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Repair tech recommendation SF CA area

entreat11

entreat11

Member
Hello,

I have a McIntosh MC2100 Amp that has 2 issues, 1st is a broken solder joint on the input jack and 2nd is low output on the left channel.

I am looking for a reliable repair tech in the bay area who is reasonably priced, I am located in San Francisco. Would like someone who is able to give me a quote for either the above issues or a quote not to troubleshoot and just be able to bring the MC2100 up to spec. This quote would include labor + parts.

Thank you,

michael
 
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entreat11 said:
Hello,

I have a McIntosh MC2100 Amp that has 2 issues, 1st is a broken solder joint on the input jack and 2nd is low output on the left channel.

I am looking for a reliable repair tech in the bay area who is reasonably priced, I am located in San Francisco. Would like someone who is able to give me a quote for either the above issues or a quote not to troubleshoot and just be able to bring the MC2100 up to spec. This quote would include labor + parts.

Thank you,

michael
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I've dealt with Sertech, and was not impressed. I have heard good things about Champlifier in Alameda.
 
Thank you for your reply, I will check them out and see. I have never had gear repaired before so this is the first time for me, i dont mind a couple of hundred but want to make sure things get repaired correctly and money does not get dumped into a black hole......
 
We used to have a great McIntosh tech in SF but he retired a couple years ago leaving us in a lurch. I have also used Sertech a couple times (not for Mc stuff) and they were fine but don't specialize in any particular brand. And they're a long way from SF way down in San Jose. They are a great asset for me and I hope they stay around - but I'd rather send my McIntosh stuff to a more specialized shop.

So I would be interested in knowing about a good local McIntosh tech also.

Note that most repair shops like this charge a non-refundable fee to evaluate, diagnosis and estimate repair cost. If you choose to have the repair done, the fee applies towards the estimated repair cost, else you lose the fee. I have paid from like $50 to $80 for these estimates and have always had the repair done.

But my advice is to call Audio Classics in New York (800-321-2834 or 607-766-3501 Open 8AM to 5PM Mon - Fri) and work with them. They will work with you to get your amp safely and cheaply shipped to and from their site properly packed and they are McIntosh experts. They will repair and / or restore your amp correctly and for a reasonable price. It might cost a bit more to use them, but it will be worth it for the quality of work, etc.

The problem is that living in the Bay Area has become too expensive for people who provide such services. Maybe Google can fix your amp (sarcasm on Saturday).
 
thanks for your response.

I wrote a couple of techs that are local here, Champlifier in Alameda (which was mentioned above) and Nick Gowan at True Sound. I have not had gear restored so i want to understand the costs associated and such.

Unfortunately because of the different variables no one is able to provide an estimate on what it would cost to even restore, i.e. hours needed to take apart, remove and replace all components clean up then reassemble at how much per hour. This is something that I am looking for to understand, even if just an estimate that would vary by $100/$150 is acceptable.

I would like to have audio classics repair it as well. How much is shipping + the cost of the box/crate usually run or estimate if you have done it before?

btw - yes i tried google for a while but its all above my head on capacitors and what voltage things should be putting out.

Thanks for your advice.

michael
 
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If you are unable to find a local resource, feel free to give us a call at the McIntosh Service Center, located in a suburb of Minneapolis. We would be more than happy to discuss your concerns and answer any questions about our products. Our telephone number is (952) 894-5580. If you call, ask for Evan in McIntosh Service. Mark - McIntosh Service Center.
 
AbSoundLabsMN said:
If you are unable to find a local resource, feel free to give us a call at the McIntosh Service Center, located in a suburb of Minneapolis. We would be more than happy to discuss your concerns and answer any questions about our products. Our telephone number is (952) 894-5580. If you call, ask for Evan in McIntosh Service. Mark - McIntosh Service Center.
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Thanks for the above info, I am trying to avoid boxing it up and shipping it, I am possibly going to take it Scott, but if something does not pan out I will be in touch to find out more.
 
World of Sound in Mill Valley is a McIntosh dealer that I just found (although he's been there for 30-ish years). I dropped by yesterday to check it out and he says he does have an in-store repair shop and does work on older McIntosh. You might want to research that more. Might be a good option and much closer to SF than SJ.

Note I am not affiliated nor have I used his services.
 
Hi Everyone! Thanks for the recommendations, I somehow missed world of sound in my searches, thats for letting me know about that. i will keep that in mind for any future repairs. I dropped off the 2100 yesterday to Scott so hopefully I did make the right choice, but based on his history and knowledge I think everything should be fine. I will update in the next couple of weeks once I get it back.

thanks!

michael
 
wanted to close this out. Scott Frankland did a good job on the MC2100 repair and it sounds good and was finally brought back to life!
 
entreat11 said:
wanted to close this out. Scott Frankland did a good job on the MC2100 repair and it sounds good and was finally brought back to life!
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Just curious, did he provide a list of the exact work done and parts replaced? Did he also bench test the amp against specs and provide the results?

I think I used this person years ago to repair my VPI Power Line Conditioner. The problem was that the PLC would shut off power to the turntable and seeming random times in the middle of a listening session. The repair, which worked, consisted of cutting ventilation holes in the top and bottom of the cabinet.

- Thx.
 
Yea the work took about 2 weeks to complete.

He did provide a list of what was done and what he replaced along with what he tried. No he did not bench test/provide results to me that I am are of but, i did ask him about the output and he did give me a number.
 
entreat11 said:
Yea the work took about 2 weeks to complete.

He did provide a list of what was done and what he replaced along with what he tried. No he did not bench test/provide results to me that I am are of but, i did ask him about the output and he did give me a number.
Click to expand...

OK, Thx.
 
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