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McIntosh Audio A Tradition of Excellence |
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#1
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How did you get started with Mac?
I was just corresponding with another AAF member who deserves some praise. Why? Because damn near every piece of audio equipment he owns has the McIntosh logo on it. This lead me to think about my first experience with the Mac brand and why, even after I purchased some other so-called "high end" brands, I ended up right back with the stuff made in Binghamton, NY, USA.
I'm sure that there must have been similar threads created in the past, but I thought that I'd start out with how I was introduced to Mac and ask the others on the board -- including new members -- to write about how it all started for them. I recall visiting a friend of the family back in late 1978. He lived in a duplex and had what every young man that I knew would've killed for: a big LP collection, a beautiful Teac reel-to-reel and two huge Altec Lansing studio monitors. Anyway, he put on Led Zep II, dropped the needle on the tune "Ramble On" and proceeded to demonstrate a great feature that came with the "new" McIntosh MAC-4100 receiver: something called "Power Guard." Needless to say, the windows shook and the neighbors were definitely wide awake, but, for all of the sound coming out of those speakers, I don't recall any discomfort...and, even though that receiver -- which we own today -- is spec'c at a max of 75W per channel, I was hooked. So how did you get your start with the McIntosh brand?
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Bill in the Hills OUR VINTAGE MAC: MAC4100, MAC4200 | AMPS: MC452, MC300 | MAC PRE/PROS: MX151, MX130, MX121 | B&W SPEAKERS: (2) N802s, (2) N805s, (1) HTM3S | NEWER EQUIPMENT: Oppo 203 & 105D, Sony X800M2, Denon CDR-W1500 | VIDEO DISPLAY: 65" LG OLED | IMPORTANT NOTE: Zero High-speed internet connections Last edited by 70sMac; 01-30-2021 at 01:24 AM. |
#2
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My Mac introduction was in the late 70's I guess. I had for many years a great little Sansui receiver that I bought from an old Austin, Tx shop High Fidelity. That shop is long gone now but when I decided to get really serious, I went back there and listened to several systems. The one that really impressed me was the Mac. After a discussion with the wife, I got a bank loan to buy a C29, MC2205 and MR78. I also had different tape players from Tandberg. My TT was a Thorens with SME toner and Ortofon MC cartridge. I had a phono preamp for the MC but no clue what that was. At some point I had a RTR but I cannot remember the brand. As time moved on, I went digital and traded all of my vinyl in for CD's and sold all of my Mac system. I ended up with Nakamichi which long ago was sold. My cd's got stored and sat idle till two years ago. After retiring I decided to get back into audio seriously again. I researched and decided to go Mac again simply because I loved the sound. I know Mac went through some difficult times but they are still made in the US. Since returning to audio and Mac, I have upgraded from a integrated to separates with a tube preamp. Soon I will have mono blocks. I also got back to vinyl and have purchased several albums I regrettably sold or traded many years ago. It's just a journey but a fun one given what has gone on in the world the last year. Next week I will be making my own DIY power cords.
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My System: Amp-McIntosh MC611(2) :Pre-McIntosh C2700, MP1100 :CD/SACD-McIntosh MCD600 :Speakers-McIntosh XR100 :Power Controller-McIntosh MPC1500 :Turntable-VPI HW40 Ortofon Cadenza Black :Cables-Morrow PH5,MA5 and Elite Speaker Cables :Headphones-McIntosh MPH1000 :Record Cleaner Klaudio KD-CLN-LP200T Thanks, Bill |
#3
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It all started for me in early 1975.
I was rotating back to the US from Thailand and spent some time on R&R in the Phillippines. I was exploring the wonders of Naval Base Subic Bay's PX, It was a huge store and I was a young man with a wad of cash burning a hole in his uniform pockets. I came to the audio & electronics section of the PX and found that they sold mostly complete systems which could be shipped home, duty free, at no cost to active duty personnel. After some talking with the sales guy, doing a lot of listening and making the decision on which system & accessories I wanted, I had it all shipped to California and my next duty station. I ended up with a C28 pre, an MR77 tuner, a pair of MC50 amplifiers, a Dual turntable, cartridge & a pair of Sansui SP-30 speakers along with some cables to connect it all together. Once I got to California I was high stylin' and profilin' with my 1x12 finished boards, concrete blocks and steel wire milk basket that doubled as LP storage! Less than a year later I was sent on temporary duty to Colorado and when I returned to my California apartment I found that my light fingered roomie had separated and decided to take the system with him when he left. But that is how it all started. I strayed from McIntosh over the years but eventually found my way back and I am very glad I did.
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Michael 4K QLED|Aerial Acoustics|McIntosh D100 - MC501 - MX151|Bluesound|Schiit|Wyrd4Sound
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#4
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My first Mac piece was a C39 many moons ago...
