First MC2125

[ZaP]

Just scored a MC2125 for $40 along with a set of Polk SDA SRS for $100.

I was planning on just flipping the MC2125 till I tested it out and now I'm hooked so I disconnected it and it's sitting for a very capable tech to take a look at it.

This is my first McIntosh so the beginning of the journey has brought me here with some questions.

What can be done about the face delamination?

What if any mods are there beyond the LEDs?

How much can one expect to spend to restore a MC2125?

 

[Mike Gibson]

The only mods I'd even consider would be those advised by a McIntosh technician of long standing. You can lose the signature sound fooling around with components. There are several highly respected techs and shops located around the country. Most of whom stop in here once in a while and some are site sponsors Do some reading in this forum and will soon know who most of them are. Look in the Hints & Kinks sticky for things you can do to help the cosmetics. Also there are many threads about it in here. Enjoy the journey. After all it's the journey not the destination or the arrival that matters.

 

[twiiii]

Looks like somebody installed the wrong meter lamps. My meters on one amp are pushing 50 years old and look like new. I have never seen Mac meters look that bad and I worked for a Mac dealer for close to 40 years. . You can get new gell from a local company that sells theatre or entertainment lighting. Rusco use to make two grades of jell in matching color, you want the thicker one. You can try the Factory or Ryan at Audio Classics, or Maybe Terry DeWick can help you.

 

[clinic-audio]

Your meters get overheated and light boxes will broke like glass when you will replace the wrong lamp inside
your blue gel get burned , that's why they are brown . They need to be replaced.

 

[John James]

Welcome to AK!

 

[62caddy]

Put that down for the score of a lifetime. MC2125 faceplate available from Audio Classics for $149.

http://www.audioclassics.com/detail?detail=016-161&nav=cat

The Polk SDA SRS is one speaker I always wanted to hear.

Congratulations and welcome to AK.

 

[c_dk]

Have no idea what the local labor rates for professional services in your area so beyond come known prices for parts there is no way to give a estimate for the total restoration.....however labor time is guessable:

Replace the glass plan on 1.5 hours

I am sure the meter light boxes are trashed so if you can find replacement light boxes figure 5 hours to rebuild the meters and find/replace the filter gels with the correct colors to match other Mac amps.

I am much more concerned with the long term reliability and performance than the cosmetics that resellers fret over.......assuming the main filter caps pass a stress test and are still OK after 40+ years; plan on 5 hours to recap, reflow solder joints and do the other needed routine maintenance to extend the units life another 40 years.

I believe that adds up to 11.5 hours at your local labor rate.......I understand that local labor rates in certain large metro areas are well over $100 US......plus the known parts cost plus the unknown cost of light boxes.......

A MC2125 amp is a excellent amp and once restored and a true high performance unit.......a flippers delight hardly but still a excellent long term unit.