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Macintosh MX 110 (first time with tubes)

So the MX 110 arrived today. Got all the tubes installed which i was a little worried about but it went well surprisingly.
I have my iPod thru an Istreamer into the aux input and it sounds great........lots of gain.
I was just wondering about hooking up my CD player as well. What input would i connect it to?
Also, i noticed the thing runs kinda hot........is this normal for tubes?
 
Move the iPod's output to the Tape Input.

Then connect the CD player to the AUX inputs. Once that's done, check the level controls on the top apron to set input levels. Odds are that your CD player's output is a bit hotter than most normal Line In devices so be prepared to back down the attenuators a bit. This allows you to set the output to equal the FM output.

Yes, it runs hot. There are a lot of tubes in there. Keep it ventilated. Monitor the heat of the transformer. If it gets to hot that you have to pull your hand away, its running too hot otherwise, it is likely ok.

What, if any, remedial restoration has been done on it?

Cheers,

David
 
Thank you David. Yes i panicked. Lol
I guess u should read the manual after all.
I had some issues with the tape in and the phono but all working well now. it sounds fantastic.
The attenenuators are all up full. Is this ok? the volume at 11 o'clock is a perfect listening level for me.
Is the transformer the black square one at the back?
The person i purchased from had a local tech who has a decent reputation work on it.
He said some resistors and capacitors were replaced and some tubes. That all i really know.

Thanks again
 
Full clockwise of the secondary level controls is perfectly fine.

It is normal for the transformer to get hot after it's been on for a couple hours. Not to the point you can't leave your hand on for a few seconds but hot nonetheless.
 
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I was curious about the output statistics. What is the output per channel and max output. I know that is a rookie question but then I am a rookie, thanks.
 
Output voltage is 3V. MX110 should be used with amplifiers with input impedance of 100K ohm or greater.
 
62caddy said:
MX110 is a tuner preamplifier.
Click to expand...
Thanks, like I said "Rookie". I just assumed at 1K plus that it was a receiver with amp. That is way out of my league. I just looked at your equipment list. You must have a quarter mil in that system.
 
Ozo said:
Thanks, like I said "Rookie". I just assumed at 1K plus that it was a receiver with amp. That is way out of my league. I just looked at your equipment list. You must have a quarter mil in that system.
Click to expand...

that's a bit overblown, I'm guessing he has somewhere between $10-20k into his gear, depending on when he bought it.
 
Ozo said:
Thanks, like I said "Rookie". I just assumed at 1K plus that it was a receiver with amp. That is way out of my league. I just looked at your equipment list. You must have a quarter mil in that system.
Click to expand...

Not quite anything near but a 1/10 of that wouldn't be far off after repairs, maintenance, incidentals etc.

The C22 tube preamplifier regularly changes hands for ~ $3K to $4K these days. By comparison, the MX110 is a relative bargain at $1K - $2K, with 90 - 99% the sound quality of the C22 - depending on who you ask.
 
62caddy said:
Not quite anything near but a 1/10 of that wouldn't be far off after repairs, maintenance, incidentals etc.

The C22 tube preamplifier regularly changes hands for ~ $3K to $4K these days. By comparison, the MX110 is a relative bargain at $1K - $2K, with 90 - 99% the sound quality of the C22 - depending on who you ask.
Click to expand...

It seems the MX110 is creeping up into those pretty high numbers these days too. Still a bargain compared to the C22
 
MX110s were once considered the scourge of vintage tube McIntosh - scoffed at. If you had an MX110, folks assumed you didn't have the scratch for a C11, C20, or C22. God forbid if you had an early non "Z" version . . .

My how times have changed.
 
Hey guys sorry to bother yas again. Seem to have a small problem with the pre.
The right channel volume seems to be slightly lower. I tried it on Aux, Tape and phono and the same.
It not crazy low but enough to notice it when playing with the balance. What would you suggest i try first?
I was thinking of cleaning the switches on the front to start. How would one get to these with dioxit? Does the bottom panel come off for better access to them?
Thanks again
 
If you haven't cleaned the switches and pots, that's the first thing you should do. You can get to them from underneath the unit
 
damacman said:
MX110s were once considered the scourge of vintage tube McIntosh - scoffed at. If you had an MX110, folks assumed you didn't have the scratch for a C11, C20, or C22. God forbid if you had an early non "Z" version . . .

My how times have changed.
Click to expand...

I love my M series mx110, it's a fantastic sounding preamp. It's almost as good as my C11 and it gets used every single day. Plus the balance control is way cooler than the z series...
 
I'm sure as much can be said for any number of units from the tube era which are highly regarded today; the cream usually rises to the top in the end.

Frank McIntosh himself was a proponent of the tuner preamplifier and being this his new "baby", McIntosh spared little in giving MX110 all the best it had to give, within the constraints of physical space, cost and at $499 MSRP (1969), it was not exactly cheap by any means. It was also $100 more than the C22.

Richard Moderaffi himself said the tuner section was so well designed there were no modifications he could do to improve it. Steve Hoffman has nothing but praise for his MX110 which he has reported excellent results in a $100K system. The list goes on and on...

In short, the MX110 was engineered & designed with all the integrity and performance worthy of the McIntosh name. :)
 
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Contacted the buyer and he tells me the pots and switches were just cleaned.
He says its probably one of the outboard tubes. he said they tested well but the tubes could have slightly different output levels.
Does this make sense? I dont have a tester to test. Should i just pick up two tubes which are closely matched and try those? thanks
 
kerouacknew said:
Contacted the buyer and he tells me the pots and switches were just cleaned.
He says its probably one of the outboard tubes. he said they tested well but the tubes could have slightly different output levels.
Does this make sense? I dont have a tester to test. Should i just pick up two tubes which are closely matched and try those? thanks
Click to expand...

Frankly I'd be surprised if that will make much difference. Before throwing your hard-earned money on tubes it might not need, try swapping the L & R 6AU6s - one pair at a time and see if that makes any difference.

Here's some good reading on the MX110 if interested.

http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threa...-surprised-me-today-follow-up-post-61.268103/

Herewith, some bare chassis shots of the MX110 in all its chrome glory. What's not to love?






Eva Longoria agrees: :D

@ 0:11

 
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