Mcintosh 2205 & C28

[DingusBoy]

Here's what I'm pondering:

MCINTOSH C28 pre amp, Mcintosh MC 2205 power amp, FCR-2 speaker relay w/walnut cabinets, $1250

I spoke to the guy today, he seemed to know his stuff but without a computer was forced to sell through the want ads.

He says they are both comsemtically and funtionally excellent.

While not the deal of the century, It seems like a good buy to me.

Thought, comments, opnions encouraged and welcome.

[EchoWars]

You got that kinds money to burn?? Sheesh!!

The amp alone usually sells for about $1000 on eBay.

/me stumbles off muttering under his breath about spoiled little rich-kids :uzi:

[DingusBoy]

Me Spoiled - Have you looked at some of the gallery posts lately?

Good goobley goo - some of these guys have systems that would eat my main system for breafast in their bathrooms (complete with custom dehumidifier/destinkifier).

There is a 2205 on Ebay for $1,125 currently with 3 days left. I sure am tempted.

Actually, I blame you guys. 3 months ago i had a shiney black thingy with too many speaker connections :puke:

[grumpy]

That guy would'nt by chance have McIntosh tuner hes selling to would he ?

Grumpy

[DingusBoy]

Grumpy:

No, not mentioned in the ad or the phone conversation.

He says he's the original owner, still has the boxes, manuals etc.

[CarlV]

It's not the deal of the century, but it is very excellent $ wise if as you say. Nice pieces too, Mc speaker relays are scarce items.

Carl

[Thatch_Ear]

Well if they look good and work as advertized, have the original boxes and paper work, get them. Sounds like a deal that doesn't come along often AND if you don't like them you should have no problem selling them to me for $500.
:guitar: :banana: :banana: :banana: (the rock group"The Dogma Dudes")

[hotgas]

DingusBoy

You will kick yourself later if you don't go for it. But 1st ask the guy if you can have them for .. 1000 bucks and move up the scale slowly until he gives in. Hey! I love bargaining :D If you don't like them then later sell them to me for $1250 ;)

[mhardy6647]

If you go for it, and if you don't really NEED that speaker relay.... umm, drop me a PM.

Sonds like a reasonable deal to me.

ciao!

[DingusBoy]

Went and looked them today. a 2 hour drive.

It is pretty much as advertised. The C28 is immaculate. A very slight hint of static in a couple controls.

The 2205 is damn near perfect, but not quite. There is an area above the speaker switch where the gold trim around the signal meters is worn off. Otherwise, clean and beautiful.

It's clear he took good care of the stuff. It was also clear he knew something about audio. He has no computer or they'd probably be on Ebay by now.

We listened to Cd's and hooked up the turntable. Sounded good running through his L100's. Played with all the controls, aside from the static everything seems to function.. The power meter options are very cool.

I offered $1,100 but he was firm at $1,250.00, I didn't have $1,250, he agreed to hold them for me. I should pick them up within 4-5 days.

Unless it somehow falls through: :grnbounce :yippy: :banana: :guitar:

[grumpy]

"Unless it somehow falls through"

Like i find this guys number cuz I will glady pay that now :p:

[rhinofly]

Originally posted by DingusBoy

Actually, I blame you guys. 3 months ago i had a shiney black thingy with too many speaker connections :puke:

Boy do I know what you mean. Six months ago I have a shiny black reciever that seemed to make sound. Now I have a B&K 5 channel reciever for home theatre, a ka-9100 and tu-717 for music, a few extra nice vintage recievers laying about, and more speakers than I know what to do with.

My wife thinks I have gone nuts. But she DOES like the sound:)

[DingusBoy]

Thanks to all for your feedback. I pick them up Friday. I'm officially excited. (and broke ):rolleyes:

[DingusBoy]

For those who care:

They now sit in my living room. :grnbounce Sorry Grumpy.

The 2205 is awesome! It's not small, but they pack 85 lbs pretty well. Everything seems to work perfectly. DC offset under 4mv's on both channels. The only thing I did was dust and oil the panloc rails. (a clear step above the Marantz cabinet design - Who stole from who?) I used my Yamaha CR-2040 as a pre whilst I cleaned up the C28. Clean pure music. I love the huge analog meters, the glass front, the case, the quality speaker connects, and the sound. Clearly a notch above the sound and power of the power amp section of the CR-2040 & my Pioneer SX-1280. The build quality is unbelievable. I know Mcintosh got some overrated votes in a recent thread. I'm gonna have a hard time agreeing with that today.

The boxes still have the inner box. SM's & OM's on both units included. The Speaker relay looks like it's never been used. I haven't tested it yet. the original Owner's Manuals are priced at $1.25 on the right hand corner.

I'm still in process of cleaning and setting up the C28. It has static issues. It's beautiful. It has seldom used controls hidden on the top of the chassis under the cabinet. They are accessible by sliding the C28 out to a locking postion. Slick design.

Now for the humorous part. The seller and I were talking audio. He said he wanted to give his friend my phone number as the guy had a 70's Pioneer that needed a little work and I seemed the the guy for the job. :rolleyes: For those of you who aren't privy to one of my first posts here: http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=6816&highlight=briefly

Now, thanks to you guys a life long Mcintosh guy thinks I'm an expert. Life cracks me up.:banana:

[grumpy]

Good to hear you snagged them. One of these days i will pick up another 2205 and run the pair into mono. A note bout the .4Mv reading. The 2205 has what called an Autoformer which keeps DC from reaching the Speakers. You really cant measure the DC the same way you can on most other receivers/amps. Congrats and Enjoy.

[oldmarantz]

Welcome in the McIntosh club and Enjoy...

Dom (proud owner of a Mc7300+C39)

[EchoWars]

Now for the humorous part. The seller and I were talking audio. He said he wanted to give his friend my phone number as the guy had a 70's Pioneer that needed a little work and I seemed the the guy for the job. For those of you who aren't privy to one of my first posts here: http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/sh...ghlight=briefly Hmm...see what it is and if it is actually worth the trouble. If so, you know a starving tech in KC. :wave:

[Brian]

Take care cleaning the volume control. These are not available from any source. In addition to the controls really clean the inputs/outputs BUT do NOT use anything abrasive on them as the plating is thin. When clean, they will not be shiny and will still look like they need cleaning. I just finally changed mine out for peace of mind. The top controls you should start with in the indicated positions and use with discretion, especially the output levels.

[DingusBoy]

Thanks for the tips Brian.

I have yet to feel a need to play with the top controls. It sounds great where it is. TT is still a little quiter then high aux.tuner inputs at full. I used a small amount of pro-gold for cleaning pots and inputs/outputs. Something told me to go a little light and the pro-gold is milder then DeOxit.

Err on the side of caution makes sense to me.