• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

McIntosh value

ThomasD.

ThomasD.

Active Member
This CL ad has had my attention for awhile now. Can't really afford it but would really like to try some McIntosh gear out. Asking all those McIntosh aficionado's out there what their take on this equipment and it's listed price is. I'd like to acquire a little more of a knowledge base before I contact the seller. Thanks

https://anchorage.craigslist.org/ele/d/palmer-mcintosh-c28-mc2105-ml-1c/6772844826.html

McIntosh C28/MC2105/ML-1C - $2000 (Palmer)

image 1 of 4
00q0q_fOi0kv59uGm_600x450.jpg








condition: good
make / manufacturer: McIntosh

Vintage McIntosh system. Sounds great speakers cabinets are worn but mechanically sound. C28 preamp needs to be recapped. The MC2105 amplifier is in excellent condition and works great.
 
Register to hide this ad
That's about the going price as a set in such condition. I'd ask why the owner feels the recap is needed just to make sure it's not some other issues.
 
gogofast said:
That's about the going price as a set in such condition. I'd ask why the owner feels the recap is needed just to make sure it's not some other issues.
Click to expand...
Is that a good combination of equipment? Not at all familiar with specific McIntosh models.
 
ThomasD. said:
Is that a good combination of equipment? Not at all familiar with specific McIntosh models.
Click to expand...
Yes, those particular amp and the pre is a great combo. My first McIntosh SS setup was with those two, and I was blown away at first listen. Superb dynamics and smooth as butter.

I'm not a big fan of McIntosh speakers though. The ML-1C's weren't all that impressive to my ears even with the equalizer. There's no mention of equalizer, and if that's the case, you might consider using something else - if you end up getting them. Or negotiate a new price without the speakers. You may even re-sell the speakers since they go for so much nowadays.
 
Completely forgot about the EQ. I knew they were needed for the Mc. speakers but that completely slipped my mind with this ad.
Thanks for reminding me. I'll add that to my list of ??'s.
 
Seller texted back and says the Pre has a low level hum and was unaware of the need for an equalizer. ??
 
ThomasD. said:
Seller texted back and says the Pre has a low level hum and was unaware of the need for an equalizer. ??
Click to expand...
That hum, most likely, can be fixed by replacing the filter caps. If I remember correctly, the C28 has 15-18 'lytics and two dozen or so film caps.
 
Of course the hum could also be in the amplifier unless the seller ruled it out in some manner which hopefully, he did.

Asking price isn't totally unreasonable but you're probably looking at an easy $400 to refurbish the C28. The speakers have very little value unfortunately but it certainly doesn't hurt having them included in the deal.

Once serviced, the units would make the foundation of a great system. Good luck!
 
ThomasD. said:
Now the seller says speakers were sold. Asking price for equipment is now $1900.
Click to expand...

Add the potential $400 for repairs/restoration and you're at $2300. The same pair with nice wood cases, both electrically restored, went for about $1800 I think on local CL two days ago.
 
Your is alaska and so is this gear... Other than Snow I see little to no competition for you. Not enough meat on the bone for Snow! Id offer 1500.00 for the pair and sit back and wait for seller to come to their senses... Good luck...
 
slowpat said:
Add the potential $400 for repairs/restoration and you're at $2300. The same pair with nice wood cases, both electrically restored, went for about $1800 I think on local CL two days ago.
Click to expand...

Depends on the condition of which these units appears to be on the high side.

Can't always expect to beat/match the best bargain prices and of course, the condition of the units sold two days ago may not have been as nice. Limited options for buying McIntosh locally in AK may push average selling prices a bit higher too.
 
Sounds like a decent deal to me. I sold my 2105 needing a power switch and much worse cosmetics for 900 and got 700 for my basket case C28.
 
Seller may be playing me a bit. I offered just under $1500 for both. Texted back and says he now has a $1500 offer for the amp alone but wants to sell both items together.
 
He's yanking your chain. You should tell him he should go ahead and sell the amp for 1500, that's way over market price for a un serviced unit. But your offer still stands.
 
@ThomasD. I would pass at 1k myself no need or interest in any of it the amp is only 105 wpc and way way overpriced for what it is IMHO you can do much better for half the money unless you have to have the blue meters the Mc 2100 is the same amp without them and can be had for 600-750.00 any day, I have had the C28 before and was very dissapointed in the sound
 
Last edited:
@Snow kind of thinking along those lines. Its not a have to have item by any means. Have wanted to try some Mc. gear but am not that familiar with it. I know Carver, Marantz, Polk & Klipsch pretty well but Mc is brand new to me. Better wait until a better value shows up. Hi end equipment at reasonable prices doesn’t show up this far north very often. As you are aware. Are you still running Mc’s in any of your systems?
 
The Mcintosh 2105 (130wpc) and C28 are a nice combination. With wood cases this would be a good deal, without and not serviced it is just so-so.

The hum in the C28 is common in an un-serviced unit, search C28 grounds in the McIntosh forum. There are several points in the unit that need the grounds corrected to quiet the unit, but it is also due for some capacitor replacement. In good condition it is a very nice sounding unit and quite versatile.

The 2105 is a great sounding unit also. There is a service bulletin that outlines a fairly inexpensive modification that it should have to the driver boards to reduce the risk of it letting the smoke out of them. After that and the usual capacitor replacement it is a stout and musical unit, more iconic looking than the non-metered version but also carries a higher price.

I have no love for McIntosh speakers from that era, perhaps a matter of taste but they really aren't that sought-after, or at least weren't.

I don't see how you can go wrong if everything is there and functional, and I agree that $1,500 would make it well worth what it'll take to go through them and bring them up to proper condition. If your selection is fairly limited, the $1,900 might be your only chance for a while to get into this equipment and it might be worth the risk.

Oh, also note that in McIntosh gear condition & cosmetics are extremely important when gauging value. At that price the glass should have only minor "bubbling" around the panloc or headphone holes, nothing major. Same with the chrome on the chassis: any rust or pitting will decrease the value. Damage of any kind will also change its value.

On the C28 be sure that the volume pot is in good condition, the volume level should stay even L&R as you turn from full CCW through full CW. Any mismatch in gain or dropout can be major, that pot is NLA and the available replacements require some modification and a fair amount of labor. Common failure. Check the pots on the amp also.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom