monitors mid frequencies in the front and rear channels. The unit on the right monitors low frequencies in the center and sub channels.
The Bose 901s work very well in center channel. They handle transients nicely and have very high power handling capacity (270 watts each). Plus, I had a pair of these in 1971 and have fond memories of many party nights with them cranked. Sometimes it's the little things ...
When the room is dark ... it is a bit like a spaceship. I just had a 901 Equalizer rebuilt by my friend, Cornell Smith, the Audio Doctor and inserted it into the system. 901s really are good for some applications. There is lots of good McIntosh gear out there. Start small and grow yourself a great system. If I can ever be of help, please let me know.
With all those blue lights, it must be as if you are listening up in the sky. Very nice system indeed. Your use of the 901's as a center channel is a novel idea, and a good one. Few speakers really spread the sound around like the 901's. Having used to have a pair, they were much fun. For years I have dreamed of owning some Mac gear. Glad to see you have made your dreams come true. Happy Listening. Glen
This is a true collection of McIntosh gear, I love it!! Which one of the macs is the best? I too have a 252, and in the comments of my system I've seen you love it. What are the differences between the others?
The Bose 901 makes a GREAT center channel speaker (when properly equalized). Full range and capable of the high transient response required by DTS for example.
I know probably most Mac snobs will look down their nose at the idea. I am a Mac snob, but I go with what works. I am old enough to remember the original 901s. This one is a Series II. A nice speaker for some applications and this is one of them. The speaker is turned with the 8 eight drivers out which provides unique dispersion, much like the 901 used for public address applications. If it fails, I have three more for replacement.
