DaWoofer
Super Member
On the day that my Dyna FM3 arrives (still not unboxed) I go by my favorite vintage and new stereo store which is named, “Audio Exchange.” This place is a treasure trove for people like us. From used McIntosh and Accustats to the newest of McIntosh and B&W. They carry many used tape decks, preamps, turntables and even a Keith Monks record cleaner. The bad news is their going out of business with one week left and I’m about as broke as you can get.
So I go in looking for that beautiful receiver that I’ve been dreaming about ever since I saw it, a Sansui G-801 in museum quality shape just to see what the price is on it. You see, I never asked because it was out of my league as far as cost wise. I go in and it’s gone. I ask the owner of the store what happened to it and he said it sold on that auction site yesterday to a gentleman in Hammond, IN. I hoping it was someone from our site but that is yet to be determined. I told him I new it was out of my league so he asked me what I thought it was worth as far as what the auction site would bring. I told him it would be at least $650 to $700 and he says “Nope, $350.” I was shocked to say the least and told him so and he said, “I hear ya, so am I.” I told him I would have easily paid that price and I’m still a little disheartened over that news.
Well anyway, back to the McIntosh. I was looking at a McCormack Preamp, it is the one that is passive or active but we wasn’t sure if it had the phono circuit board in it so I passed and was looking at some Fishers like the 700 and a Bogen. I just had to buy something at this going out of business store even if I can’t afford it. So way on the other side of the room here sets the Mac. No cover but the antenna wire is hooked up so I ask about it. He tells me that he was trying to find out what the problem was because all the tubes light up and the signal meter works. He said one or two of the tubes were microphonic while throwing in the quip about how he had thought there “goes the tweeters.” So he says, “Make me an offer.” Ya see I don’t know what model it is or anything about its worth and say $25”, hoping for some out of touch hope he would go for it. I was wrong and said, “Alright $45.” He looks at the ceiling and said, “ Come on, I got more into it never mind all those tubes in there, I’ll check in my paperwork and see what bottom line is on it.” Well, he says, “$125 is all I can do.” I pause and tell him, “I don’t have that cash on me.” He says, “Put it on layaway.” So that is what I decided to do but at the last minute I put it on the credit card to get it over with.
You know, I don’t know what this thing is worth or if it sounds good or even if it is stereo or not. And I really don’t need people telling me how I got ripped off on it or that it’s junk because I don’t care. I plan on fixing whatever is wrong with it and that is that. It is my first Mac and you know what, I’m learning while doing it. Here is something else this purchase does for me. There is no doubt about it now, I’m a McIntosh owner and there is only one way to go from this point but up in the chain of their equipment. It may take forever but who knows, maybe someday I might just have one of those beautiful all tube Macs.
I just had to start somewhere to get me rolling in that direction. Thanks for listening gentleman and by the way, I’m going to need some insight and help in getting this MR-55 singing again. Didn’t mean to carry on forever in this thread, but what the hell right? I don’t mind reading long threads myself, sometimes.
So I go in looking for that beautiful receiver that I’ve been dreaming about ever since I saw it, a Sansui G-801 in museum quality shape just to see what the price is on it. You see, I never asked because it was out of my league as far as cost wise. I go in and it’s gone. I ask the owner of the store what happened to it and he said it sold on that auction site yesterday to a gentleman in Hammond, IN. I hoping it was someone from our site but that is yet to be determined. I told him I new it was out of my league so he asked me what I thought it was worth as far as what the auction site would bring. I told him it would be at least $650 to $700 and he says “Nope, $350.” I was shocked to say the least and told him so and he said, “I hear ya, so am I.” I told him I would have easily paid that price and I’m still a little disheartened over that news.
Well anyway, back to the McIntosh. I was looking at a McCormack Preamp, it is the one that is passive or active but we wasn’t sure if it had the phono circuit board in it so I passed and was looking at some Fishers like the 700 and a Bogen. I just had to buy something at this going out of business store even if I can’t afford it. So way on the other side of the room here sets the Mac. No cover but the antenna wire is hooked up so I ask about it. He tells me that he was trying to find out what the problem was because all the tubes light up and the signal meter works. He said one or two of the tubes were microphonic while throwing in the quip about how he had thought there “goes the tweeters.” So he says, “Make me an offer.” Ya see I don’t know what model it is or anything about its worth and say $25”, hoping for some out of touch hope he would go for it. I was wrong and said, “Alright $45.” He looks at the ceiling and said, “ Come on, I got more into it never mind all those tubes in there, I’ll check in my paperwork and see what bottom line is on it.” Well, he says, “$125 is all I can do.” I pause and tell him, “I don’t have that cash on me.” He says, “Put it on layaway.” So that is what I decided to do but at the last minute I put it on the credit card to get it over with.
You know, I don’t know what this thing is worth or if it sounds good or even if it is stereo or not. And I really don’t need people telling me how I got ripped off on it or that it’s junk because I don’t care. I plan on fixing whatever is wrong with it and that is that. It is my first Mac and you know what, I’m learning while doing it. Here is something else this purchase does for me. There is no doubt about it now, I’m a McIntosh owner and there is only one way to go from this point but up in the chain of their equipment. It may take forever but who knows, maybe someday I might just have one of those beautiful all tube Macs.
I just had to start somewhere to get me rolling in that direction. Thanks for listening gentleman and by the way, I’m going to need some insight and help in getting this MR-55 singing again. Didn’t mean to carry on forever in this thread, but what the hell right? I don’t mind reading long threads myself, sometimes.
