Are you really surprised the auction crowd does not perceive the added value of a better sounding, more reliable vintage unit?
How many in this forum have actually had a chance to A/B a restored vs. original vintage c33,32, or a mac4100,mac1900, c28 or whatever.
If the 30, 40.......100+ that post or lurk here have not experienced or recognize the improvement; how can we expect the other 400,000 Mac owners out there in the world to know the added value a restored unit offers?
Recently I invited the area Mac rep to visit my new digs. I asked him how many of his Mac dealers were offering service. He had to think about it......back in the day it would have been ALL of them.
If local Mac dealers are not offering service or the chance to hear the added value these restored units offer, how can we not be surprised the auction crowd does not get it.
I question if most current Mac dealers get it either.
I agree with this.....
The new local AV store that carries Mc has no Tech service. The manager said he could refer customers for repair, but there doesn't seem to be sales and service like days of old. They're focused heavily on sales!
Back in the 60s and 70s.. Soundco had an excellent service lab. Hell.. they sold B&K, Hickok, Simpson and other first rate test gear and could basically get their test equip from inventory. Not only that.. Soundco was a regional parts wholesaler (like a small Mouser in brick and mortar) and could pull their replacement parts from stock too. EZ Teletronics in Chicago was run by sole proprietor named Hank who was also the Tech. That was the ultimate low overhead, high end Mc dealer. He'd always have a half dozen or more Mc trade-ins on the shelf. I bough 7 or 8 pieces from him.. in the south side of Chicago.
Recall the horrible pics of 2205's destroyed in shipping over the past 5 years. Have you ever wondered if they were set-up to take a fall, the seller expecting an insurance settlement, possibly because it needed a major output transistor overhaul? There's no way to prove anything.. but think about it! How could anyone be so incompetent to pack a 2205 in a cardboard box lined with foam peanuts? hah?
-Gregory
I agree with this too.....
I think a vast majority of the terrible packing as well as rusty, terrible looking units come from storage and estate sales buyers who bought some china or furniture at the same auction. There seem to be a lot more of them now than there were a few years ago. Not only do they NOT know how to pack heavy, fragile items but beyond plugging in the line cord have no idea how it works or what it takes to to get sound out of it. Unfortunately, they still think they can strike it rich with an ebay sale. I have also seen some legitimate dealers sell beautiful trade in's at fair prices with return privileges, probably because they were not Mac dealers. I must admit if you live in California there is a lot more stuff to inspect in person.
And, I agree with this.......
As we have discussed before, recapping and updating, restoration of these units is essential to these units for their specified performance, and long term reliability. I think we can all agree on this......
But, when you are selling to the greater public who may not necessarily be as well informed as members on AK are, of course it will matter who does the work on the unit.
Who would buy a classic 1965 Ford Thunderbird which has been restored by the owner who is not a professional, and has just picked away at it in the weekends for the last 5 years?? I know I wouldn't, I want the best possible job done by a reputable expert.
The McIntosh, or whatever brand, is the same.
Perhaps the weekend hobbyist has done a great job and made well informed decisions and is a retired mechanic, but how do we know that??
Its all about street cred......
That auction site is a minefield and one simply cannot generalize about it. Personally, I have bought 2 Mc's and 1 Sansui G9000 off that place in ALL of the three cases I carefully selected 100% Positive feedback sellers, BUT, I was lied to, ripped off, and units damaged in all three transactions.
So I don't go there, but, hey maybe this is not always the case, but do you think for a second I will ever go there again, you know, once bitten, twice bitten, THREE times bitten, NO WAY, get the F@#$k outta here.....now that is not generalizing!!
Sorry, John!
Not enough coffee this morning !!
Now stop pussy footing around and go and buy your McIntosh and enter the world of high end audio, if you make an informed decision on you purchase (and there's plenty on info in this thread to do so), you will find audio nirvana....
Get the MX113 or whatever and enjoy it, then upgrade later.......:yes:
What a great place AK is........:thmbsp: