Panloc Question

[Mr. Analog]

Hey McIntosh Vets, need some help with what ought to be an elementary question: I've finally worked my way up through various vintage audio components to a McIntosh MA 5100 and MR 73 -- they sound great, but the cases are pretty rough. I want to replace the cases, but can't get the Panloc to release the chassis from the wooden case. Naturally I'm being gentle with my new loves... is finding the trick of releasing the Panloc a right of passage for McIntosh newbies? Thanks in advance for your help...

 

[dshoaf]

The sockets for the Panloc buttons can be seen from the back of the units. These are the 2 round - well, rounded - items mounted to the end of the Panloc brackets. While observing the back side, press one of the Panloc buttons on the front and watch how the socket moves. It is designed to rotate slightly so that the tangs will release.

So, I'm betting that your sockets are not rotating when you push on the front buttons. This is pretty normal given their age. No need to lub them, though. Its a simple mechanism and quite reliable.

Once both of the Panloc buttons have released the chassis, they will slide out a bit and then it will stop again due to the clips on the side of the chassis. This was designed so that you could pull the gear out a bit to adjust the controls found on top of some of the preamps and power amps such as the trim controls and the panel lighting switch. Push in the 2 clips on either side of the chassis and it will slide out.

Hope that helps.

Cheers,

David

 

[Mr. Analog]

Thanks David, gentling them along and peering in the back to observe the mechanism did eventually allow me to release them... again, thanks much... George