Does McIntosh offer replacement transformers to DIYers who want to repair or experiment with their patented (in the usa) unity coupled circuit? I've never asked but I've read that they no longer service any of their classic vacuum tube gear.
If that's the case, and it's based on some hearsay from a source I cant remember, why is the production of knockoffs a threat.
If in fact McIntosh discontinued their tube amps, then people will get what they need elsewhere.
(They do still sell a 275 on their website. I checked)
For example. I built out a pair of -30s which were too rusted to bother to save. I bought chassis from a 3rd party which are exact replicas and which look perfect. Original transformers were used, but literally everything else is brand new or nos.
Am I stealing?
How do you figure?
Is the guy who makes replacement transformers stealing?
They made about 14,000 MC30s
Thas 7000 stereo pairs.
Eventually, demand is going to drive someone to made knockoffs.
McIntosh could obviously prevent this, by simply giving people what they want...
The best tube amplifiers at a price which reflects the fact that the R&D guys are all dead, and the R&D was paid for, long before I was born. They complain but their case doesn't hold water.
Certainly doesn't hold water outside the United states.
Obviously I'd rather have a pristine original with no Chrome missing and every component untouched by time.
That's not possible, so the market does its thing...
I think the Asian Audiophile market would go bonkers for a new "official licensed product" built in Asia. Give the people what they want... The original Mc30 wasn't entirely made in USA. Astute observers will note that V1, a Telefunken 12ax7 is made in Germany.
Okay, a lot to reply to.
I doubt that McIntosh is too worried about the aftermarket chassis for your MC30s, I bought a pair for my MC75s also, and they’re better made than the originals. Completely legal until they put McIntosh on them, as that is a registered trademark. Likely nobody will do anything about the bare chassis and restoring this old iron just helps the McIntosh brand image.
Transformers? I’m pretty sure that all patents involved in the MC30s have long ago expired, utility patents only last so long, and renewing ad-naseum isn’t possible. Provided there is no valid patent on the circuit and transformer you should be able to reproduce those also, provided you don’t stamp McIntosh on them or represent them as McIntosh original, OE, OEM, etc. You can probably re-create the entire MC30 (or the MC275) amplifier’s circuit and sell them (again provided there are no remaining patents). However, making it look exactly like the MC275 so that it can be mistaken for the real-deal, might land you in court.
The McIntosh badging however, is the big one. It identifies this as a real McIntosh, at least to most people who would see it. This is a trademark, and ownership of a trademark can last indefinitely. Unless McIntosh sells or licenses the trademark nobody else can use that badge, the name, etc. depending on what McIntosh has registered.
How does the use of this badge or even the lookalike amplifier harm McIntosh? Mainly their image can be tarnished. If I were interested in buying a McIntosh, were at a friend/neighbor’s home and he had a nice MC275 playing music, and it sounded as bad as my Yaqin, I’d not have any interest in owning a McIntosh any more. I’d probably also tell others how bad it sounds and influence others against buying McIntosh. If that amp burns down the owner’s house, blows his speakers, electrocutes his cat, most people will read the first headline that it was a McIntosh that did this.
There are many reasons that intellectual property is one of the most valuable assets in companies, be it patents or trademarks. Designs take a lot of money to perfect and properly produce, and reputations take a long time to create and build. Simply taking a name, likeness, or design and selling your own under these names undermines all of that hard work, allows someone with no investment in that reputation and design to profit from it.
I spent years of my career engineering and inventing new products, also years of my career researching and writing utility patents, so that we could benefit from our hard work not some hack. I respect the work that McIntosh Engineers did decades ago to build that company’s products and reputation and am a strong proponent of shutting down counterfeits.
I wrestled a bit with buying aftermarket chassis for my MC75s, but as you found there are no other options. The new chassis will make my MC75s look like new, and they will sound like new (if I EVER get the project underway) and I see no way that it can harm McIntosh’s brand value nor will it take a penny of their revenue. However, there is the matter of the name McIntosh on the silk-screen lettering on the back, so technically it should be licensed (which I wish they would do).
I guess I’m the “pot calling the kettle black” in a way.
