More discussion about meter lights color? It's just an observation

[BorisBadenuf]

It's just something I noticed and am baffled by. It's not a complaint, and I'm not freaking out about it. I just purchased my first McIntosh gear, a used MC7150. It's beautiful, and the front glass plate was just replaced before I bought it. During the day the meter boxes are a turquoise blue; as I was expecting them to be, when the unit is turned off, or when it's powered on. At night, in a dark room however the meter boxes are green. They're no longer turquoise, they're definitely green.
Has anybody else experienced this phenomenon with their gear?
I'm curious. I think about stuff.

 

[VintageMac]

I think what you are seeing in the daytime is the reflection of the blue film on the back of the glass as the dominant color. At night you are seeing the light from behind the meter housing. I Have a couple of MC7150s and as the bulbs burn out (there are three behind each meter) the color gets greener.

 

[BorisBadenuf]

the meter boxes are bright enough so I don't think there are any lights burned out. interesting. I do have a light, or two? that have burned out behind the McIntosh name and the unit's name. At night I can't read either the McIntosh or the MC7150. No big deal though. As nice as it is to look at it, ( simply a beautiful piece of equipment ) it's even nicer to listen to the music flowing through it.
thanks for your observation.

 

[markd51]

If you can ask the past owner, or whomever changed the faceplate, you can ask what was done, or perhaps investigate yourself and look at what was done?

Non-stock Lamps, their colors, and possibly even Gels were swapped to something else?

And I have read some stories from other folks, and right here on this forum, that some of these Faceplates that McIntosh are re-issuing are not accurate reproductions, some I think like the MC-2105 has areas that no longer even illuminate. Why would they do something like that?!

This might be the case with your replacement faceplate, the Lamps inside work, but the light has no way of passing through to illuminate certain areas?

Not many good vids of the 7150 out there, but here's one. Sorry that it is crappy

 

[markd51]

Besides possible anomalies with what McIntosh did with this particular replacement Faceplate, there could've been an odd choice of lamps used, likely LEDs thrown in as well while this unit was worked on.

And Gels could be different as well.

Sounds like you got a Mac, that doesn't look like a Mac? Might be of help if you could post some pics?

And you won't actually know unless such is looked at and what was actually done?
You say the McIntosh Logo doesn't even illuminate? I'm sorry to sound harsh, but that would be a deal breaker with me that such is altered in such a way. Unless such was simply a burned out Lamp.

You say such doesn't really bother you, but myself I am very anal and OCD, and would be especially if McIntosh which one today is spending considerable money upon.

I recently threw different Cool Blue LED Lamps in my MAC 4100, but can go back stock in 10 minute's time if I choose.

As for correct appearance, and chatting with many folks here recently who have better experience and expertise than I do, that with all the various LED Lamps made today, no matter what they are, warm white-etc, none will give the precise look, the color hue, and intensity of the original Lamps used by the factory.

That one might be able to come close. But start throwing in Green, Blue, or Cool White LEDs, the unit is going to look different from stock. Same with a change of and/or incorrect color Gels used.

 

[markd51]

Here's another vid, but at this point in time, and what others have done under the knife with all these vintage units, it's hard to know what's been done, of what's correct and what isn't?

This particular unit doesn't look right to me, Hard to say what was done, and so do many others in vids I'm seeing, so I can find no definitive true "reference" with the 7150 to properly aid you.