How did you get started with Mac?

[70sMac]

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?

[Fbgbill]

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.

[Yamaki]

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.

[Masterlu]

My first Mac piece was a C39 many moons ago...

[Trompeta Toccata]

Originally Posted by masterlu

my first mac piece was a c39 many moons ago...

mr77.

[cdobson]

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.

[70sMac]

Originally Posted by Fbgbill

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.

Thanks for sharing your Mac story, Bill. As I stated in the opening paragraph of this thread, you deserve high praise for being such a loyal McIntosh fan.

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

[70sMac]

Originally Posted by Yamaki

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.

Yamaki..... You've shared the light-fingered room mate story with me before, but it still gets me every time I think about something like that...but you got back to Mac and you're all the better for it. I mean, seriously, now you're in the MC501 club!

[70sMac]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

My first Mac piece was a C39 many moons ago...

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!

[70sMac]

Originally Posted by cdobson

D100, MEN220, and MC352 in 2013...later migrated to a MC452 and then to MC1.2KW.

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?