• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

LED Kits

Negotiableterms

Negotiableterms

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Subscriber
There are now LED kits available for several older Mc models. I think a lot are from Ryan, but there may be other vendors as well. I was thinking it would be great to ahve a thread that lists the kits, and some idea of how hard they are to install.

Anyone care to start?
 
Register to hide this ad
I have a LED kit for a C2200 preamp that I have yet to install. I have been reassured by Ryan that the install is straight forward and 'easy' but I need to take that inital step. The instructions sent with the kit are detailed and step-by-step. I have also been told it won't match my MC252 LED unless I adjust the lights (pots) on the amp.
 
Great news! How far back are we talking here? MC2105/2505 era or only newer stuff from the 80s and 90s?

-Matt
 
I usually purchase bulbs from AK member dwojo. He put me in touch with D. Haywood for LED lamp replacements for McIntosh gear. They sell for about $5, each. I haven't had occasion to use any as of yet, as no bulbs have gone out recently. Would rather not post his e-mail, but will pass along if you pm me. Am sure that dwojo will, as well.
 
IIRC, some Mc units have individual bulbs, while others have little strips that the bulbs are soldered onto, the MC-352 as an example. Do the $5 LEDs replace the individual bulbs only? If so, what are the specs, like volts, watts, etc?
 
This is old news, but a guy named Don Haywood sold me a bunch of LEDs for my MR-78 and they are very good. His service was top notch. When an LED went bad prematurely he replaced it free no questions. Contact Don Haywood, 4225 Table Mt. Place, Fort Collins, Colorado 80526.
 
I would like to give a big thanks to Ryan who hooked me up with the led kit for my C41. The installation was just as easy as he said and it looks fantastic. My wife had tried to talk me out of getting it,saying that she liked it better with the lights burnt out! Last night we turned off the room lights and listened to some jazz,she kept looking at the pre and then said she had forgotten how much she liked it lit-up. Good stuff
 
Any one have any pictures of their amps with the new LED installed?

I'm trying to understand before making the investment if using these LED's would really brighten up my 2105 & 2505 to something comparable to my 7205 which seems blazing in comparison to the older amps.....I don't know why ot bothers me but they look a little dull comapred to the new amp!
 
3goldens said:
Any one have any pictures of their amps with the new LED installed?

I'm trying to understand before making the investment if using these LED's would really brighten up my 2105 & 2505 to something comparable to my 7205 which seems blazing in comparison to the older amps.....I don't know why ot bothers me but they look a little dull comapred to the new amp!
Click to expand...

I didn't think the 7205 had LEDs... does it?
 
I got a LED kit for my MR-71 tuner from AK member dwojo. Put two led lights at the end of the glass faceplate which added brightness and offered better readability. Also replaced the red stereo light to a LED one which I ordered @50% brightness to match other light intensities. Tuner truly looks better with the LED's.
 
Negotiableterms said:
I didn't think the 7205 had LEDs... does it?
Click to expand...

Pardon my lack of knowledge on the correct terms here....What I meant is the overall lighting of the faceplate, the significant brightness of it, the 7205, compared to the faceplate brightness level of the two older amplifiers.

It may very well be the longer life bulbs in the 7205 are brighter which I got from Dave and were put in while it was serviced.

But it probably has more to do with it being a much newer amp with updated technology, bt that us purely a guess on my part.

Why do people put the kits in instead of just changing the bulbs to LED's?
 
I got the kit from Ryan (AC) for my MC352.The MC352 has light strips and I could see for me would have been a real PIA to replace - all soldered to a board strip. Anyway I was able to follow the instructions and do the job - the 352 lights up beautiful again and looks great next to the C2300. I was originally skeptical - but if I could install them anyone can.
 
Last edited:
I don't think that there are LEDs that will just switch with the bulbs. As said in the previous post, some units have the bulbs soldered in strips. The LEDs need to come assembled into the right format for each unit.

There may be other differences as well, like voltage, etc., of which I'm not aware.
 
For the older amps, like the MC2105, you will need to check that the lamp sockets are not corroded and the blue plexiglass that goes in front of the meters to provide the color is in good shape. The corrosion will reduce the voltage to the lamps, making them a bit dimmer and the plexiglas can darken, doing the same. Audio Classics has the blue plexiglas pieces.
 
I installed the Prelude kit for the MR85; was a very tedious process, as the wires from the PCB were too short to easily reach the holes in the faceplate. The grommets are hard to get into place, needed to disassemble the entire front of the unit. But, eventually all done and looked OK, but certainly no better than OEM bulbs. But then, the manual tuning ceased to function. Removed the LED kit, put in new bulbs and tuning now works normally. Threw LED kit away.
I recommend for the MR85, at least, to just keep the bulbs; they are very easy to replace.
 
I dont understand....whats the difference between the LED light kits from A.C. and the individual LED bulbs that are available from dwojo or D. Haywood? Can you just plop in the LED bulbs or do you have to modify the electonics and install a retrofit kit with a ballast or transformer or something..... :scratch2:
I know dwojo is very good...I bought bulbs from him for my vintage Pioneers.
My main system is C42 - MC352 - MR85
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom