McIntosh MA-6100 value?

KeithD

KeithD

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One is listed for sale locally. Listing says it works perfectly, and only has a faceplate blemish, which I can't see in the couple of photos posted. Asking price was $1100, now down to $950.

I have never owned or even heard a McIntosh. My current lineup can be seen in my signature, and before becoming a "Sansui convert" I had several 70's Pioneers, Kenwoods and a Yamaha.

Interested in "trying" McIntosh, but have no idea if this is a good unit, or if the price is such that I would not loose money If I decide I don't like the sound and want to sell.
 
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The 6100 is an old integrated amp (1972-79). It remains, 50 years on, a very popular unit. (I haven’t owned a 6100, but I’ve had separates from that period and liked them a lot.) $950 is a good price. That said, if nothing else, it needs to be serviced by a licensed tech. Consider that service is going to add to the final cost. Add cost of shipping if you have to ship. It’s probably a decent piece of kit, but you have to make sure it has all the features you need. I’d call Audio Classics in Vestal, NY (they have at least one 6100 for sale right now), and ask how much it is. Ask for Ryan or Steve. Any piece of McIntosh from their inventory will be fully functional and serviced and will arrive in great condition. They’ll stand behind it. I’d also explore my options with them over the phone. Explain your system to them; what you’re thinking; that you’re considering dipping your toe into Mac. They can make suggestions on their full line of used and new McIntosh gear at your price point. Happy hunting.
 
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Bushikan said:
The 6100 is an old preamp (1972-79). It remains, 50 years on, a very popular unit. (I haven’t owned a 6100, but I’ve had separates from that period and liked them a lot.) $950 is a good price. That said, if nothing else, it needs to be serviced by a licensed tech. Consider that service is going to add to the final cost. Add cost of shipping if you have to ship. It’s probably a decent piece of kit, but you have to make sure it has all the features you need. I’d call Audio Classics in Vestal, NY (they have at least one 6100 for sale right now), and ask how much it is. Ask for Ryan or Steve. Any piece of McIntosh from their inventory will be fully functional and serviced and will arrive in great condition. They’ll stand behind it. I’d also explore my options with them over the phone. Explain your system to them; what you’re thinking; that you’re considering dipping your toe into Mac. They can make suggestions on their full line of used and new McIntosh gear at your price point. Happy hunting.
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Agree, if nothing has been serviced, then it's living on borrowed time. I have about 5 years experience servicing my own equipment, done full recaps, replaced transistors, diodes, trim pots, etc. Are McIntosh of a nature that you can't or should not service them yourself? I did look up the service manual on HiFiengine, and it seems a bit sparse compared to what I am used to with other manufacturers. For example, there is no listing of the transistors used in this unit, just their position and Mac's part number, but not the actual identity of the transistor. I'd just like to get an idea of what transistors they used in various locations.
 
KeithD said:
Agree, if nothing has been serviced, then it's living on borrowed time. I have about 5 years experience servicing my own equipment, done full recaps, replaced transistors, diodes, trim pots, etc. Are McIntosh of a nature that you can't or should not service them yourself? I did look up the service manual on HiFiengine, and it seems a bit sparse compared to what I am used to with other manufacturers. For example, there is no listing of the transistors used in this unit, just their position and Mac's part number, but not the actual identity of the transistor. I'd just like to get an idea of what transistors they used in various locations.
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Just more legwork, same as starting to work on any other brand they have their quirks. The SM's are pretty good IMO and there's plenty of cross reference lists for the transistors. A lot of garbage electrolytics in these....like most USA made I would replace as much as you can.
 
OK, looks like I have one opinion that the price is good for an unrestored/serviced unit. Wonder if there are any others?

I think I'll also post in either the McIntosh or Sansui forum about how the sound of an MA-6100 compares to the Sansui gear I currently have. If anyone has experience with both and wants to share an opinion here, that'd be welcome too. I think a direct comparison between the MA-6100 and Sansui AU-9900 would be very helpful.
 
I can give you a direct comparison between an MA-6200 and an AU-9900. I actually had them in a shootout along with a Pioneer SA-9500. The Pioneer did everything less well than the AU-9900 and the MA-6200. I found I preferred the MA-6200 with some speakers and the AU-9900 with other speakers. I think I created a thread about it. That was about 5 years ago. If I remember correctly, I was comparing Kef 103.2s, EPI M100, and something else. My results were a little skewed because it turned out I had a crossover issue with the Kef 103.2s. All resolved now, and I still have the MA-6200 and the AU-9900. I love both of them. They are in my storage unit at the moment, but I hope to get them out later this month.
 
BilboBaggins said:
I can give you a direct comparison between an MA-6200 and an AU-9900. I actually had them in a shootout along with a Pioneer SA-9500. The Pioneer did everything less well than the AU-9900 and the MA-6200. I found I preferred the MA-6200 with some speakers and the AU-9900 with other speakers. I think I created a thread about it. That was about 5 years ago. If I remember correctly, I was comparing Kef 103.2s, EPI M100, and something else. My results were a little skewed because it turned out I had a crossover issue with the Kef 103.2s. All resolved now, and I still have the MA-6200 and the AU-9900. I love both of them. They are in my storage unit at the moment, but I hope to get them out later this month.
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I'd be running an MA-6100 with either KLH 5 or 6 for speakers. I suspect I'd end up with the same conclusion you came to if I compared an MA-6100 to AU-9900 or several of my other Sansui's. I expect they'd sound different from each other, but one not better than the other, just different.
 
KeithD said:
I'd be running an MA-6100 with either KLH 5 or 6 for speakers. I suspect I'd end up with the same conclusion you came to if I compared an MA-6100 to AU-9900 or several of my other Sansui's. I expect they'd sound different from each other, but one not better than the other, just different.
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I think the KLH 6s would be perfect with the MA-6100. I've never had the KLH 5s, but I imagine they would go well together.
 
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