McIntosh MAC 4100 Could It Suck So Much ! ??

[sound passion]

Hello to all,
I like receivers, because I liver in Europe most of the receivers I used were Japanese or made in Europe such as Luxman R3045, Tandberg TR 2045 , Grundig R 45 or Saba 9140
But I always wanted the one made in USA and read a lot about the MAC 4100. Most of what I read was verypositive. The 4100 has generally great opinion based on the fact that the tuner , pre-amp and amplifier sections are generally fusions of great 3 separates. Well I wanted one very badly and finally I found one on German kleinanzeigen Classified site. The unit I got is cosmetically in excellent condition it was very well cared for. All the knobs/pods, switches work with out any scratching or other noisesall the lights work perfectly. However to my surprise this MAC unfortunately sounds nothing like good receiver should. It doesn't get anywhere near the Tandberg Tr 2045 .
1 It produces very annoying humming noise in my speakers regardless of the volume level( I have the Klipschorn speakers ) I know the K - chorns are very sensitive butall other receivers were very quiet with the volume down.
2 When Playing Turntable , CD, or stream from Smartphone the power is there the stereo separation is excellent but it all sounds like the music comes from behind the veil/ blanket. It isn't terrible but it's noticeable.
3 The FM tuner when connected to antenna overloads like crazy with a lot of distortion ( this is the early serial number 4100 and has no switch on the beck to correct the overload)

So my dilemma is: Should I invest more money in full restoration of the Mac 4100 that cost 3 time more then my non restored Saba or Tandberg but preform much worst ???
Can I really expect noticeable difference after good professional restoration ??
Can the Mac 4100 be silent with the volume down on the Klipschorns or this is impossible ?

 

[dinov]

Somethings wrong. Get it serviced, it’s worth it! It’s a beautiful receiver and you won’t lose your money. It probably needs to be recapped at a minimum but nevertheless have a good technician go thru it. Unfortunately, when you buy vintage gear, even McIntosh, they need repairs and care. Good luck. The 4100 is a great piece.

 

[sound passion]

Somethings wrong. Get it serviced, it’s worth it! It’s a beautiful receiver and you won’t lose your money. It probably needs to be recapped at a minimum but nevertheless have a good technician go thru it. Unfortunately, when you buy vintage gear, even McIntosh, they need repairs and care. Good luck. The 4100 is a great piece.

Thank you for taking your time to answer. I found something like this: McIntosh MAC4100 Recap Kit w/ Instructions Receiver Rebuild Set COMPLETE
I thought about buying this for a very good audio service man I know but as you can understand he don't work on McIntosh rigs often. Does this look like a good restoration kit in your opinion ?

 

[dinov]

Thank you for taking your time to answer. I found something like this: McIntosh MAC4100 Recap Kit w/ Instructions Receiver Rebuild Set COMPLETE
I thought about buying this for a very good audio service man I know but as you can understand he don't work on McIntosh rigs often. Does this look like a good restoration kit in your opinion ?

I used a kit once to recap an MR74 and it did the job, I still had another problem with a ground but I got another tech to fix that. Just remember, the issue could be more than just capacitors, so try to get a good technician to take a look at it and try to troubleshoot it first. Unfortunately , if you were stateside you could send it to Audio Classics in upstate NY, next to the MAC factory . It’s really worth the trouble though and it might be a labor of love but you’ll have a really nice unit Which will increase in value.

 

[sound passion]

I used a kit once to recap an MR74 and it did the job, I still had another problem with a ground but I got another tech to fix that. Just remember, the issue could be more than just capacitors, so try to get a good technician to take a look at it and try to troubleshoot it first. Unfortunately , if you were stateside you could send it to Audio Classics in upstate NY, next to the MAC factory . It’s really worth the trouble though and it might be a labor of love but you’ll have a really nice unit Which will increase in value.

Thank you.

 

[VintageMac]

Contact Patrice at Clinique-Audio. He is in France and is a top McIntosh repair person.

 

[62caddy]

Can I really expect noticeable difference after good professional restoration ??
Can the Mac 4100 be silent with the volume down on the Klipschorns or this is impossible ?

Hum should not be present with a MAC4100 operating to spec regardless of speakers. Based on your report of everything you've been experiencing, the MAC is in sore need of repairs.

