| mjarve |
Not exactly DIY, unless you count DIY restoration, but I have an opportunity to get a McIntosh 5100 integrated amp in non-working condition in direct exchange for a harman/kardon 930 receiver in perfect working order. As they say, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, but this may be my only chance to get a piece of Mac gear, unless by some strange fortune I win the lottery.
The problem with the Mac is that it outputs 27VDC at the speaker terminal, cooking speakers. I am thinking that a driver or output transistor is bad, or if it capacitor coupled (would it be?) the output cap for that channel may have shorted. I have not seen the amp yet, and the person who owns it right now is not very technically inclined.
So my first question is this: Is a h/k 930 a fair exchange for a Mac 5100? The little research I performed indicated that it would be, as at least on paper, the amps are very comparable, and the 930 actually had a higher retail price than the 5100 (1973 and 1972 respectively). The 5100 has a higher book value now though.
My second question is: Are McIntosh components, in particular the 5100, fairly easy to service (parts still available, etc.) or is it a money pit? I even heard one rumor that I could send it to McIntosh Labs for repair, costing me only shipping one way, although the Mac site does not bare that out. |
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| anatech |
Hi mjarve,
McIntosh, last I checked, still fully supported their products. There may be some substitutions needed, by the unit should be repairable.
Is this the MA 5100, 45 W/Ch ?
If this is both channels, check the 115VDC bias for the differential pairs. This is not a full rail output, so you don't have a classic shorted output situation. Also, it isn't blowing fuses. This suggests the output stages are okay.
I'd say, go for it. -Chris |
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| mjarve |
Indeed, it is the 45WPC SS version. The current owner indicated, oddly enough, that it sounds fine despite the fact that it will blow the speaker.
I'm going for it. I just know that if I do not, I'll regret it forever. Besides, I have two more 930's tha could use some attention as well. |
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| anatech |
Hi Mike,
Good choice. I've rebuilt lots of 930's. The Mac is worthwhile. It is repairable and it's not transformer output.:D
-Chris |
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