J Schneider
AK Member
Looking for some advice here.
I recently found a 240 power amp at a local thrift shop. I paid $100 for it. It was in sad shape. See attached.
I have sent it up to AudioClassics in NY and am working with Ryan. I originally wanted to do a complete restore of it (anticipated around $400 to $600) but Ryan says it's had a hard life and to do a complete restore would cost around $1600 which would include sanding down the chrome and giving it a hammertone finish. There is a lot of pitting and nothing can be done with that. To just do a sonic restore to get it back to spec would be about $800.
So far I have about $210 into the unit which includes the shipping and box I ordered from AudioClassics to get it to them.
I would want to use this amp and then maybe sell it or maybe not. I have a 2010 275 power amp and a C2300 so it's not like I am lacking in McIntosh gear. I've also got three other more vintage tube amps. Ryan says the 240 would provide a bit smoother / warmer sound than my 275. I'm a big jazz listener and don't crank my system so that appeals to me.
I've vowed to be a little more frugal in 2015 so am just uncertain about what to do.
1. Just bail out now and don't do anything with it.
2. Get it to sonic spec, live with it, then maybe sell it.
3. Do the full restore, live with it, then maybe sell it.
Any advice here?
BTW, I should mention that I love the guys at AudioClassics. Mike (who has sold me a lot of gear) and Ryan have been nothing but straightforward and knowledgeable in all my dealings. If they are reading here, thanks guys.
Jonathan
I recently found a 240 power amp at a local thrift shop. I paid $100 for it. It was in sad shape. See attached.
I have sent it up to AudioClassics in NY and am working with Ryan. I originally wanted to do a complete restore of it (anticipated around $400 to $600) but Ryan says it's had a hard life and to do a complete restore would cost around $1600 which would include sanding down the chrome and giving it a hammertone finish. There is a lot of pitting and nothing can be done with that. To just do a sonic restore to get it back to spec would be about $800.
So far I have about $210 into the unit which includes the shipping and box I ordered from AudioClassics to get it to them.
I would want to use this amp and then maybe sell it or maybe not. I have a 2010 275 power amp and a C2300 so it's not like I am lacking in McIntosh gear. I've also got three other more vintage tube amps. Ryan says the 240 would provide a bit smoother / warmer sound than my 275. I'm a big jazz listener and don't crank my system so that appeals to me.
I've vowed to be a little more frugal in 2015 so am just uncertain about what to do.
1. Just bail out now and don't do anything with it.
2. Get it to sonic spec, live with it, then maybe sell it.
3. Do the full restore, live with it, then maybe sell it.
Any advice here?
BTW, I should mention that I love the guys at AudioClassics. Mike (who has sold me a lot of gear) and Ryan have been nothing but straightforward and knowledgeable in all my dealings. If they are reading here, thanks guys.
Jonathan