Restored Mac 1900 price?
- Thread starter HyKlas
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nj pheonix
Lunatic Member
I had a 1700 several years ago. I just restored a 1900 (i bought for my brother for retirement) Its still sitting here. Personally i like the 1900 better than the 1700 (though the 1700 wasn't restored so perhaps an unfair comparison). The little research i did seemed to put a clean 1900 somewhere in the 7-9 hundred range. I never heard a 4100 but based on reports its the sweet spot for mac receiverdom. (At least in the vintage market). I know Frank Mcintosh never wanted to put the Mcintosh name on the receivers (hence the Mac model #s) They're pretty nice! As with anything else , you're likely to get differing opinions.
i paid $700 for mine with wood case but not restored a couple years ago, im planning on selling this spring and hoping to just break even as prices dont seem to have improved.
nj pheonix
Lunatic Member
Honestly,
The 4 boards on top pull out. 3 vertical ones,
2 are held in by 2 screws, one by one. One held by one. Tuner board on stand offs. You need to squeeze barbs to release. Stand offs are brittle ( probably more so now 30 years later). If one breaks don't freak. Mac has them for a buck a piece and mouser has them for a dime a piece. One board on bottom you have to cut a few tywraps and unsolder (3? Maybe 4?) Wires.
Really easy to work on.
Cohibajoe had a good thread I aped
I had one too.
Feel free to reach out before you dig in and order parts maybe I can spare you some effort.
Sorry for the sidetrack OP
I recently heard a fully restored MAC1900 for the first time and IMO, it's as worthy a McIntosh product as any.
Product aesthetics tend to influence marketplace desirability/value and the MAC1900's oh-so-'70s slider tone controls definitely have more detractors than fans which are usually associated with more downmarket audio products of the era. Same for the rows of black plastic pushbutton controls.
The MAC1900 is a superbly engineered receiver otherwise with an excellent tuner section which shares technology with the revered MR74.
After hearing one, I would take an MAC1900 any day.
captouch
Addicted Member
I like mine a lot too, so definitely wasn't putting them down. I think it's a beautiful receiver with a distinctive style - the wood case is very nice too.
In its unrestored state, mine just sounds ultra-smooth and creamy. I could listen to it all day.
When I did a face-off against other vintage receivers, it seemed a bit rolled off with a bit less detail, but was very pleasant to listen to.
captouch
Addicted Member
Thanks for the heads up, and I will contact you before I embark on the recap journey on that one.
Did the sound change at all after the recap?
nj pheonix
Lunatic Member
I think it's cleaner now (more natural less warm)
The why I'm guessing at. I suspect the main caps PS were tired. Because I changed all the resistors on the top boards, it's possible some were out of spec. Same could be said of the films. Lastly I understand the tantalum caps are known to drift and cause distortion. Unless you run baseline testing ( which I really didn't and lack proper equipment to do so) I doubt you could give an honest answer. It does sound very nice now!
The why I'm guessing at. I suspect the main caps PS were tired. Because I changed all the resistors on the top boards, it's possible some were out of spec. Same could be said of the films. Lastly I understand the tantalum caps are known to drift and cause distortion. Unless you run baseline testing ( which I really didn't and lack proper equipment to do so) I doubt you could give an honest answer. It does sound very nice now!
BilboBaggins
Addicted Member
I have one in stock state. It is my second. The first was a bit battle scarred at the front. Up here in Canada, they seem to go for more, but I think it all depends. I think it is a beautiful receiver with plenty of power for a 55 wTt per channel receiver. It was better than an NAD C320BEE I once had no question!
Still have the 1900...I sold the 4100...For me the 1900 is that Perfect Mid-Town Manhattan 1 Bedroom receiver.
Just plain Sexy Smooth Jazz Club sound....
HyKlas
Super Member
Sorry for being late to reply. Wasn't expecting much more than a value estimate out of this thread. 
I'm not a receiver guy so it's a lot to digest. Just don't want to steer him in the wrong direction. But him not being a music guy per-se, I don't think he would really hear much sonic difference without an A/B test.
I know I would personally prefer the 1700 but I wouldn't want him running anything with tubes. The reliability of a good rebuilt full SS unit is in order here it seems.
Next week I'll plead my case, show some photos, and see what he has to say. If it's Marantz, it's Marantz. Who am I to say otherwise? I just know if something goes awry down the road, he'll come knocking for help, and I'd much rather work on the Mac's plug-in boards.
I'm not a receiver guy so it's a lot to digest. Just don't want to steer him in the wrong direction. But him not being a music guy per-se, I don't think he would really hear much sonic difference without an A/B test.
I know I would personally prefer the 1700 but I wouldn't want him running anything with tubes. The reliability of a good rebuilt full SS unit is in order here it seems.
Next week I'll plead my case, show some photos, and see what he has to say. If it's Marantz, it's Marantz. Who am I to say otherwise? I just know if something goes awry down the road, he'll come knocking for help, and I'd much rather work on the Mac's plug-in boards.
Marantz 2275 has plug in boards you might suggest that if he wants Marantz its kind of 50 50 between that and the 2270 from what i see people saying they like better. they are both awesome receivers.