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First MAC - Need advice on 1700/1900/4100

34dean

34dean

AK Subscriber
Subscriber
Hi all,
I am ready to jump into the MAC pool and I am considering these three receivers... 1700/1900/4100. The 1700 and 1900 are in the same price range and I can get a nice one, cleaned and "serviced" (not restored/recapped) for about $800-900. I also have the opportunity to buy a restored 4100 around $1600.
I am mostly looking to stream Amazon HD and play vinyl, with some CD playing as well. The tuner is not that important to me other than the cool factor and perhaps some casual listening from time to time.
I do not need a lot of power as most of my listening will be in my office where I can't/won't crank anything.

What do you feel is the best cost-to-value choice for me?

Thank you!
 
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Probably not the 4100. They have a ton of power, and a ton of inputs/outputs - none of which you'll use.

I'l lean toward the 1900 as it is all solid state.
 
I can’t help you with the 1700/1900, but the 4100 was my very first McIntosh (and the reason I got into this forum). I really regret selling it. Beautiful equipment, superb sound.

Regardless of the choice, I’m sure you’ll enjoy your Mc :)

best!
 
I think the MAC4100 would be the wiser choice in the long haul, especially considering it's been freshly restored. It also has a number of technological advancements in addition to 5 band EQ for much better tonal flexibility than the conventional bass/treble controls of the other two.
 
34dean said:
Hi all,
I am ready to jump into the MAC pool and I am considering these three receivers... 1700/1900/4100. The 1700 and 1900 are in the same price range and I can get a nice one, cleaned and "serviced" (not restored/recapped) for about $800-900. I also have the opportunity to buy a restored 4100 around $1600.
I am mostly looking to stream Amazon HD and play vinyl, with some CD playing as well. The tuner is not that important to me other than the cool factor and perhaps some casual listening from time to time.
I do not need a lot of power as most of my listening will be in my office where I can't/won't crank anything.

What do you feel is the best cost-to-value choice for me?

Thank you!
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Had Two 1900's and Four 4100's...I still have the Two 4100's....The 1900 has 2 areas that do not fair well...poor push button switches and Volume switch (poorly made) that tracks poorly. While the 1900 would make a nice Bedroom system...I would go with 4100 as "62caddy" said.
 
CohibaJoe said:
Had Two 1900's and Four 4100's...I still have the Two 4100's....The 1900 has 2 areas that do not fair well...poor push button switches and Volume switch (poorly made) that tracks poorly. While the 1900 would make a nice Bedroom system...I would go with 4100 as "62caddy" said.
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However, 1900 has a superior tuner. 4100 is still superb. 4100 also has equalizer. Remember 1900 has simpler circuit design. Agree switches are better on MAC 4100 and volume pot better tracking). I love the MAC 1900 and MAC 4100 (and even love me a MAC 1700, and do remember that is less powerful and tube tuner).

Also, do consider their integrated amplifiers, the MA 6100 (I am listening to one right now) and the MA 6200. Great integrated amplifiers. I love the MA 6100, that I am on my second one (and it's older than the one it replaced). For your use case, an integrated might make sense (I have a HH Scott 312D broadcast monitor tuner for FM).
 
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None of the above.

If those are the only choices, I'd go 4100 but if you're not going to use the tuner, it's just more aging electronics (and bulbs) to fail or maintain, I'd lean toward an integrated amplifier or maybe even just an amplifier using the preamp (section?) from your current system until you decide to upgrade.
 
MA6200 is effectively a tunerless MAC4100 but they sell for roughly equal money. I'm not certain of the (incandescent) lamp complement of the two models but it should be similar. The LEDs used in the 4100 almost never fail. Oddly, the MAC4100 has the additional refinement of FET controlled input switching which the MA6200 lacks which I always thought was strange.
 
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62caddy said:
MA6200 is effectively a tunerless MAC4100 but they sell for roughly equal money. I'm not certain of the (incandescent) lamp complement of the two models but it should be similar. The LEDs used in the 4100 almost never fail. Oddly, the MAC4100 has the additional refinement of FET controlled input switching which the MA6200 lacks which I always thought was strange.
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Style is always subjective, but my vote on that certainly goes to the somewhat unique look of the 4100.
 
After decades of ownership, I'm still a pushover for a prestine 1700. With the right speakers they make for a fine hi-fi. And then there's that gorgeous appearance...
The 1900 has a few more features with a little more power, but when it came time to let one or the other go, the 1700 won out. No regrets whatsoever.
 
34dean said:
Do any of you know a reputable service tech in CT?
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Amplifier Experts in New Milford is a decent repair shop. He repairs tons of McIntosh equipment, and repaired a MR67 tuner for me. I know he has also worked on other AK members McIntosh equipment too. Keep in mind he is more of a repair type of tech, rather than restore to new. Although if you told him you wanted all caps replaced I bet he would oblige.

Also in CT there is Herb Ward who has a good reputation but I have not used him.

And you can always send to Audio Classics. Or take the drive out to Binghamton. Wait a month and the drive will be exquisite.
 
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