McIntosh 2105 deal or no deal?

Quick question regarding the L/R gain controls on the MC2105.
Are they simply volume controls or is there more to it?...Does anyone find a difference in sound quality when running the gain controls at full power and controlling volume with a preamp?...right now I'm running my 2105 at half volume on the gain switches. Just wanted to get some opinions. Thanks.
 
I run mine at about half (see below) because it gives me more control with the pre-amp volume control.

(I used a CD test tone and set the amp gain controls for the same meter reading in each channel at 1/2 pre-amp volume. It gives me some sense of assurance that there is reasonable balance between channels. The amp controls are not exactly the same, but pretty close.)
 
dsd-7 said:
Quick question regarding the L/R gain controls on the MC2105.
Are they simply volume controls or is there more to it?...Does anyone find a difference in sound quality when running the gain controls at full power and controlling volume with a preamp?...right now I'm running my 2105 at half volume on the gain switches. Just wanted to get some opinions. Thanks.
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The volume pots simply shunts the incoming signal. Some folks like to leave them turned down and that's their choice. With the amp pots turned down, you're turning the pre up to compensate.

Regardless, roughly a 2v incoming signal will drive them the amp to full power. I leave mine wide open, all the time and use the pre to adjust the volume.

Murray
 
Many found that to minimize the "working noise" (hiss) on bright or very efficent speakers the combo was quieter with the amps gain set at straight up..12oclock.
 
jchouston said:
Is there any consensus as to the effect on sound with regards to the gain settings?
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That was basically my question jc. Seems like there are different thoughts on this. I am continuing to run my amp at half gain, but am definately experimenting with it. However, the "hiss" that was mentioned has never been an issue for me at full gain. My speakers are not the most efficient, so that explains it for me.
 
Does anyone know how to determine the manufacture date of the MC2105?? I have two "performace certified" clinic stickers on top. One is dated 8/13/73 with Dave O'Brien's initials, and the other is from 8/11/75. Any help is greatly appreciated as I could not find any info when using google.
 
keep the one with Dave's signature on it. I hear it makes it worth more. My c33 had several clinic stickers on it when I got it, I did not know about DOB sigs being desirable when I got it and I peeled them all off caiuse they were on the top plate next to the controls and I thought it was ugly. Now I wish I had left them there.
 
jdwk said:
keep the one with Dave's signature on it. I hear it makes it worth more. My c33 had several clinic stickers on it when I got it, I did not know about DOB sigs being desirable when I got it and I peeled them all off caiuse they were on the top plate next to the controls and I thought it was ugly. Now I wish I had left them there.
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Thanks for the tip JDWK. I am leaving both the stickers on there for sure, but I have not heard that Dave's signature clinic sticker would actually make it worth more money. Wow! I am really curious as to when my MC2105 was made. Nice avatar by the way...Is that a C28 preamp you are using? I am looking for a nice C26, C28, MX110, etc...Not sure what I will end up with.
 
Does anyone know if its possible to determine the manufacture date of the MC2105?? I could not find any info on this.
 
dsd-7 said:
Does anyone know if its possible to determine the manufacture date of the MC2105?? I could not find any info on this.
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Sometimes McIntosh may be able to tell you. I have heard there exists a chart for serial numbers but I have not personally seen it. The Serial numbers often start with a letter A being earlier obviously and it goe down. My 2205 Starts with a C which I have been told means its one of the later ones.
 
jdwk said:
Sometimes McIntosh may be able to tell you. I have heard there exists a chart for serial numbers but I have not personally seen it. The Serial numbers often start with a letter A being earlier obviously and it goe down. My 2205 Starts with a C which I have been told means its one of the later ones.
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There is a chart for serial numbers, although it just tells you the beginning serial number and the ending one. It also includes the dates of manufacture, but not specific dates for which serial numbers. All of the information from this chart has been utilized on Berner's McIntosh site, and if you click on the PDF form it will tell you serial numbers, dates, and how many were made. With some time, you may be able to nail down the year and month.
 
Is there any relevance, importance or enhanced value regarding the date of manufacture of certain amps? I know 2205's like mine had such a long production run that I can't imagine that it would matter when it was produced.
 
Thanks for the info guys. I will track down this chart and attempt to determine a rough idea of the age of my 2105. JC Houston, I do not think that the age makes any difference in the value. From my newbie McIntosh experience, it always seems the components condition/restoration/cosmetics/etc dictates the price. However, there may be Mac experts that will provide a different awnser, as I am not 100% sure.
 
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