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MAC 1500 Owners Thread

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62caddy

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Been enjoying my MAC 1500 a little over a week since getting it back from Terry DeWick's clinic. :D All I can say is it's a fantastic performer. I live in a fringe area with major multipath issues and with some tweaking, some of the most distant stations were still very listenable with some orientation of a rabbit ears antenna. On strong stations, the sound quality is outstanding with very good bass. HF response is not as good as the MR 80 (expected) but is delightfully sweet with all kinds of music.

The most startling experience was a few nights ago when I encountered a station playing some banjo music. It was literally startling when of a sudden, FM static instantly changed to what sounded like a musician standing right behind be playing a banjo. I actually turned my head just to make sure! It was the only time I ever had such an encounter with hi-fi - and the best part is that I'm not even a fan of blue grass. Ha.

Phono section is fairly good as well but I find increasing enjoyment from FM with the MAC. Only vinyl recordings of the very best quality will come close to the tuner section. Some of it may have to do with the cartridge which is a Shure V15 III which seems a tad lacking in the highs for my taste. I was considering swapping it for an Audio Technica TR 440 MLa but haven't made any firm decisions on that yet. Soon I'd like to add a CD player as well.

I had purchased the MAC as a package along with a pair of Heathkit AS-21 Legatos from an gentleman who had owned the system since new. 50 years later this setup still sounds wonderful. The drivers are a pair of Altec 12" woofers and 811 horn in each speaker. I think the MAC with these speakers is a perfect match.

Anyway that has been my experience with the MAC 1500 to date.

Other MAC 1500 owners are welcome to chime in with their experiences as well. Also interested in hearing what speakers you're using with yours as well as cartridges that work best with the 1500.

Best,
Eric
 
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Eric, I too have a Mac 1500. It is currently with Terry Dewick for a complete tune up. My Grandfather purchased this unit in 1966, along with a Dual 1019 turntable. The Dual has an NOS Sure V-15 III cartridge. I have a pair of Boston Acoustic A-150's that I run the system through.

The MAC has all of its original tubes including the smooth plate Telefunken's. The unit sounds simply magical. I agree with you regarding the FM - it's so much better than any tuner I've experienced - and it's all tube. I grew up listening to this same unit and thought it was no big deal. Now as an adult, I can truly appreciate just how good it really is. If you ever want to sell, please contact me as I have two kids and would like to leave one for each of them. Ted (209) 321-0981.
 
It is nice to hear that you enjoy & treasure your grandfather's MAC1500. I still have mine and every so often I will drop it in my vintage system driving a pair of Altec 14 speakers and be content forever.

The 1960s champagne-gold styling is classic and understated.

Enjoy. :music:
 
I wish I had one and ironically I have a pair of Boston Acoustic A-150's that are amazing with my MAC-1700. The source is my Thorens TD-125 with the SME-3009. I really like the Sumiko Pearl cart with this combo, but always longed for a 1500. Glad you are enjoying that amazing piece of tube goodness!
 
While I don't have a 1500 I do have an MA230, also a hybrid. It was my first Mac and an MR67. A good tube tuner can be startling. The 1500 and the 230 are somewhat unique in being Macs only vintage hybrids.
 
My MAC 1500 is part of my holy triad of 7591 amps, Fisher 800c and Scott 299c being the other two

They all have their original tubes

Its funny that whichever amp I rotate into play, that's the amp that sounds best

Altec 14's, EV-Sixes and Ampex 7208 speakers
 
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I think the MA 2275 might also be a hybrid integrated. I've read the preamp sections of MA 230 and MAC 1500 are C24 derivatives.

What 7591s is everybody using? I've had Sylvania, EH and JJs in and I can't hear any difference.
 
I finally got mine serviced after sitting on it for a couple of years, and I really like it! I'm sad I'm not able to take it to Terry DeWick for a full restoration, but even in its unrestored state (I've upgraded the transistors with parts from the factory), It's a pretty phenomenal amp. Easily as good as my Scott 299a, but with so much more presence.

I'm running it off a pair of Klipsch Cornwalls gen 1, with all original power tubes. I'm considering taking it to the "Audio Doctor" for a full restoration (as they seem to be the most solid with Macs on the wast coast).
 
aitrus21 said:
I finally got mine serviced after sitting on it for a couple of years, and I really like it! I'm sad I'm not able to take it to Terry DeWick for a full restoration, but even in its unrestored state (I've upgraded the transistors with parts from the factory), It's a pretty phenomenal amp. Easily as good as my Scott 299a, but with so much more presence.

I'm running it off a pair of Klipsch Cornwalls gen 1, with all original power tubes. I'm considering taking it to the "Audio Doctor" for a full restoration (as they seem to be the most solid with Macs on the wast coast).
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What transistors did the factory suggest?
 
Recently my 1500 developed weak/distorted output on one channel that thankfully only turned out to be a failed 7591 Tung Sol. All four were bought new six years ago yet one of the litter failed while the other three are still okay.

Previous to going with the T/S, I had purchased a new set of JJ 7591s but returned them because one was flaring up brightly on cold startup. Just goes to underscore the continuing reliability issues with modern tube replacements. Even as far back as the mid-'70s, Dave O'Brien complained about this even when tubes were still being produced by the original OEMs.

Even so, my MAC isn't going anywhere because I love the sound of the thing- mainly due to its great loudness comp circuit, not necessarily because it has a tube main amp section. I'd probably swap it for a MAC1700 in a heartbeat except they murdered the loudness comp in that model. In any case, I think it's always a good idea to keep a quality SS unit on hand as a backup for those who use older tube gear for daily driving. Much the same as a vintage car owner would.
 
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I bought my MAC 1500 a set of vintage Westinghouse output tubes. A matched set! They sound great!
Westinghouse was the original provider of output tubes for the MAC1500, McIntosh labeled of course.
 
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Just got my Richard Modaffari modified MAC1500 back from surgery. Power supply caps replaced. Checked the tuner and it’s spot on. Tuning meter centered!
With the bias set at .5, it bench tested at 39/40 wpc, which is over the rated 30 wpc. Has a matching set of high tested Westinghouse 7591 outputs. After 4.5 hours of continuous playing the center of the power transformer top measured 129.8 F, using an infrared gun. That’s considered “cool”!
IMG_2971.jpeg
 
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