• The move to the new server is done. There are some software and database maintenance updates in process. This has us passing the hat around to help out. We appreciate any donations. Seriously, even a dollar helps. The payment page may be found here - https://www.audiokarma.org/support.html

Vintage Mac recommendations....

Quad4Life

Quad4Life

Member
Hello all,

I would like to know if anyone could recommend vintage McIntosh components? I am interested in acquiring vintage McIntosh equipment in the near future (I currently can't afford new, though I wish I could) and do not know what to look for. Is there a particular receiver that is quite common, or integrated amp and tuner?

Any and all recommendations will be considered and greatly appreciated by this Mac novice.

Thanks,

Quad4Life
 
Register to hide this ad
1700 and 4100 are the two I plan to try out someday. Both are receivers.

The 4100 is so ugly, there's just something so appealing about it.
 
Yeah, I had to correct myself.

Which had the tube tuner? The 1900 or the 1700?

Someone should give a good review about the 1900 vs. 1700.
 
nickrobotron said:
1700 and 4100 are the two I plan to try out someday. Both are receivers.

The 4100 is so ugly, there's just something so appealing about it.
Click to expand...

Whaddaya mean ugly? It's one of my favorite pieces of Mc gear! It's all solid and metallic and no-nonesense; kinda like the MC-2300's kid brother or something.

And this is the umpteenth time someone's mentioned the 1700. I'm really feeling guilty now about letting mine languish in a shipping crate in the garage. Gonna HAVE to get it out and set it up again, maybe in the office...
 
The 1700 usually sells for a little less than the 1900 - which seems to be pretty popular here although I don't have one. I do have a couple of 1700's and they are by far my favorite Mc receivers. Compact, no nonsense, no frills, just turn it on and enjoy.

Murray
 
I just took in a MAC 1900 and it fired up beautifully in my office with Dynaco A25's. Tuner has EXCELLENT reception, bass is clean and basically plug and play with wonderful overall sonice. Hard to beat for the price.

Not sure what I am going to do with yet as I don't need it but maybe I will replace the MA-5100. I like having the am/fm tuner if for nothing more than listening to some local news programs.
 
I have three receivers, MACs 1500, 1700 and 4300. The 4300 anchors my main system and is the one piece of audio equipment about which I am unequivocally enthusiastic. They are hard to find on the used market and a decent one will probably fetch a fine penny. IMHO it is a flawless unit (assuming you like OTL amps, which I do).

I have not heard my 1500 yet because I just bought it and sent it right off to AudioClassics for a lot of work. In good condition, this unit (tube tuner and amp, ss preamp) will also pull in significant $$.

The 1700 is the sneaky one. A good one can be had for a reasonable dollars, and it is a very satisfying receiver. Extremely well constructed, great blue analog dial on a black/chrome face, dead-on tuner and plenty of power for a modest sized room with efficient speakers (mine drives a pair of Spendor LS 3/5se's). Looks great in a cabinet but can also live without one. Controls are rugged and have a good, solid feel to them. My only qualm is with the phono preamp; it has a slightly rolled-off quality, but is still very listenable.

If you are amenable to a receiver (some people insist on separates), I think this is your play, unless you can afford the 4300. Stay away from the 4275 and 4280; they are uncharacteristic units with a bad track record. What ever you spend, budget a couple hundred extra $$ to send it to DeWick or AudioClassics for a thorough going-over. Then you will have a classic unit that will last you a long time. Good luck, and welcome to the support group!
 
Or ... go direct to either Audio Classics or DeWick and browse thru the list of equipments they have ready for sale. Yes, they may cost more than what you may see on eBay, etc, .... but truely, the quality and condition of the equipments you get would give you years of peaceful listening.

You can start with a Receiver - if space and cost is a concern and you may also consider an older CD player as a source plus the ML10C speakers, ... a true classic.

Happy hunting ....

Cheers!
 
Thanks....

Hello all,

Thanks for the recommendations. I will keep all of these in mind. I currently don't have a budget in mind as I am getting married in November and also paying down some debts, so money is going elsewhere. But afterwards, I am going to treat myself with a vintage Mac receiver or the Pro-ject turntable I have had my sights on for the past year and a half. Now I know where to look and what to look for; and I can research prices to help set the budget.

Thanks again,

Quad4Life
 
The 1500 is one sweet sounding receiver. Nice and warm. So is the 1700 and the phono stage is outstanding. But be careful, flawed units will eat your speakers in a hurry.

I agree that the 4275 and 4280 are bland. I found that the ML10 speakers paired with the 4280 and an MQ101 is an outstanding combo and I would highly recommend it. This is one combo that actually made me jump up and say "holy sh**"!

The 4300 looks to me to be the epitome of the 4000 series receivers. I'm sure it is substantially better than the earlier models but I can't stand the fact that it does'nt have a volume control knob :sigh: Push buttons to control the volume to me is not only frustrating but a big no no. :no:

The 4100 is a very nice reciever also that is very good with highs.
 
If you are going the receiver route as an entry level I guess the 1700 would be the most affordable bang for the buck. I have 1500, 1700, and 4100 for which I paid 600., 100.,and 400. respectively for mine off my local craigslist.

1500
http://www.audiokarma.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=2132&size=big&cat=&ppuser=272

1700
http://www.audiokarma.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=3556&size=big&cat=&ppuser=272

4100
http://www.audiokarma.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4163&size=big&cat=&ppuser=272
 
CarlV said:
If you are going the receiver route as an entry level I guess the 1700 would be the most affordable bang for the buck. I have 1500, 1700, and 4100 for which I paid 600., 100.,and 400. respectively for mine off my local craigslist.

1500
http://www.audiokarma.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=2132&size=big&cat=&ppuser=272

1700
http://www.audiokarma.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=3556&size=big&cat=&ppuser=272

4100
http://www.audiokarma.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=4163&size=big&cat=&ppuser=272
Click to expand...

Oh Carl, please dont quote your purchase pricing ...... made me feel so "inapt" and never had a good bargain in life.:tears:

But I do very much envy you cause you got great stuff and more than great prices ... and more importantly, they look and sound great too!:thmbsp::thmbsp::thmbsp:

Thanks for the help too!:yes:

Cheers:D
 
It seems like 1900's go for less money than 1700's, but everyone's saying 1700 is the budget receiver. Is it considered the budget receiver because it's just a better receiver for the money, even though the 1900 sells for cheaper?
 
Quad4Life said:
Hello all,

I would like to know if anyone could recommend vintage McIntosh components? I am interested in acquiring vintage McIntosh equipment in the near future (I currently can't afford new, though I wish I could) and do not know what to look for. Is there a particular receiver that is quite common, or integrated amp and tuner?

Any and all recommendations will be considered and greatly appreciated by this Mac novice.

Thanks,

Quad4Life
Click to expand...

I have spent the last few months working on my own vintage system centered on MacIntosh electronics. In my case, I was shooting for the 60s or early 70s.

I have learned a couple of things.

Be careful if purchasing a 1500, 1700, 1900 or preamp of that period on which the power on/off switch and volume control are on the same knob. Make sure the volume control tracks correctly. Since these controls have been, for the last 40 years, rotated through the low range of the volume control everytime they are switched on and off, the controls wear out on the low range. The sympton is that as you rotate the knob the loudess does not track between left and right speakers causing you to have to readjust the balance control everytime you move the volume control.

Neither L&M Electronics (who repair vintage Macs in San Francisco), The Sound Well in Berkeley, Terry DeWick (listed below), nor Audio Classics are able to repair this damage. They all report that replacement controls are not available from McIntosh or other sources.

So be careful and check this before purchasing one of these receivers. Note that on preamps like the C22 on which the power switch is separate from the volumn control, this is not a problem as the controls do not need to be rotated to switch them on and off and so are usually not worn out. Hopefully a source for these controls will be found soon.

Also, if you get a vintage unit that has not been serviced, I recommend that you have servicing done by Audio Classics or Mr. DeWick or other qualified person. The servicing will insure that the unit is safe, reliable and working to factory spec or better.

I have three pieces that Mr. DeWick has serviced, cleaned, aligned and upgraded, a C22, MC2505, and a MAC 1900 and I am amazed at how good they sound. I also have an MR71 that has been service by L&M and another MR 71 that was serviced by McIntoshAudio.com.

All work like new.

Good hunting and enjoy your new / old Mac.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom