Don't get me started on McIntosh. Output transformers (well, autoformers) on a solid state amp? What moron thought that was a good idea? I should go and bolt an extra two wheels onto my Subaru. That'll make it handle better. NOT! Output transformers shift phase and introduce distortion. When SS amps promised their elimination, we cheered.
I agree. Sockets can be a potential problem area. I would always approach such things very carefully, if sockets are not already used in the design. Panasonic do use sockets in parts of the instrument and not in others. Which is why I asked the question. I was hopeful that someone else had tried to mod the VP-7721A before me. I have no intense desire to subject my device to be the first.
At present, the VP-7721A is performing well beyond my expectations, so I will likely leave it alone for awhile. After using the Sound Technology 1700B for a couple of decades, the Panasonic is a breath of fresh air.
Thanks for your comments and advice.
The McIntosh MC2105 amp official specs...
105w/ch
Harmonic dist: .25% at full power
IM dist: .25%
Damping factor 10 to 20 range
90 watts AC 120V rating at idle.
..........but, it's McIntosh! 🙄
An output impedance of 0.8 Ohms!? Yikes! Imagine the frequency response with ESLs......
One thing about Macs that hardly anyone mentions: You do get a lot of iron and copper for your money. And excessive mass.
Sound quality? Well, not so much.
And lest I forget....
Those vintage, yet adored old Mac's with their paint flaking off their black glass front panels...
Oh yeah: I forgot about that damned glass. One, tiny mistake....
Fortunately, I never have, but there is always a possibility, when working on those damned things. I believe the latest stuff still uses glass.
I've had to do restorations on those units.
And every one of them, if you even LOOK at it, it makes the black paint flake off!
But of course, if you're obsessed with superficial looks, you can always get a replacement from Mac in NY... for an arm and a leg in cost.
My Quantasylum QA403 arrived the other day. I figured it would be a great idea to measure the THD+N of the Panasonic VP-7721A sig gen. It's pretty damned good.