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Ivan FLORIDA MX136, MC1.2KW(10) MC2KW(2), MCD1100, MS750(2) MVP881, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, HT-2 SUBS(2) HT3F(2) WS350(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) XCS350(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" MOTORIZED SCREEN, CINEMA-TECH SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES Reference System: ACCUPHASE A300 AMPS, C3900 PRE-AMP, DP1000 CD/SACD TRANSPORT, DC1000 DIGITAL PROCESSOR, DG-68 DIGITAL EQUALIZER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, PS1230 POWER SUPPLY, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, WW PLATINUM CABLES CAPE COD MX150, MC501(2) MC1.2KW(10) MC2301(2) MR88, MVP881, MCD1100, MDA1000, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, ESOTERIC K-01X 30th ANNIVERSARY (BLACK) SACD/CD PLAYER, G02-X CLOCK, HT3F(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(4) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) KALEIDESCAPE STRATO & TERRA SERVERS 80-TB, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" SCREEN, SONUS FABER STRADIVARI, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, FORTRESS SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES Analog Rig: CLEARAUDIO INNOVATION WOOD, UNIVERSAL ARM w/ Da VINCI' CART, 2nd UNIVERSAL ARM w/ GOLDFINGER STATEMENT CART, HRS-MXR REFERENCE RACK-GLOSS BLACK w/ M3X SHELVES, AESTHETIX RHEA SIG PHONO-PRE, BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, WW PLATINUM CABLES Reference System: BURMESTER 911MK3 AMP(3), 088 PRE-AMP, 089 CD PLAYER, 100 PHONO PRE-AMP, 948 POWER CONDITIONER, ACCUPHASE DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, AVID ACUTUS REFERENCE SP TT, GRAHAM PHANTOM II SUPREME ARM, BENZ MICRO LP-S CART, GRANDIOSO P1X/D1X STACK, G1X RUBIDIUM MASTER CLOCK, N05 NETWORK PLAYER, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, SONUS FABER AIDA SPEAKERS, JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(2) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) WW PLATINUM CABLES Library System: GRANDIOSO M1 MONOBLOCK AMPS, C1 LINESTAGE PRE-AMP, K1X CD/SACD PLAYER, G1 MASTER RUBIDIUM CLOCK, E02 PHONO-PRE, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, AERIAL ACOUSTICS 20T V2, AERIAL SW12 SUBS(2), CANTON REF K1’s, VPI HRX TT w/ SDS POWER SUPPLY, ORTOFON CADENZA BLACK CART, KLAUDIO RCM, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2, SHUNYATA OMEGA QR’s, WW PLATINUM CABLES Esoteric/Bryston System: ESOTERIC C02-X PRE-AMP, P-02X TRANSPORT, D02-X DAC, G02-X CLOCK, BRYSTON 28B3 CUBED MONOBLOCK AMPS(4), BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2(2) EVEREST 8000 POWER CONDITIONER(2) ALTAIRA CG & SG HUBS, AMR-DP777-SE DAC, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, QUADRASPIRE RACK, WW PLATINUM CABLES Accuphase/Canton System: ACCUPHASE E800 INTEGRATED, DP570 CD/SACD PLAYER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, PS530 POWER SUPPLY, CANTON REF K3’s, CANTON REF K5’s, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS MXR REFERENCE MAHOGHANY RACK w/ M3X2 SHELVES, WW GOLD CABLES |
#5
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#6
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How did you get started with Mac?
D100, MEN220, and MC302 in 2013...later migrated to a MC452 and then to MC1.2KW. Also added a C500 - primarily so I could enjoy my SACD collection.
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Last edited by cdobson; 02-21-2021 at 09:06 PM. |
#7
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Diy?
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When you get some time for it, would you share some more details about how you plan to fabricate your own custom power cords? Perhaps a thread on the build is in order? Thanks again ~ Bill
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Bill in the Hills OUR VINTAGE MAC: MAC4100, MAC4200 | AMPS: MC452, MC300 | MAC PRE/PROS: MX151, MX130, MX121 | B&W SPEAKERS: (2) N802s, (2) N805s, (1) HTM3S | NEWER EQUIPMENT: Oppo 203 & 105D, Sony X800M2, Denon CDR-W1500 | VIDEO DISPLAY: 65" LG OLED | IMPORTANT NOTE: Zero High-speed internet connections |
#8
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MC501 Club
Quote:
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Bill in the Hills OUR VINTAGE MAC: MAC4100, MAC4200 | AMPS: MC452, MC300 | MAC PRE/PROS: MX151, MX130, MX121 | B&W SPEAKERS: (2) N802s, (2) N805s, (1) HTM3S | NEWER EQUIPMENT: Oppo 203 & 105D, Sony X800M2, Denon CDR-W1500 | VIDEO DISPLAY: 65" LG OLED | IMPORTANT NOTE: Zero High-speed internet connections |
#9
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C39 to MC2KW
Ivan..... One look at either of your sound rooms proves that you've come a long long way from that first C39!
By the way, I love your new avatar photo!
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Bill in the Hills OUR VINTAGE MAC: MAC4100, MAC4200 | AMPS: MC452, MC300 | MAC PRE/PROS: MX151, MX130, MX121 | B&W SPEAKERS: (2) N802s, (2) N805s, (1) HTM3S | NEWER EQUIPMENT: Oppo 203 & 105D, Sony X800M2, Denon CDR-W1500 | VIDEO DISPLAY: 65" LG OLED | IMPORTANT NOTE: Zero High-speed internet connections |
#10
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Moving from Stereo to Mono Blocks
CDobson.... Other than the obvious jump in power spec's, what benefits have you realized by moving from a big Mac stereo amp to a pair of big Mac mono blocks?
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Bill in the Hills OUR VINTAGE MAC: MAC4100, MAC4200 | AMPS: MC452, MC300 | MAC PRE/PROS: MX151, MX130, MX121 | B&W SPEAKERS: (2) N802s, (2) N805s, (1) HTM3S | NEWER EQUIPMENT: Oppo 203 & 105D, Sony X800M2, Denon CDR-W1500 | VIDEO DISPLAY: 65" LG OLED | IMPORTANT NOTE: Zero High-speed internet connections |
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