Dr Morbius
Well-Known Member
Bose 601 series ll - godawful crappy speakers paid $575 and gave them away, literally!
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The worst piece of HiFi Equipment you've ever owned?
- Thread starter Inspector_Sw
- Start date
For my 17th? Birthday I wanted a stereo. With a tape deck to play my cassettes! I got the stereo! It was a soundesign receiver with a built in 8 track player 
(I have only owned one 8 track tape in my life) the speakers weighed about as much as 4 cassette tapes. And sparkomatics In a cardboard box may have sounded better. Well it was what I had so it is what I listened to. I saved my money and got a turntable. A nice mid level pioneer DD semiautomatic and an good ADC cart with and elliptical stylus. Only to come home and find the soundesign was built for ceramic carts!!! . Enter my first phono stage recoton I think. (Which ended up dieing when a spider electrocuted itself in on the system board but came back to life when another spider bridged something. I dunno all weird. )
I kept the pos for about 12 years though college.
It always worked but then so did my Motorola transistor radio. I transfered the speakers to my replacement receiver a kenwood. Finally got a real job and bought some better speakers....
Did I mention in our living room was a totl early 70's realistic audio system. I knew how bad the sound design system was but it was mine.
(I have only owned one 8 track tape in my life) the speakers weighed about as much as 4 cassette tapes. And sparkomatics In a cardboard box may have sounded better. Well it was what I had so it is what I listened to. I saved my money and got a turntable. A nice mid level pioneer DD semiautomatic and an good ADC cart with and elliptical stylus. Only to come home and find the soundesign was built for ceramic carts!!! . Enter my first phono stage recoton I think. (Which ended up dieing when a spider electrocuted itself in on the system board but came back to life when another spider bridged something. I dunno all weird. )I kept the pos for about 12 years though college.
It always worked but then so did my Motorola transistor radio. I transfered the speakers to my replacement receiver a kenwood. Finally got a real job and bought some better speakers....
Did I mention in our living room was a totl early 70's realistic audio system. I knew how bad the sound design system was but it was mine.
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As much as I have "lusted" after McIntosh units since 1964, I must also admit that their MSxxx series was probably the worst component(s) I have owned (and in the past 60 years I have had some terrible units).
When the MS300 was introduced, I had a library of 1,200+ CDs. The MS30 and the MS750 had the capacity to control three Sony 400 CD megachangers. I was wary of using the enormous mechanical changer system all the time. I knew that any complex mechanical system will eventually break down.
The MSxx units would record from the Sony changers (although only at "real time."). I hooked up all three Sony M555ES units to the MS750 and told it to record continuously, It took over a month to record all of the CDs at "real time.", and for a while I thought I was in "nirvana." I had the MS750 in my office system, and moved all "non-classical" material to the MS300 system for the house (since my wife would not tolerate anything classical in her house).
But then the power supplies in the MSxxx series raised their ugly head.
I know I should have backed up the material. But the "interface" between the MSxxx and Windows 10 did not work well for me. I may have successfully backed up 20% of the files.
By that time McIntosh had ceased support for the MS300 & MS70.
Researching several on-line forums I found no one who could positively identify the OS used in the MSxxx. One poster said it was the same OS as used on the first Mars Rover spacecraft. Others suggested some form of Linux. But there was NO definitive answer.
One forum thread discussed how to adapt certain specific laptop computer power bricks to provide the correct power to the MAC units. I found the proper power bricks and made the change on both units (home & office). Then they worked for about 18 months. Both units quit for the second within a month of each other.
In desperation to manually recording CDs individually, I bought two more MS750s on a bidding site. Both would "sort of" work, but would not interface with the Sony megachangers.
I am now back to "ripping" 1,200+ cds to a mirrored 20TB NAS drive.
Do I need to say I am NOT looking forward to manually ripping that many CDs manually?
The concept behind the MS300 and the MS750 was outstanding. If McIntosh had put the same quality design work in them as their other components, they might still be able to sell a bunch of them.
I found the interface (on a computer or other screen) to be well thought out and easy to navigate.
BUT - as it is, to me the McIntosh MS300 and MS750 were the WORST products Mac ever made.
Thanks,
Jim
P.S. I have 4 MS750s and one MS300 in a closet if anyone knows enough about unknown and obtuse computer OSs!
When the MS300 was introduced, I had a library of 1,200+ CDs. The MS30 and the MS750 had the capacity to control three Sony 400 CD megachangers. I was wary of using the enormous mechanical changer system all the time. I knew that any complex mechanical system will eventually break down.
The MSxx units would record from the Sony changers (although only at "real time."). I hooked up all three Sony M555ES units to the MS750 and told it to record continuously, It took over a month to record all of the CDs at "real time.", and for a while I thought I was in "nirvana." I had the MS750 in my office system, and moved all "non-classical" material to the MS300 system for the house (since my wife would not tolerate anything classical in her house).
But then the power supplies in the MSxxx series raised their ugly head.
I know I should have backed up the material. But the "interface" between the MSxxx and Windows 10 did not work well for me. I may have successfully backed up 20% of the files.
By that time McIntosh had ceased support for the MS300 & MS70.
Researching several on-line forums I found no one who could positively identify the OS used in the MSxxx. One poster said it was the same OS as used on the first Mars Rover spacecraft. Others suggested some form of Linux. But there was NO definitive answer.
One forum thread discussed how to adapt certain specific laptop computer power bricks to provide the correct power to the MAC units. I found the proper power bricks and made the change on both units (home & office). Then they worked for about 18 months. Both units quit for the second within a month of each other.
In desperation to manually recording CDs individually, I bought two more MS750s on a bidding site. Both would "sort of" work, but would not interface with the Sony megachangers.
I am now back to "ripping" 1,200+ cds to a mirrored 20TB NAS drive.
Do I need to say I am NOT looking forward to manually ripping that many CDs manually?
The concept behind the MS300 and the MS750 was outstanding. If McIntosh had put the same quality design work in them as their other components, they might still be able to sell a bunch of them.
I found the interface (on a computer or other screen) to be well thought out and easy to navigate.
BUT - as it is, to me the McIntosh MS300 and MS750 were the WORST products Mac ever made.
Thanks,
Jim
P.S. I have 4 MS750s and one MS300 in a closet if anyone knows enough about unknown and obtuse computer OSs!
luxmaster
Super Member
I've o
I've owned the MS300 and I would have to agree with you it was bad. It was a great concept but transferring took forever. Playback was slow. The OS was horribly designed
Lol, my KA-80. Love it, sounds great, has blown up three times. Inverted main board roasts the caps, and the power supply resistors for, of all things, the LAMPS burned holes in the board!
Blew an output module too when one of the PS caps for the phono amp vented out. If I ever put it back in use I'm going to use it upside down or put a fan on it.
Blew an output module too when one of the PS caps for the phono amp vented out. If I ever put it back in use I'm going to use it upside down or put a fan on it.
DeeDasGerede
New Member
Just to add to the misery:
I used to work selling hifi - separates and midi systems. We would get in these 'systems' from North Korea or wherever the F they were made.
They all had a moulded plastic front that was meant to look like separates - but fact it was like a hollow cardboard box with Christmas tree lights. The speaker were like Weetabix© with a vinyl veneer. The US could have flushed the Taliban out of Kabul with the sound of these stinkers.
People constantly returned them - and sometimes when you put on a CD you'd pick up Radio Luxembourg instead.
We asked the manager for a special request - that whoever got the most sale in a month that we could get one of these colostomy bags and smash it out the back with a baseball bat.
He said he didn't want to damage a perfectly good baseball bat.
Can't find the original - but here is something similar.
I used to work selling hifi - separates and midi systems. We would get in these 'systems' from North Korea or wherever the F they were made.
They all had a moulded plastic front that was meant to look like separates - but fact it was like a hollow cardboard box with Christmas tree lights. The speaker were like Weetabix© with a vinyl veneer. The US could have flushed the Taliban out of Kabul with the sound of these stinkers.
People constantly returned them - and sometimes when you put on a CD you'd pick up Radio Luxembourg instead.
We asked the manager for a special request - that whoever got the most sale in a month that we could get one of these colostomy bags and smash it out the back with a baseball bat.
He said he didn't want to damage a perfectly good baseball bat.
Can't find the original - but here is something similar.
audiocarp
New Member
I'm sure it's occurred to you that you could simply play the actual CDs as the mood strikes? I find the whole notion that playing music off a computer (or a phone) is easier than playing a CD to be a huge lie.
audiocarp
New Member
Wow, all three formats in one unit. And it's a dubbing deck, so it's even extra unreliable.
SimplerTimes
Super Member
I bet you could balance the whole thing on one finger too…
How is it a lie?
How is not moving from the couch potato throne wet spot, using my phone to control my streamer, like I just did last night, not easier than getting up to put the same CD in?
DeeDasGerede
New Member
Yup - if it was any lighter it would have floated away!I bet you could balance the whole thing on one finger too…
audiocarp
New Member
It depends on how you listen: If you're running your files on 'autopilot', then it's easier. But, if you actually want to listen to something specific, then you've gotta do some searching on your phone to find what you're looking for. But, what if you don't know what you want to listen to or can't remember the artist's name? Then, you're in browsing mode, which is quite hideous if you have a large collection.
I need to disagree, from somebody that does both, it's much easier to find something on my phone then it is thumbing through my CDs
Plus I can be sitting in The Sweet Spot looking for music on my phone!
Well, this was the company that speakers with the model POS-1 and POS-2. And that meant exactly what you think it meant. A joke, but not entirely a joke, by Arnie Nudell.
Regards,
Gordon.
Frbock
Active Member
Well, 2 or 3 way is a subjective experience. They both can cover the same frequencies.Well, this was the company that speakers with the model POS-1 and POS-2. And that meant exactly what you think it meant. A joke, but not entirely a joke, by Arnie Nudell.
Regards,
Gordon.
I have a set of Ohm Walsh 100 super 2 speakers, and they are 2 way. The woofers are good to about 30 hz, and the tweeters are good to 18khz.
The fact that you have to have 2 crossovers for a 3 way does add a little more complexity to the design
Frbock
Active Member
Since I cataloged all my albums and CDs into an Excel spreadsheet, I can find what I want pretty quick, and on which format. I did get rid of some duplicates.
I did keep Days of Future Past since there a lot of differences between the LP and CD versions.
beardsley
Active Member
Realistic (Radio shack) Clairinette receiver, Panasonic record changer, SCT-3B cassette and little un-numbered Panasonic rebranded speakers- my first stereo. It was one of the BOTL offerings in the Radio Shack catalog, I'm guessing around 1971 because I only vaguely remember my dad getting it. We were dirt poor when I was really young but my parents loved music and my crafty dad always figured out a way to get music in the house. I'm sure he had to lay that POS stereo away for months, he was a house painter in a small Missouri town in the 70s, not exactly lucrative career.
Later he would get a much nicer stereo and he handed me this one down.
The cassette player couldn't make any tape sound good. freq range was very limited. I don't even think it had Dolby B. The changer was primitive- similar to what you'd find in a budget console stereo: no adjustment of any sort, crappy cart, heavy needle. Probably prematurely wore out so many records that would have been collectable today, in good condition. And the speakers- might as well have been made of cardboard.
Eventually in high school I replaced it with good solid midfi stuff. I still remember the day I got all the pieces, finally. It was emotional. I had suffered so long with a garbage stereo. You know what I mean, I'm sure- gear so bad it had its own sound signature; boxy speakers, fuzzy cartridge, weak, limited-range amplifier which algother meant ****, and you just have ignore how bad it is. That's when you're hard up.
Later he would get a much nicer stereo and he handed me this one down.
The cassette player couldn't make any tape sound good. freq range was very limited. I don't even think it had Dolby B. The changer was primitive- similar to what you'd find in a budget console stereo: no adjustment of any sort, crappy cart, heavy needle. Probably prematurely wore out so many records that would have been collectable today, in good condition. And the speakers- might as well have been made of cardboard.
Eventually in high school I replaced it with good solid midfi stuff. I still remember the day I got all the pieces, finally. It was emotional. I had suffered so long with a garbage stereo. You know what I mean, I'm sure- gear so bad it had its own sound signature; boxy speakers, fuzzy cartridge, weak, limited-range amplifier which algother meant ****, and you just have ignore how bad it is. That's when you're hard up.