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McIntosh repair/restore in SF Bay Area?

L

lucifer23

New Member
Hi all,

New to AK but wow, what a resource. I recently acquired an MC 2505 and an MX110. Both are in decent shape visually (except a cracked glass on the 2505). But of course, I want to get them checked over before powering up, brought to spec, etc. I plan to order a replacement glass and I'd like to get that installed as well. Anyone know the best (and most affordable) McIntosh tech who will do me right in the SF Bay Area (including Palo Alto, as that's where I work).

Thank you!
-David
 
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Box 'em up, and get them off to Terry DeWick. Trust me, it will be cheaper in the long run, and less expensive than anyone here - and it will be done right in the first place.

The 2505 already has a busted glass, take off the knobs and frame. For the MX110 remove the knobs, frame, etc. Double box and get the full DeWick update.

You have a really sweet set-up, one that I settled on and used everyday before using the 2300 with the Mx110 for everything. You should not need anything else for a long time, depending on your listening habits.

Trust me, I did the math of having some work done here in SoCal versus sending it to Terry, but I am a person that likes it done right the first time. This stuff is 40 years old and each needs tweaking. And since these pieces are special, it would be best. Terry takes extra care and knows these pieces very well.

Well, after this shameless PR for Terry, I guess I never answered your question. I guess I did in a way. Local people down here are not worth it and very expensive. And no, Terry is not my Uncle.:D
 
thread resurrection.. LM Electronics on Geneva is closing down this week after years of serving the Bay Area. Owner is retiring.
 
psychoaudio said:
thread resurrection.. LM Electronics on Geneva is closing down this week after years of serving the Bay Area. Owner is retiring.
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That's very bad (but not totally unexpected) news. The owner has maintained my Teac A3300S R-R a few times over the last 40 years, recently rebuilt the motor in my Dual 1219, fixed my Adcom power amp twice over the past 25 years and restored one of my MR-71s. All good work a reasonable prices. This is a major lose for my ability to maintain my ancient (vintage) stuff. Oh well . .
 
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The Bay Area, for all it's technical prowess, is sorely lacking in people that can repair/restore vintage audio. I know first hand.
 
Have no first hand experience with either of them, although I know that Champlifier does not work on tube gear.
 
Peter of World of Sound in milll valley works on tubes and is McIntosh authorized repair facility..having that title doesn't mean they do great work. And you're right Sberger, We have a limited McIntosh "gurus" with a proven track record in the Bay Area. You'll have to ship the unit out. What's your experience with sertech repairing McIntosh?
 
psychoaudio said:
Oh man that's no good. Next thing you know Mr DeWick retires.. Makes our situation worse..
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The old Masters need to take on apprentices and pass on their tribal knowledge. Although the demand for vintage repair might be trending down as us aficionados get older but I think they'll always be an interest. Kinda like Model T Fords - not very practical but cool from a cultural and historic perspective.
 
psychoaudio said:
Oh man that's no good. Next thing you know Mr DeWick retires.. Makes our situation worse..
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I'm sure they'll always be somebody good to ship stuff to. But I hate shipping stuff. One would hope(there's that word again) that at least in the larger areas of the country there would be folks who like to, and are capable of restoration. But I know that's not the case, and I doubt it will ever be. Bottom line is that if you buy this stuff, make sure it's in good order, or that you or somebody else you know can and will work on it to bring it around
 
psychoaudio said:
Oh man that's no good. Next thing you know Mr DeWick retires.. Makes our situation worse..
Click to expand...

If you have a mac unit that will have value after spending the repair money, I would contact Audio Classic and have them send you a shipping box. Then ship it to them as they have a great rep and work hand and hand with McIntosh that are very close to them.
 
sberger said:
None. They've [Sertech] had my Dynaco MKIII'S 2 months and I'm not confident on that outcome.
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I would not think of Sertech as a Mc repair place but I have used them for other things. In particular, they restored my AR 2ax speakers including re-cap, new level controls (could not rebuild the originals) and repair of one of the drivers (keeping all the drivers original) and the work was just fine. They also re-did the surround on a woofer from my 1988 car, replacing it with rubber and that was just fine, quick and not expensive.

Please post the results for your MK III's.
 
TSmith8605 said:
I would not think of Sertech as a Mc repair place but I have used them for other things. In particular, they restored my AR 2ax speakers including re-cap, new level controls (could not rebuild the originals) and repair of one of the drivers (keeping all the drivers original) and the work was just fine. They also re-did the surround on a woofer from my 1988 car, replacing it with rubber and that was just fine, quick and not expensive.

Please post the results for your MK III's.
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I agree with you on the Mac statement.

I'm going to leave them alone for another month, and then check in. I want to give them all the time they need, but frankly I am dismayed at how they've handled this. I brought these in, fully restored, after one of them started blowing fuses. I figured they're Dynaco MKIIIs, not very difficult to work on. But Norm, the lead guy, has hemmed and hawed his way toward an explanation as to why it's been difficult. I won't bore anyone here, but suffice to say I'm very skeptical. I know they're honest and trying, but 2 months with no sign of advancement is not confidence building.

Luckily, picked up a McIntosh MX110 last week, and am expecting a MC250 from Audio Classics next week, so I'm ok with letting them sit there until next month. That will be 3 months, and by then if they can't get it together, I'll get them and sell them as is.
 
I called a few places for apples to apples quotes and Terry DeWick came back with the best quote.
I'm not pressed on time.
 
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psychoaudio said:
No intention to pit one tech from another but I have called a few places for apples to apples quotes and Terry DeWick came back with the best quote.
I'm not pressed on time. I'm good with the lead time.
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I'd love to work with Terry. Just can't find the time to pack and ship. Maybe one day.
 
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