New to me McIntosh 1700

[SonofJames]

Thread resurrection:

I Just picked up a Mac 1700 from a beautiful gentlemen who was a peach. Price was very fair and it was gone through my a mac tech. He had it hooked up to Klipsch Belle's and the sound was divine. I just have KLH17 for now hooked up and they sound is good but they deserve a better speaker so I will start my quest looking. Recommendations very welcome if you have any. I understand efficiency with 40-60W is important,

Do you guys keep your case screwed into the chassis or just loose ?

Any recommendations for a FM antenna that can pull in 100 miles ?

My power switch seems in good shape, no crackles anywhere else. The only thing I did was spray Detoxit and clean the input/output jacks and speaker terminals.

I love the full, warm, controlled sound, you can really hear those Mac transformers on the low end. I'm not a big FM guy, but the tuner seems very nice. It certainly is great to have two phono inputs for both of my Dual's (1019, 1029), everything seems to be here to make vinyl rips to my Macbook.

 

[62caddy]

I understand efficiency with 40-60W is important..

High sensitivity speakers (ie: > 92/93 dB) isn't critical with amplifiers in the MAC1700's power class for most listeners.

Do you guys keep your case screwed into the chassis or just loose ?

I would recommend it.

Any recommendations for a FM antenna that can pull in 100 miles ?

Good FM reception depends on a number of variables in addition to the antenna installation but a clean FM signal from a 100 mile distant transmitter even with the finest antenna with the MAC1700 is going to be seriously challenging, especially in stereo.

you can really hear those Mac transformers on the low end.

Amplifier design of the MAC1700 doesn't use output transformers but it's an excellent amplifier all the same.

I'm not a big FM guy, but the tuner seems very nice.

It is.

It certainly is great to have two phono inputs for both of my Dual's

If I'm not mistaken, each phono input has different input sensitivity.

 

[62caddy]

Strike my earlier comment re: Phono Input sensitivity. It's 2.4 mV for each input.

 

[JesusChrysler]

So do you recommend screwing the case tight or keeping it loose?




Matt

 

[62caddy]

"Corporal Briggs, we have a comedian in our midst..."

 

[JesusChrysler]

"this is my rifle, this is my gun"




Matt

 

[SonofJames]

My 1700 came without the screws for the cover/case. Does anyone have the screw size btw ?

@62caddy Any particular speakers you like with the 1700 ?

Yes, both Dual's seem too work per normal.

 

[62caddy]

My 1700 came without the screws for the cover/case. Does anyone have the screw size btw ?

@62caddy Any particular speakers you like with the 1700 ?

Yes, both Dual's seem too work per normal.

It's a weird screw that's used for the MAC1500/1700 - partially threaded with permanent washers on. I'd check with Audio Classics.

As to speakers, around 89 dB sensitivity or greater with 8 or 4 ohm impedance should be fine.