The link isn't working for me- no matter.
I wonder when the two-section-top-panel deal began...
MAC 4100 solid walnut wood case done
- Thread starter psychoaudio
- Start date
The link isn't working for me- no matter.
I wonder when the two-section-top-panel deal began...
That picture is my MAC 4100 .
markd51
Nyuk Nyuk
Or even Beveled the other way, like a Marantz Cab would look great too.
Marantz WC-22 / WC-42 Wood Case - Vintage HIFI Audio
Marantz WC-22 Wood Case. Beautiful cherry or walnut replica wood case for Marantz receivers. Universal foot pattern fits most 22xx models. Fits: 2215, 2215B, 2220, 2220B, 2225, 2230, 2240, 2245, 2250, 2270, 2275. 2440, 4230, 4240, 4270, 4415, 4430, 5020, 2216B, 2216B(L), 2226B, 2226B(L),2238B...
vintagehifiaudio.com
Interestingly, back in the late 1980s and early ‘90s, when I bought an MR78, C28, C32, MC502, and C504, the dealer gave me free sets of panlocs and walnut cabinets. He said he had a room full of them that no one wanted anymore. They literally couldn’t give them away. But styles—cyclical—change.
markd51
Nyuk Nyuk
Makes you wish you could go back in time.
About the 4100 and other later Mac Receivers, I Have no knowledge about how far "compatibility" would go with say a 4-sided Wood Case? , Would it be applicable-compatible with any other of the 42XX, or 4300 Receivers as well?
Or no? If it did, I see that as a plus, meaning a larger market/demand interested in such cases.
Face Plate Dimensions are paramount, if the same size, then swell.
But what about metal Case width, height, and depth? Also Feet Positioning, I'm sure there would be variances between the different models Mac made.
I have that cabinet.
markd51
Nyuk Nyuk
One could have panels made from solid high gloss Black Acrylic as another option as well. But does it come down to cost
The biggest problem I dislike with the 4100 Case? Too many "Lips", meaning ledges. Coming up a bit short to protect the top leading edge of the Face Plate you'll notice, and also evenly meet the side panels, as there's a good 3/32" or so gap-ledge at the top of the Face Plate for potential damage-dings to occur.
While the top panel is fairly thick, it doesn't appear that way from the front.
Hence as has been mentioned, a 4-sided case would look the best IMO.
The biggest problem I dislike with the 4100 Case? Too many "Lips", meaning ledges. Coming up a bit short to protect the top leading edge of the Face Plate you'll notice, and also evenly meet the side panels, as there's a good 3/32" or so gap-ledge at the top of the Face Plate for potential damage-dings to occur.
While the top panel is fairly thick, it doesn't appear that way from the front.
Hence as has been mentioned, a 4-sided case would look the best IMO.
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There was tweaking involved to make it all fit. Woodworking involves a range of complexities, from selecting the right wood and understanding its characteristics to mastering various tools and techniques. Precision, attention to detail, and knowledge of joinery contribute to the intricate nature of crafting wood into functional or “artistic” pieces. Then you factor like wood grain, moisture content, and finishing processes add further layers of complexity to the craft. Pleased with the result overall and he’s open to making more.
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markd51
Nyuk Nyuk
My My, she sure looks purty!
And I quickly noticed that you must've swapped Festoon Lamps to Cool Blue like I did! How do you like the new look with the different Lamps? I think the look is sweet!
If there's anything to personally dislike, and I mention it above your post about "Lips-Ledges".
In that the Face Plate extends past the Wood Case, and I felt it would not only look nicer, but also offer some bit of protection of the edges of the Face Plate had the Face Plate been recessed into the Case "Ala Marantz".
I say this because on my own 4100, and running a fingernail along that very top edge, I can feel some slight "ticks" in the aluminum.
But I'd be inclined to believe though that such wasn't caused by any past owner, which I have no idea how many people before me owned my 4100, but that such was more likely caused by a repair tech sliding the unit around on some Work Bench.
Another member here who posted in this thread, Paulvo, claimed that my 4100 was once his, so at least 3 owners known of, and although I've asked privately, Paulvo hasn't provided me with any further history info-etc on my 4100.
Still, your Case came out really nice! Really adds class!
And I quickly noticed that you must've swapped Festoon Lamps to Cool Blue like I did! How do you like the new look with the different Lamps? I think the look is sweet!
If there's anything to personally dislike, and I mention it above your post about "Lips-Ledges".
In that the Face Plate extends past the Wood Case, and I felt it would not only look nicer, but also offer some bit of protection of the edges of the Face Plate had the Face Plate been recessed into the Case "Ala Marantz".
I say this because on my own 4100, and running a fingernail along that very top edge, I can feel some slight "ticks" in the aluminum.
But I'd be inclined to believe though that such wasn't caused by any past owner, which I have no idea how many people before me owned my 4100, but that such was more likely caused by a repair tech sliding the unit around on some Work Bench.
Another member here who posted in this thread, Paulvo, claimed that my 4100 was once his, so at least 3 owners known of, and although I've asked privately, Paulvo hasn't provided me with any further history info-etc on my 4100.
Still, your Case came out really nice! Really adds class!
markd51
Nyuk Nyuk
Yours looks very sweet though, no denying that! It's come very close to duplicating the original look, and a better Cabinet than what is offered by Audio Classics IMO.
I note that the Top Panel at the very front appears "thicker", and proper, whereas the original looks very "thin".
And of course gone are the ledges where the Top Panel meets the Side Panels.
There's a case on the auction site I recently noticed, looks OK, but like yours much better as it still follows-mimics the original design more closely.
I note that the Top Panel at the very front appears "thicker", and proper, whereas the original looks very "thin".
And of course gone are the ledges where the Top Panel meets the Side Panels.
There's a case on the auction site I recently noticed, looks OK, but like yours much better as it still follows-mimics the original design more closely.
I tired staying loyal with another LED vendor I used for my MX110Z, fishers etc but there wasn’t enough lumens so I went with your vendor and cool blue as suggested. It’s perfect! Thanks for the suggestion.
As far as the cabinet goes, I totally see your point and I wish I went with a full cabinet. This will suffice for now.
As far as the cabinet goes, I totally see your point and I wish I went with a full cabinet. This will suffice for now.
markd51
Nyuk Nyuk
Well, like this latest Cabinet I linked to, and only secured with one measly screw? Not so sure how that design would work that well IMO?
But the sky is the limit. I agree and understand, working with wood is an intricate endeavor, one (or a company) has to have masterful skills.
An endless variety of woods, paints, materials could be used. But I like the style you took, and most certainly you created a beautiful case I'd be very proud to own.
Merry Christmas to you and all!
But the sky is the limit. I agree and understand, working with wood is an intricate endeavor, one (or a company) has to have masterful skills.
An endless variety of woods, paints, materials could be used. But I like the style you took, and most certainly you created a beautiful case I'd be very proud to own.
Merry Christmas to you and all!
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markd51
Nyuk Nyuk
Had today been 13 years ago, and my buddy Andy Homeyer in Alamogordo, New Mexico, he could've made me up a case from .500" Aluminum Sheet.
Even though he had a small personal shop, he was a master machinist.
Brushed, Polished. heck, machine turned, etc, bevels chamfers-holes, etc wherever you want them.
One has to start with a CAD Drawing for design if you want such correct. How high a tolerance do you require-need? .007"?
A brushed and black anodized Case, he was sending parts off to a plating shop on a bi-weekly basis.
Could be a 3 piece Cab, could be 4.
Back then, cost of materials, and labor, yeah, maybe about $300 or so.
With state of the art machining processes today, such can be easily done. But costs can be a factor, especially if you're talking a "One Off" one of a kind case to your exacting specs.
If you know somebody, then sure, such could be a bargain as far as cost.
Part of the problem adding cost is buying smaller quantities of metal stock. If you got a buddy who's got 10 sheets lying about doing nothing, well then your in! LOL
Unless one is slightly "touched in the head", I also see on the other hand no real sense going to obsessive and exorbitant costs trying to make the 4100 something that it isn't. It's not a Krell-Mark Levinson, etc, it's vintage Mac!
Even if the Audio Classics Case was all solid pieces and not cheaply jointed, the price today for such is steep.
I know a tiny bit about the 4100, but I can recognise the other electro-mechanical shortcomings that are present and more detrimental to the Receiver than just the faux wood case.
Even though he had a small personal shop, he was a master machinist.
Brushed, Polished. heck, machine turned, etc, bevels chamfers-holes, etc wherever you want them.
One has to start with a CAD Drawing for design if you want such correct. How high a tolerance do you require-need? .007"?
A brushed and black anodized Case, he was sending parts off to a plating shop on a bi-weekly basis.
Could be a 3 piece Cab, could be 4.
Back then, cost of materials, and labor, yeah, maybe about $300 or so.
With state of the art machining processes today, such can be easily done. But costs can be a factor, especially if you're talking a "One Off" one of a kind case to your exacting specs.
If you know somebody, then sure, such could be a bargain as far as cost.
Part of the problem adding cost is buying smaller quantities of metal stock. If you got a buddy who's got 10 sheets lying about doing nothing, well then your in! LOL
Unless one is slightly "touched in the head", I also see on the other hand no real sense going to obsessive and exorbitant costs trying to make the 4100 something that it isn't. It's not a Krell-Mark Levinson, etc, it's vintage Mac!
Even if the Audio Classics Case was all solid pieces and not cheaply jointed, the price today for such is steep.
I know a tiny bit about the 4100, but I can recognise the other electro-mechanical shortcomings that are present and more detrimental to the Receiver than just the faux wood case.
mea2112
Addicted Member
Just curious what those shortcomings are or have they already been covered somewhere?
markd51
Nyuk Nyuk
To answer your questions, and besides the general dislikes of the faux wood case, the other shortcomings and personal dislikes I have with the 4100 I'm sure were not inherit solely to this particular model.
That probably all other Mac equipment from this era had similar RCA and Speaker Jacks on back. And many other brands as well.
That using 16ga or heavier speaker wire would be a problem without some form of Adapters used.
And as for Interconnect Cabling, again, not that many options for the 4100.
My first tests with my 4100 and the use of more expensive RCA Cables from the likes of Shunyata, and Audio Sensibility, both of these Cables were an incompatible match.
That they would not properly fit-secure, I had sound cutting in and out, and began to think there was problems with the Jacks themselves. Nope, the problem was the Cables not being compatible with the 4100.
After experimentation with some really cheap junk I had, I then bought some less expensive cables, one was the Audioquest Evergreen, and then had no issues, that the Jacks buttoned up much better. I understand the 4100 and other Macs from this era used RCA Jacks with Ceramic Insulators, and these can crack-crumble with misuse, and/or age.
The Push Buttons-Switches on front, again, the 4100 was not the only equipment where such problems could occur. One 4100 had informed me that the Power Switch on the 4100 is basically all Plastic, and a weak area. The cheap plastic buttons themselves could've been better IMO. Even a $250 Marantz Receiver had more attractive Front Switch Buttons.
These are just a couple personal dislikes of mine. I'm sure if I was more intimate with the 4100, I could cite some other dislikes. Bottom line is, nothing is perfect I reckon, and you either accept, work around, or shun such, it's a personal choice
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