McIntosh suggestions

[cruisaire]

I am going to try and convert a pair of AR-1s into some disposable cash on the 'bay. If successful, what entry level receivers or tuner/integrated models would you suggest?

Thanks :)

[grumpy]

The cheapest route would be to go with the MA5100 Int amp. Or you could try the 1900 Receiver which I like very much. Hard to make any other recomendations without a price range.

Grumpy

[cruisaire]

Good point Grumpster!

How about $500 to $1000 range and $1000 to $1500 range.

[CarlV]

Hi cruisair,

Here's my two cents. For about 1000-1200 you could get a MA6200 and an MR77/78 or? tuner all SS. Those would sound excellent and not entry level Mc sounding at all. But I would buy all over again a MX110 tuner/pre(tube) and a MC2100/2105 combo as it has the best sound without going tube amp($$'s). Pretty awesome combo actually imho. Myself, I wish I didn't buy my 1900, nice with a lot of features but little of the Mc sound. Should have used the money towards what I have now. Hope this helps!

Carl

[McIntosh-Chuck]

The C22 preamp and MC122 amp were introduced in 1998 and sold for 1,500 and 1,200 respectivly, the idea was to have a "My First McIntosh" line with few features and low power (120 into 4-ohms) but very good sound, we had not sold amps and preamps that cheap since the late '70s! I dont know if they were under marketed or folks who could afford Mc wanted to go higher up the line, but they did not sell well and were discontinued in 2000.
I think that even if you pay the original new price for them you will get the best deal in all of used Mc land. folks pay that much for stuff from the 1970s and that is too old I M H O, distortion was like .5% and caps will soon dry out.

[rhinofly]

I believe you have three options with macs for configuration (other than all seperates)

1: reciever
2: tuner + integrated amp
3: tuner/preamp + power amp

I dont know how the integrated amps sound compared to the seperates. But I have an mx113 tuner/preamp at home and it sounds absolutely wonderful as a preamp, though the tuner section is just average IMO.

I bet you could find a nice condition mx113/mc2505 (50wpc amp) pair for $750 (without cabinets) ....about what a good mr78 alone would cost.

[CarlV]

Holy Cow!!! Nice going on your auction! Hope it all works out for
you.:D

Carl

[cruisaire]

A few more minutes = a few more $$ = a little better McIntosh!!

"But I would buy all over again a MX110 tuner/pre(tube) and a MC2100/2105 combo as it has the best sound without going tube amp($$'s). Pretty awesome combo actually imho."


If I get the cash Carl, I'm gonna take your recommendation and find some pieces in good shape.

[CarlV]

I just went and looked at your auction final. I had no idea those
would fetch that much!:p:
Congratulations cruisaire!!!!!:king:
You should be able to get a very nice combo with the proceeds.

Carl

[Brian]

I need to go to a dentist. My teeth dropped out when I saw the final price!!!! Good going. A good portion for a MX110 and 2105. Will make up for those noghts you may regret selling the ARs.

[grumpy]

Way to go man !!!!!!

I see Mc in your future ;) If ya got that much to work with you will be able to build an awesome system. just shop smart and if possible shop local or reputable dealers to lesson the chance of the 300.00 refurb fee. I lucked out about a year ago and found my C32 at a local Mc dealer for 600.00. May not seem like that good of a price buts its in cherry shape and there was no shipping. Good luck to ya and let us know what you get.

Grumpy

[Brian]

Hey, how about one of the McIntosh amps/tuners/players housed in a Subaru rather than a wood cabinet?

[braillediver]

Congratulations!

Please excuse my ignorance but why do you think were they worth so much?

You’ll be able to re-invest that $$$ into some nice gear.


