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Underdogs - Undervalued Vintage Receivers

Nothing clinical about this....

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Agreed...Sherwood! Wish I could have kept my S-9910, but had to sell off when I stopped working this year. Snatch it up if you find one of the top models...
 
I picked up a JVC AX-90VBK in a package deal a few years back. I sent it off to college with my daughter, then got it back when she graduated and moved on. It then did service driving the EV Dominators in my warehouse. Unfortunately, heat, cold, dust, moisture, and a few bumps with the forklift finally did it in. During it's life, however, it was quite surprising and pleasing to the ear.
 
slowpat said:
Unfortunately, we on AK have something to do with that jump in price. If you found that MCS in the attic, and you google that model, 90% of the time, the results show the discussions in AK forums about how undervalued it is and prices will be going up, and get in on the ground floor now...and in subsequent years, discussions on how the prices have doubled, etc.
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Maybe so, but I picked one up today for less than a tank of gas. Most people don't Google values or info of things that they view as old crap. If they don't have interest in it, they assume others don't either.
 
Or they're happy to move it out at 50 cents on the dollar to the first caller and be done with it.
 
bobdod said:
MCS 3125
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:bowdown:

Damn!! Jealous.

I’m thinking of picking up a 3285. It is ugly as sin but I’ve read so many good things about it here from @Hifirob2 and others and they go hella cheap even “retail” prices. They can be had in good working and cosmetic condition for $100 or less shipped.

I think I must be in a more informed area because I literally never see crazy ass deals like that. Neither in-person nor relentlessly scouring local online classifieds.
 
It's not common here at all to find a good deal. My first 3125 came to me for free from a CL ad that I got lucky to stumble into right after it was posted. I don't constantly look at ads so just got lucky there. The guy said it wasn't working, but after a recap and replacement of a few resistors, it's been rock solid reliable.

The one I picked up yesterday was a bit of an odd scenario. It was posted to marketplace with an asking price that was fair for an unrestored unit. It was a high enough price to keep flippers away. The seller wasn't a flipper, but also not fully informed either. I told him that it was a cool vintage unit, worthy of a restoration, and offered him a bit less than was being asked. When I came to pick it up, it was set up in the garage for audition. I didn't even ask for an audition and just expected to pick it up, pay, and be on my way. When we went to check it out, the unit turned on, relay clicked, but no sound came out. Seller was a bit embarrassed and offered a substantially lower price (75% less than what we initially agreed on). I haven't had a chance to look into it, but suspect it's a case of dirty defeat switches and will be good to go after a full disassembly, cleaning, and recap. Should be a $700-$1000 receiver when its done. Maybe I’ll use the two 3125s to bi-amp something :rockon:
 
bobdod said:
When I came to pick it up, it was set up in the garage for audition. I didn't even ask for an audition and just expected to pick it up, pay, and be on my way. When we went to check it out, the unit turned on, relay clicked, but no sound came out. Seller was a bit embarrassed and offered a substantially lower price (75% less than what we initially agreed on). I haven't had a chance to look into it, but suspect it's a case of dirty defeat switches and will be good to go after a full disassembly, cleaning, and recap.
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Had a chance to take a quick look at it today and quickly found why it wasn't making any sound:
88C963E0-3AD6-4A9A-B87C-8DAAF9F3B3D2.jpeg

Will have to check outputs for DC, and then give it a listen later. I fully expect it to work though. I feel a bit bad for the seller though. If it was you, would you let them know and make it more of a fair deal?
 
bobdod said:
Had a chance to take a quick look at it today and quickly found why it wasn't making any sound:
View attachment 2064438

Will have to check outputs for DC, and then give it a listen later. I fully expect it to work though. I feel a bit bad for the seller though. If it was you, would you let them know and make it more of a fair deal?
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I made that mistake once when demoing a pilot receiver or amp. Buyer benefitted from it. I’ll hopefully not make that mistake again.
 
Triumph65 said:
@nolasally - Thanks! Any favorite models?

I’ve been looking at Nikko, AKAI, Realistic and Sherwood. For lower powered units, Noticed there are loads of Sherwood 7100 & 7100A on the bay and that the stated wattage for that receiver is very conservative. Also, a couple good Looking AKAI 1125’s.

Some of the big Realistic’s have become pricey (2100, 2200, 2080).
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Many of the sherwood s7100a listed as no powering up actually may have a broken power switch on the back of volume control. bypass the switch (like I did on my free unit), and put it on a power strip and you have an amazing receiver with a tube sound.
 
bobdod said:
It's not common here at all to find a good deal. My first 3125 came to me for free from a CL ad that I got lucky to stumble into right after it was posted. I don't constantly look at ads so just got lucky there. The guy said it wasn't working, but after a recap and replacement of a few resistors, it's been rock solid reliable.

The one I picked up yesterday was a bit of an odd scenario. It was posted to marketplace with an asking price that was fair for an unrestored unit. It was a high enough price to keep flippers away. The seller wasn't a flipper, but also not fully informed either. I told him that it was a cool vintage unit, worthy of a restoration, and offered him a bit less than was being asked. When I came to pick it up, it was set up in the garage for audition. I didn't even ask for an audition and just expected to pick it up, pay, and be on my way. When we went to check it out, the unit turned on, relay clicked, but no sound came out. Seller was a bit embarrassed and offered a substantially lower price (75% less than what we initially agreed on). I haven't had a chance to look into it, but suspect it's a case of dirty defeat switches and will be good to go after a full disassembly, cleaning, and recap. Should be a $700-$1000 receiver when its done. Maybe I’ll use the two 3125s to bi-amp something :rockon:
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I have an MCS 3125 and I’m looking for the service manual. Any ideas? Thanks
 
Are you planning serious work or just basic adjustment? I can probably answer your question if it is something specific - I have a 3125 on the bench right now. You don't want any part of this thing if you're easily intimidated.
 
My receiver is at the shop in Fort Collins. I live 3 hours away in Wyoming. My repairman is having trouble finding the low voltage on the right decibel meter. It lights up but doesn’t move when the music plays. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks man.
 
H
NateWyo said:
My receiver is at the shop in Fort Collins. I live 3 hours away in Wyoming. My repairman is having trouble finding the low voltage on the right decibel meter. It lights up but doesn’t move when the music plays. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks man.
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e traced it back to the board and wanted the schematics.
 
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