You can be certain no matter which Mcintosh you choose will be performing its best if you buy it from Audio Classics. Be it an old C-20 or C-11 to the rare 3500, they will perform their best. Any service company that can repair a MR-80 with all its issues can keep you happy. Their ability to keep the disc players performing through the years has been a real challenge and proves their technical prowess.
They also know the history of Mcintosh as well as anyone and will be able to helpyou choose if you really want tubes or SS. I have owned 14 pieces of Mac tube stuff over the years, and I don't miss them at all. In fact I'm glad they are gone. My 2505 and MPI-4 are over 40 years old and the 2505 has been cleaned every now and then and the light bulbs replaced just once and its still performing very well. The MPI-4 had to have a new display tube tube a few years ago and some trim controls, but that was minor. The C-22 always needed a little something from cleaning, to tightening the RCa jacks, to tube to capacitors. 275 and 240's it was tube tubes tubes with the input selector switch and pots needing cleaning semi annually. The MR-77 and 78 went over 30 years with out a miss, and the 2100's performed very well for many years. Items like the MCD 7005, MQ 101, 206, and other SS amps have never been a problem. So yes the tube units of old are pieces to be highly valued and deserve the price they demand, but if you are looking for dependability look to the century series amps, MC150, MC300 , MC500, MC122, 162, MC 352, 252, or newer. I would want the 40 series pre-amps, and the later 80 series tuners. Disc players I will yield to Ryan or Steve at Audio classics for the best choice for your situation.
