Yes.
What Exactly Makes The MAC 4100 So Great?
- Thread starter mea2112
- Start date
Thanks, I hope so too. From what I've heard it is a great receiver and I will post impressions once it is hooked up and playing. This is my first McIntosh equipment and will be my first McIntosh to work on.
mea2112
Addicted Member
Thanks and will do.
I'm a newcomer to Vintage Audio, except for the fact that I owned a lot of it when it was new. As an undergraduate student at Southern Illinois University from 1972-76, over the years I had Phase Linear, SAE, Dynaco (everything from Stereo 70s and Mark IIIs to Stereo 400s, PAT 4 and PAS-3x), Pioneer separates, Technics (turntable and cassette), Advent (stacked!), AR, Thorens, and AMT 1 Towers. My friends had Bose 901s, Klipsch, Empire turntables, and the list goes on. I really have no idea how I afforded it (OK, I do, but I'm not sure the Statute of Limitations has run out). If only I had only kept it all.
I've just acquired a refurbished (recapped and completely gone through) McIntosh 4100 from a frequent contributor here on AK after phasing out an Adcom preamp, a Stereo 70 and a Threshold 400A. Let me tell you...
The 4100 absolutely ROCKS. The tuner is amazing. The speaker handling capability (1, 2, AND 3), the very useful Equalizer, the integrity of the build, the amount of inputs, everything about it just exudes quality and stability. Great soundstage. Holds up to or surpasses anything I've had. I have a Marantz 2270 waiting in the wings as it's getting restored. Can't wait to A-B those two with my soon-to-be-restored AR 3as.
But a year later... 4100s have doubled in price. The best time to do anything is 30 years ago.
I've just acquired a refurbished (recapped and completely gone through) McIntosh 4100 from a frequent contributor here on AK after phasing out an Adcom preamp, a Stereo 70 and a Threshold 400A. Let me tell you...
The 4100 absolutely ROCKS. The tuner is amazing. The speaker handling capability (1, 2, AND 3), the very useful Equalizer, the integrity of the build, the amount of inputs, everything about it just exudes quality and stability. Great soundstage. Holds up to or surpasses anything I've had. I have a Marantz 2270 waiting in the wings as it's getting restored. Can't wait to A-B those two with my soon-to-be-restored AR 3as.
But a year later... 4100s have doubled in price. The best time to do anything is 30 years ago.
turnitdown
Well-worn member
I have the slightly late Mac4300V and am really impressed, pleased and satisfied. Hope you like your 4100 as much.
twiiii
Lunatic Member
In my case I would walk through shop every morning on the way to my desk. There would be all these other recievers a lot of which you mentioned in for some catastrophe or another. The Kyocera being the exception. I might see 1500 or 1700 but none of the 4000 series. I think I did see one 4000 series in the shop where they spiltan adult beverage on the unit while it was on. He didn't want to wait so bought a newer one. Now the 4100 had all the features I liked and its in one rather small package and if all you need is around 100 watts and has been restored then why not? There are folk that know how to repair these correctly still around where they others you might not be so lucky.
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hamsterdam
Well-Known Member
Here in 2025, the best offer ive gotten is 1550 full working, but no recent service. An up to date serviced unit is now $2200+
markd51
Nyuk Nyuk
I reckon condition, and possible recent service-alignment-rehab gives consideration to value-worth.
Otherwise I reckon you might have to factor those additional costs at some point unless you're just flipping the unit no matter what it be.
hamsterdam
Well-Known Member
Yeah, i can solder, if i have a rebuild kit with a map. Im not a diagnoser really. Im getting my forever amp/receiver. Not looking to flip.
markd51
Nyuk Nyuk
As far as a rebuild "kit", do you really feel you need to buy this kit? Isn't performance presently working OK?
What faults-flaws you recognize that would warrant the expense and time?
This sort of thing IMO is what I call a "Brown Bag Mechanic Kit". In that you're like a hack car mechanic who can't find his ass with both hands, walking back and forth to the parts counter trying to seek-guess the right parts to fix a car.
Some food for thought. 1, the parts you would likely have to swap with this kit, what is their condition?
If they are fine, and test properly, then why touch them? 2, these new parts may not be even as good as what you're taking out?
Hope this makes some sense. I would say with the 4100, this receiver has it's own unique qualities and should be checked by someone who has a great deal of experience with them.
MR75
mrz80
I guess it's in my blood
Break it down further and you've got: an MR-75 tuner, a C-27 preamp with the EQ from a C-32, and an MC-752 amplifier, all stuffed into a slightly wider chassis (which made it easy to adapt to rack mounting should you be so inclined).MR75
I never got back to chasing all the gremlins in the power supply in mine. It's only been what, five years since I stuffed it under the workbench and set up the 112 and 275 in the living room? Shame on me!
markd51
Nyuk Nyuk
Not trying to be rude, but I'd definitely get that towel and unit (power conditioner?) off of the top.
You're using a power conditioner for the 4100? I don't see the benefit?
Go Giants
Super Member
Its not in use. I have too much equipment...lol
Just make sure the towel isn't restricting ventilation.
Go Giants
Super Member
Not in service currently. Just sitting on top of my K horns. Waiting to get rotated back in. Yes...gotta let em breath...lol.
markd51
Nyuk Nyuk
Again, and hop this is helpful.
Do you have any current dislikes with the unit's performance?
And if you do, could this possibly be the fault of another component, a source component, a cable-etc, poor Radio Reception which possibly isn't the fault of the unit.
Scratchy-dirty controls is not that hard to address. Every one of these units should periodically get a good "dog bath" and whatever else needed throughout.
Jacks get dirty, switches nasty, had such occur with my 4100, the little red LED AM/FM Lamps for the Tuner Stalk were intermittent to sometimes not working at all. D-5 cured that issue, oxidized-dirty contacts on the rotary selector switch..
Do you have any current dislikes with the unit's performance?
And if you do, could this possibly be the fault of another component, a source component, a cable-etc, poor Radio Reception which possibly isn't the fault of the unit.
Scratchy-dirty controls is not that hard to address. Every one of these units should periodically get a good "dog bath" and whatever else needed throughout.
Jacks get dirty, switches nasty, had such occur with my 4100, the little red LED AM/FM Lamps for the Tuner Stalk were intermittent to sometimes not working at all. D-5 cured that issue, oxidized-dirty contacts on the rotary selector switch..
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Tinman
Super Member
Hey!! Another Mac 4100 thread! Here's my Mac 4100. Bought it under $400 years ago and am glad I did. Today the asking prices can choke a Horse!
NEVER selling it. Super nice to service, as EVERYTHING plugs in. And my favorite feature is the front Tape in and out. I use it a LOT when I test and repair tape decks. Awesome receiver!
BTW, the meters use blue light bulb condoms over the white led's and the dial uses LED drop in lamps with a green filter to give it the more traditional McIntosh look.
I think this is more fitting. I use the receiver every single day, many times 8 hours a day. It's been solid. But should it have a problem, it's a dream to work on.
The only problems these receivers seem to have are the Capacitors on the Power supply and the black push buttons can get so tarnished that the receiver appears dead. So if you buy one, those are areas to look at.
NEVER selling it. Super nice to service, as EVERYTHING plugs in. And my favorite feature is the front Tape in and out. I use it a LOT when I test and repair tape decks. Awesome receiver!
BTW, the meters use blue light bulb condoms over the white led's and the dial uses LED drop in lamps with a green filter to give it the more traditional McIntosh look.
I think this is more fitting. I use the receiver every single day, many times 8 hours a day. It's been solid. But should it have a problem, it's a dream to work on.
The only problems these receivers seem to have are the Capacitors on the Power supply and the black push buttons can get so tarnished that the receiver appears dead. So if you buy one, those are areas to look at.
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