MDA1000 back in the house...and another on the way

[Vintage Pete]

Originally Posted by cleeds

That's great news, Pete! Many of us have been through at least one repair saga and while it's never fun, it's always been worth it to me after the component is repaired and returned to service. And now you have a backup - sweeeet!

cleeds....indeed! I had my preamp in the same shop for repair a little while back, and they had it back to me in two days. Obviously, this was a much more complicated problem. I don't like having a component in the shop for 15 minutes, let alone 15 weeks!

I'm definitely happy at this moment, and looking forward to seeing another MDA1000 arrive.

[Fbgbill]

Great news. Of course the whole tech discussion was well above my head but it was interesting none the less. You obviously had a very knowledgeable tech on the problem.

[Vintage Pete]

Okay, I thought I had mentioned somewhere that this seemingly happy ending had gone south, but perhaps not.

So here is the not-so-good UPDATE:

As mentioned, while in Vestal on a visit I procured a second MDA1000 from Audio Classics. At this point, the prospects of seeing a successful repair on my original unit (purchased in early 2015) were looking pretty grim.

Upon my return, I got the call informing that my primary MDA1000 had been successfully repaired. I now had my original unit back again, as well as a "spare".

This is where this thread had left off.

Fast forward 5 months. My repaired MDA1000 starts acting up again, this time in the form of a distorted left channel. Back to ProAudio Electronics it went. The diagnosis was that once again, there was a failure of the DAC chip or chips in the left channel. Since the PCM1701 chips have been discontinued by Burr-Brown, finding replacement chips can be a real problem. I did however locate some "brand new" chips on eBay, from a supplier in China. There are 4 chips per channel in the MDA1000; I purchased 8 on the theory that we could replace the left bank and I would still have 4 "spares" if ever needed.

Replacing first 2, and then all 4 left channel chips proved ineffective, for reasons unknown. At this point, the service manager at McIntosh was contacted. Given a full description of the problem, the history of the unit and the steps taken, he said it seemed ProAudio had taken all the logical steps that would be taken to repair it. He did however agree to take the unit in, and he would "have his engineering team look at it", whatever exactly that means. An RMA was issued, and the unit was sent to Binghamton, It's been a bit over 5 months since the unit was shipped to the factory, and I have as yet heard no feedback at all. I am still using my "spare" MDA1000, which I have had no problems with so far. It is not quite as nice as my primary unit cosmetically (foggy display window), but presents itself well otherwise and works as it should.

I have contacted ProAudio twice last week to see if we can get an update. The service manager was unavailable both times, and I was told the message would be relayed to him and presumably, McIntosh would be emailed for an update.

So, that's where it's at, unfortunately. I'm wondering if I'll ever see the unit again, much less repaired.

[Formerly YB-2]

Pete - indeed, a sad story. You could e-mail McIntosh directly with your RMA# and serial number and ask for a status. McIntosh has always been responsive when I've e-mailed them (though thankfully, never for a repair).
Plus, your 8 Chinese sourced chips may not be 'real'.
Good luck with your MDA1000.

[miner]

I was just wondering about this last week Pete when I saw one for sale at The Music Room. I suppose worst case would be use your chassis and the spares electronics.

[Vintage Pete]

Originally Posted by miner

I was just wondering about this last week Pete when I saw one for sale at The Music Room. I suppose worst case would be use your chassis and the spares electronics.

It would suck either way, but I suppose I could just switch the center portion of the front panel, moving the better one from the original unit over to the working one. May be easier-but maybe not.

[cleeds]

Thanks for the update, Pete. I'm sorry to hear about this recent turn of events and can only imagine your frustration with it. Perhaps it is worth a polite follow-up email to Mac? It couldn't hurt.

[Vintage Pete]

Originally Posted by cleeds

Thanks for the update, Pete. I'm sorry to hear about this recent turn of events and can only imagine your frustration with it. Perhaps it is worth a polite follow-up email to Mac? It couldn't hurt.

Thanks...I do plan to do that. At least I do have a working unit. Something just told me I should get another one, just in case. Good thing I did....