Yes, expect a significant difference after being serviced. For a start, hum will be gone.

 

[charne@sprin]

Any piece of gear of that age will need service.

 

[markd51]

Contact Patrice at Clinique-Audio. He is in France and is a top McIntosh repair person.

Perhaps you wouldn't have to drive across Europe, unless driving distances are possibly considerable?

Patrice might possibly accept equipment shipped to him?

If it was me, I'd definitely inquire. This tech you mention might be very good, but having experience with McIntosh does go a long way. Just insure you properly pack such to withstand shipping, this is very important.

As for the FM Tuner, mine has the switch on back, but testing it on both settings, I have no problems with FM Reception either way and am in the midst of many stations in a large city.

For sure a full proper Tuner Alignment should be done, and this takes specialized equipment and knowledge.
The 4100 has a very good Tuner Section IMO, very good sensitivity, selectivity and fidelity.

And with good source components gets even better yet.

As for time, and living in Europe, consider that restoration for this unit could take a couple months to do give or take, in the possible event that specialty parts inherit to the 4100 have to be ordered-acquired.

The 4100 has very good specs for a receiver and should be silent at idle and while playing. Buying Kits will only be a guessing game, and a possible waste of money.

Once operating and performing properly, you'll likely not wish to part with it

 

[markd51]

In my best rendition of "Ivan Drago Speak", like when he told Rocky "I must Break You!"

"I Must Torture You!" LOL

Here's mine. Simply changed the 2 stock Festoon Dial Face Lamps to Cool Blue LEDs.
With the stock Yellow Gels, you get sort of a nice bright McIntosh Green.

 

[monkboughtlunch]

Hello to all,
I like receivers, because I liver in Europe most of the receivers I used were Japanese or made in Europe such as Luxman R3045, Tandberg TR 2045 , Grundig R 45 or Saba 9140
But I always wanted the one made in USA and read a lot about the MAC 4100. Most of what I read was verypositive. The 4100 has generally great opinion based on the fact that the tuner , pre-amp and amplifier sections are generally fusions of great 3 separates. Well I wanted one very badly and finally I found one on German kleinanzeigen Classified site. The unit I got is cosmetically in excellent condition it was very well cared for. All the knobs/pods, switches work with out any scratching or other noisesall the lights work perfectly. However to my surprise this MAC unfortunately sounds nothing like good receiver should. It doesn't get anywhere near the Tandberg Tr 2045 .
1 It produces very annoying humming noise in my speakers regardless of the volume level( I have the Klipschorn speakers ) I know the K - chorns are very sensitive butall other receivers were very quiet with the volume down.
2 When Playing Turntable , CD, or stream from Smartphone the power is there the stereo separation is excellent but it all sounds like the music comes from behind the veil/ blanket. It isn't terrible but it's noticeable.
3 The FM tuner when connected to antenna overloads like crazy with a lot of distortion ( this is the early serial number 4100 and has no switch on the beck to correct the overload)

So my dilemma is: Should I invest more money in full restoration of the Mac 4100 that cost 3 time more then my non restored Saba or Tandberg but preform much worst ???
Can I really expect noticeable difference after good professional restoration ??
Can the Mac 4100 be silent with the volume down on the Klipschorns or this is impossible ?

What country in Europe do you live in?

• Is your mains frequency 50Hz?
• What is the frequency of the hum you hearing? Is it 50Hz or 100Hz? If you are not sure, search for test clips on YouTube to compare.
• If it's 50Hz hum you may have a loose ground.
• If it's 100Hz hum your two main filter caps are suspect.
• Do you have technical skills?
• If so, with the power off, measure the dimensions of the two large factory filter capacitors
• Order two main filter capacitor replacements from Mouser, Digikey or Newark and replace. That may fix a 100Hz hum issue.
• Folks here can recommend good main filter cap replacements of proper dimension, capacitance and voltage spec.

 

[Refugee]

Don't buy a kit.
If you are sending it to a tech then let him know that the kit exists but allow him/her to choose whether that is the best way to go. The tech may have some parts in stock to use and also may choose a different level of quality for the parts to be ordered. They may be able to get better parts for the same or a lower price from their own sources.
Great unit! It will not disappoint when restored.