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MR-75 Tuner Question

Old_Tech

Old_Tech

Yer-isn't!
Hello,
I am looking at this model tuner and cannot find much on it. Can anyone chime in with any experience or info on the 75. I really love FM and have wanted a McIntosh for some time. I just need some support I guess and the price is affordable to me on this one. Seems to be in good shape, new glass and fully functional.

Happy holidays and thank you so much.
Ron
 
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Never used the MR75 first hand (though the tuner section in my MAC4100 receiver is supposed to be similar) but they seem to be relatively good values in terms of an analog era Mac tuner. I have seen them sell for as little as $500 and they originally posted much better specs than the earlier SS tuners (MR73, 74). FYI the MX117 tuner/pre-amp is also supposed to have a MR75 based tuner section. Here is a useful Mac related site where you can compare some specs-

http://www.roger-russell.com/tuners.htm#mr75
 
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Jupiter1610 said:
Never used the MR75 first hand (though the tuner section in my MAC4100 receiver is supposed to be similar) but they seem to be relatively good values in terms of an analog era Mac tuner. I have seen them sell for as little as $500 and they originally posted much better specs than the earlier SS tuners (MR73, 74). FYI the MX117 tuner/pre-amp is also supposed to have a MR75 based tuner section. Here is a useful Mac related site where you can compare some specs-

http://www.roger-russell.com/tuners.htm#mr75
Click to expand...

Thank you for the info I guess the price is typically good now I am wondering about the fact the glass was replaced and the cover has a dent, not bad but its there in the vent area. It just occurred to me it could of been dropped....scary. Great seller but 500 dollars, hmm. Good price too as you have said. I am used to some nice sounding FM what can I expect from the MAC? Are they warm, sensitive, how can you characterize the sound? As you can see I am having anxiety spending the cash but I need to try this hopefully it would be just beautiful I am assured it functions well.
 
Man...

This was a dead thread. I thought I would get every tuner freak on this forum pouring thoughts here.
 
Yeah, it can be sort of hit and miss in terms of the responses you receive. Sometimes you will start a thread you are sure will yield a wealth of results but instead the weekly "Should I upgrade from the Mc402 to Mc501s" post garners 20 replies. Go figure.

I have used just two Mac tuners (MR71 & MR78) and a receiver (Mac 4100) for extended periods. In my experience these Mac tuners did not overly impress in their ability to pull in stations compared to other vintage hifi brands (Kenwood, Marantz, Sansui). But the Macs always excelled in the sound of a good station. You would have never thought real bass was possible from FM until you have heard a Mac tuner. They also present a depth and realism to broadcasts uncommon amoung the tuners I have heard. A real "your in the studio" sort of sound, especially with live broadcasts. I really wish I had that MR71 I used for a while. Just glorious.
 
2-days before Xmas may not elicit the most responses on any thread. However, I am very pleased with the MR75 tuner that resides inside my MX117. I purchased from a McIntosh retail store outside of KC and is in excellent condition, but has not had an alignment in many years and still sounds good. Not as good as the MR73/4 it replaced, so will go out to be aligned, etc., while I am away this next summer. Typical warm sound of McIntosh is how I would describe it. Sensitivity is fine for my needs, but certainly not up to the TX-1000 or ST-J75 that I also listen to. On the other hand, they are not nearly as pleasing to the eye as the MX117.
 
The MR75 is the last of the true analog tuners, though the front end was made by Alps it was customized by McIntosh. I have found the measured sensitivity to be in the 1uV area, just as good or better than most non McIntosh, typical of most tuners it's age it will need tuning capacitor lubrication and alignment.
 
Can you expand on 'front-end made by Alps'? Did they actually make the tuning cap, etc., for McIntosh? Which other McIntosh tuners also have the Alps front-end? Great history lesson. Thanks.
 
MR75, MX117, and MAC4100 use a tuning capacitor and front end circuitry that was pre packaged and ready to go, this was made by Alps. There are 2 versions, a narrow early one that is not to common, and the wider circuit board version that is most common. I have found the same front end assembly in several high end Japanese tuners and receivers made in the 70's.
 
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