longwalker
Member
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MCS stereo, good deal?
- Thread starter longwalker
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relaximus
Consoles 'Я' Us
Huge yes. Worth the asking price? No. Overpriced x2 IMHO. It's large to support the real-estate needed for the gee-whiz lights of the equalizer, not due to huge caps and heatsinks inside. At half that price, I might be tempted just because of the weirdness factor. Regardless of its sise, AFAIK, it's power output would not put it in the monster class of receivers.
Dave
Dave
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relaximus
Consoles 'Я' Us
I was not meaning to trash MCS receivers as a whole. Yes, your 3125 is a very nice receiver. From what I've read, quite a warm character to its sound. Somewhat like the better LR series of Lafayette receivers of the period.
Dave
krowmagnum
Compulsive speaker freak
Wow ! Never seen anything with that many doo-dads on one face.
Worth $150 ? Probably for the cheese factor alone...
Worth $150 ? Probably for the cheese factor alone...
Jcp
I've always associated these with JCPenney Co. That's where I saw them being sold. I've seen info that many differenet suppliers made the components and MCS name was put on. Some of the pieces were made by what has become considered "good" companies. Sister components include the Concept stuff (Pacific Stereo, I'm led to believe).
I've always looked down on them, but I olny see the cheap stuff. God knows I've been wrong before. But $150 would go a long way towards a more well known and respected unit.
I would do a lot more research on who made this model but $50 is my limit on an "also ran" horse like this. Even then, I'd be really skeptical. I've never seen anyone that I considered "audio sophisticated" run MCS. Just my 2-bits.
I've always associated these with JCPenney Co. That's where I saw them being sold. I've seen info that many differenet suppliers made the components and MCS name was put on. Some of the pieces were made by what has become considered "good" companies. Sister components include the Concept stuff (Pacific Stereo, I'm led to believe).
I've always looked down on them, but I olny see the cheap stuff. God knows I've been wrong before. But $150 would go a long way towards a more well known and respected unit.
I would do a lot more research on who made this model but $50 is my limit on an "also ran" horse like this. Even then, I'd be really skeptical. I've never seen anyone that I considered "audio sophisticated" run MCS. Just my 2-bits.
longwalker
Member
Thanks everyone, I think this is kind of a "Kabuki" stereo, will steer clear.
jocko_nc
Super Member
I had one of those. Replaced the power cord and gave it to a frind of my son's. Not worth it at all. Big, yes. Build quality is nowhere near a Pioneer of the same vintage. That is why it was MCS. Early MCS was higher quality, that unit is somewhere between Pioneer and Soundesign.
I got mine for $10.00.
I got mine for $10.00.
gladiator335
MRTI
I had one like that. Not a bad sounding receiver, but when it was time to Deox-it it was a huge PITA! Got rid of it eventually.
bobaloniny
newt
I have a rule of thumb when approaching mcs (penneys) and LXI (sears) in person. Look at each individual case on its own, as mentioned some are def sleepers, some are junk. Im trying to recall, seems not so long ago I saw one of something that looked alot like in a thread elsewhere around here..much to as I recall, a rave. Might not have been this model though
Hifirob2
NEC and Klipsch rock!
ummmm....ok
I'll extend an open invite to you (and anyone else) to swing by and give my main system a critical listen - all MCS except the speakers (Klipsch). Not because I'm blindly pro-MCS, but because it sounds better than the Pioneer and Kenwood pieces I had before it. There are a few unknown gems wearing the MCS name. I listen with my ears, not my eyes, so brand generalizations are useless to me. (just my 2-bits)
I'm more pro-NEC, and NEC built this 3275, and cheese factor aside, it has better than decent build quality (MCS pieces are hit or miss). Discrete parallel push pull output transistors. A deoxit nightmare, yes, but that's in part because of the high quality sealed Alps volume pot. Something I've never seen on any LXI or Soundesign stuff - and only on the better vintage Pioneer and Kenwood amps. If you are unfamiliar with any NEC pieces, find some late 70's through 80's NEC integrated amps, and open them up. Completely over-built throughout, IMHO.
I'd offer $50 for this piece, just to have it for my collection.....:yes:
Ironically enough, if this piece wore the NEC name and model number (AUR-8075) that it really is, it probably could sell for $150, and be considered a fair price. Funny how marketing, branding, and perceptions work. :yes:
Rob
Rome
Holsum Honey Buns
Mcs 3275
I also extend an invite to stop by & listen to my MCS 3275 connected to either my AR-3as or 5. This receiver may have a lot of knobs on it, but it is all business. The tuner picks up stations with ease, even without an antenna.
That price is on the high side, but I would offer the already stated $50 to see if a deal could be made.
Here is a picture of mine:
Rome
I also extend an invite to stop by & listen to my MCS 3275 connected to either my AR-3as or 5. This receiver may have a lot of knobs on it, but it is all business. The tuner picks up stations with ease, even without an antenna.
That price is on the high side, but I would offer the already stated $50 to see if a deal could be made.
Here is a picture of mine:
Rome
cgutz
AK Member
My wife had a MCS 3260 when we got married in 1986. Years ago the tuner section buttons quit. I relegated it to powering the small speakers for our synthesizer. I hadn't been using it much since my main amp is a TA4650 Vfet.
The other day, out of boredom, I opened it, cleaned the tuner buttons, and it began working.
I couldn't find anything inside to indicate manufacterer. Other than that it is 60 wpc, I know nothing about.
Any MCS fan's know more? Maker, quality, etc? TX
The other day, out of boredom, I opened it, cleaned the tuner buttons, and it began working.
I couldn't find anything inside to indicate manufacterer. Other than that it is 60 wpc, I know nothing about.
Any MCS fan's know more? Maker, quality, etc? TX
Hifirob2
NEC and Klipsch rock!
Did you happen to take any photos of the insides while you had it opened up? If so, maybe post a few pictures. I know of a few versions of the 3260 - only minor differences on the outside, but who knows about the inside? They designed it to have a resemblance to Technics, but I've never poked around inside of one to compare. My guess would be NEC, only because the better receivers and integrated amps from around the same era were NEC built.
I've been close to snagging one from ebay - only to tear it apart and compare it to pieces higher up (and lower down) the model range. If the tuner has 4 gangs, and the amp uses NEC brand NPN & PNP output transistors, I just may have to hunt one down.
Rob