Mitch

[cruisaire]

Actually, I can't figure it out myself. Everyone said "Those 8-inch mids are worth gold to many".....but why? I hooked the speakers up to a variety of different SS equipment including receivers, separates, etc. Not that impressive a sound to my untrained ears. Granted, they have historical value but not much audio value to me. A whole bunch of Japanese and Koreans are getting wood over these,so the only thing to do is let em go. BTW, the check arrived via courier today. :banana: :banana:

Now, to choose some tasty McIntosh pieces to help me get over the separation anxiety. sniff sniff

[CarlV]

There sure are some deep pocketed collectors across the Pacific!
Glad you got your check. Now how patient are we?:D

Carl

[cruisaire]

After a "knock down, drag out" over the funds with the better half, I have this one on the way to me now. It is my first Mc. Report to follow after arrival. I will have to make do with my other "black piece" in the short term (the Mitsu 75 wpc power amp) until funds permit me to proceed back into Mcland. I'm assuming a 250 will be my amp of choice at that time.

Peace

[Brian]

Nice choice. If you want get a really neat setup, go for either the MC2505 or 2105 and do the cabinets, tuner/preamp on bottom.

[CarlV]

Congratulations! Too bad the wife won't let you roll it over. One
foot in though anyway!

Carl

[jt1stcav]

The McIntosh MC250 would be a very sound choice, indeed. Frankly, I assume that any vintage Mac amplifier (either with or without the autoformers) would do your classic ARs justice, so don't just consider the MC250 and no others. Any McIntosh amplifier would do nicely, especially if had for a great price! Good luck.

[McIntosh-Chuck]

Congratts on the MX, I have a MC250 at home and it looks and soulds soo cool!, I expect it will make a good match for your new MX.

[cruisaire]

drum roll please.........

Here's my "new" MC 250, soulmate to the MX114!!!!

[Number 9]

Originally posted by McIntosh-Chuck
The C22 preamp and MC122 amp were introduced in 1998 and sold for 1,500 and 1,200 respectivly, the idea was to have a "My First McIntosh" line

Are those the right model numbers?

The C22 was from 1963. There was the reissue in '93 but that cost lots more. And I can't find any references anywhere to an MC122.

Mac stuff from the late '90s just does not appear on eBay all that often. Will they even hold their value as much as the stuff from the '60s which continue to appreciate like fine wines?

[CarlV]

Congratulations on your MC250 cruisaire. A nice and shiny one!
What speakers you using?

Carl




MC122:
http://www.audioweb.com/Ad/AdInfo.asp?adid=125351

[cruisaire]

Only took the wife walking past it for 10 days before she noticed the 250! All she said was, "Turn that "thing" off so I can watch TV". HAHA

[Rich Andrews]

It has gotten so bad around our house at times that I have told my wife that if the TV is on much longer, I *will* introduce the TV to Mr. Claw Hammer and Mr. Claw Hammer doesn't like Mr. TV Set. Mr. Hammer *always* wins every discussion with Mr. TV.

[cruisaire]

Do I have your permission to use that phraseology when the next mindless (un)reality show comes on?

[McIntosh-Chuck]

Sorry, I meant C15 preamp, it and the MC122 were made from 1998 to 2000

[Rich Andrews]

Originally posted by cruisaire
Do I have your permission to use that phraseology when the next mindless (un)reality show comes on?

Be my guest. (:>) The mental imagery is rather good isn't it?

I have a few more if you are interested....(:>)


One of my favorites is to throw this one out.

"Wouldn't you agree that if you stew cranberries like applesauce, they taste *much* more like prunes than rhubarb does?"

Wait for the answer while gazing intently into your victims eyes. It will take a few seconds for it to all register. One usually gets an emphatic "What?!?!?" as a response. You might even get a question back like "What is wrong with you?" Either way, it certainly does a master reset on the conversation.

It is usually most effective when a conversation is going nowhere, has no point, and is in general is just mindless jabber. Be sure to insert a good pause before as if contemplating something profound.

When discussing someone you really don't like, you say something like, "That person really scares me sometimes. I overheard someone say that <person's name> favorite fantasy involves a monkey with a gas can.....not just any monkey either, it has to be a spider monkey. You know the kind. They have those little tiny hands and are oh, so clever...."

Doing all that with a straight face is the hardest part.

[cruisaire]

A match made in Heaven!!

:yippy: :yippy: :yippy:

[CarlV]

Looking real good there cruisaire! Hey, what's that fingerprint?:p:

Carl

[WhiteSE]

Niiiice!!!