To learn more about electronics, build your own "special" test equipment, and take part in an active electronics community, click here: www.patreon.com/MrCarlsonsLab
Mr Carlson's Lab You can tell that this unit was built with pride, and incredible attention to detail, from all involved. Made in the USA too. If only we could travel back in time, while some things are better today many others are not. Are you going to do a follow up video? I know plenty of units made during the 80s and prior have such issue with pots like these. Wow electrolytic caps that are 40 years old and in perfect condition?!?!?! That IS amazing.
Mr. Carlson, I cannot figure out how to message you on Patreon. I have a NOS 6EM5 tube I have had for almost 40 years. I will never use it since my use of tubes are limited to magic eyes. So I wanted to send it your way. Hopefully you can put it to use. It was part of my light bulb collection from when I was a child. But since this isn’t a light bulb or a rare tube it doesn’t really fit with my other stuff. Thanks for your great content. Keep it up. Look forward to hearing from you. I’m R.b. McBrayer IV on Patreon.
I wonder what type of cleaner you use, & do you use cleaner lubricant or separate? The reason i ask is i have had so much trouble over the years with some cleaners doing more damage than good, eating plastic, dissolving carbon tracks, once i sprayed a dual pot, shaft within a sleeve type & the stuff welded the plastic shaft to the plastic sleeve!
Paul is fantastic when it's about electronic but maybe not the best in advertising:-) Because he do not convey how much you really get! Imagine this channel on steroids and then some, I have only been a Patreon for a short time but have gained so much!! :-)
Paul, you are by far the most meticulous and knowledgeable service/modification technician I have ever encountered -- you've got a superb work ethic and engineering-level expertise way beyond any of the literally dozens of professional bench jockeys I worked with and managed over the years before I retired. Your services would have to cost a small fortune for you to stay in business, but had I the scratch I would hire you in a New York minute -- and considering the value of your time, it's incredibly generous of you to keep posting these highly informative, finely detailed, technically impeccable videos. Thanks so much and please keep up the splendid work!
He has a degree in electrical engineering. It’s a completely different occupation to technicians / electricians as they undertake the design and development of products and their circuitry.
@@BritishEngineer -- One of our bench techs was an EE who simply preferred routine troubleshooting and repair work to actual engineering. He was good enough at that job, but he didn't have a true passion for electronics and wasn't interested in innovative design work at all. It's that abiding interest that distinguishes Paul from the herd, not his formal credentials.
Happy you're looking at vintage stereo equipment. As for spending 2 hours cleaning controls, would be nice to see a video on how you cleaned one of these controls and how you flushed out the dual controls grease.
I’m glad I read your review because I was going to ask the same question. I cleaned my equipment before and just sprayed around the controls front and back when I had the cover and nobs off. It did make a difference.
Totally agree -- not only would I like to see how he did the cleaning, but also how he checked the caps and other internals that he said tested so perfectly.
Agreed. Since the McIntosh equipment has plastic filters behind the glass front panel , one would need to do their utmost to prevent any contact cleaner from going down the VR shafts out toward the front and possibly getting between the aforementioned. If I were going to do such a thorough VR cleaning and flushing I would seriously consider removing the glass if I were doing this just to be safe.
My buddy from childhood (back in the 70's) older brother purchased a complete McIntosh system. I remember the speakers were taller than I was! (little brother and friend were NOT TO TOUCH ANYTHING!!!) It was extremely loud, and extremely clean sounding!!! I also remember the rep from the place he bought the equipment from spent a couple of days setting up the system and adjusting it for the room it was in. I don't remember how much he paid for the system, but I remember him saying that he could have bought a new car for what he paid for the system ;-) Excellent video as usual Mr Carlson :-)
Good morning Mister Another pure gem of science !!! with you Mister i understand many things .... Thanks for all and sorry for my langage i'm living in France and at 62 Years old .... God bless you and your familly Eric
Why in the world are there any dislikes? This man does this for a living and then spends the time record, edit, and upload these videos. Well I can say I liked it in many ways. And yes McIntosh equipment is very nice. I've been associated with a few pieces of their car audio equipment. When the owner of "Black Betty" decided on the amps when for the highest score ever set record for Sound Quality, he picked the McIntosh MCC602TM.....times four!
I've heard folks complain about him,, and this video is a GREAT example. At about the 17:25 mark after showing us the issues with the pots and switches he comes back and says now let's see how we did after just a 1 pass cleaning. BUT HE NEVER SHOWS US WHAT HE DID TO CLEAN. And isn't that the whole point?? Does he mean he ran it through his dishwasher? Did he just spray DeOxIt? Where did he spray? Are there access holes in the pots to facilitate cleaning? And what do you do if there aren't?? I didn't down-vote but many who are looking for real help and stumbled on this video, it really isn't much of that help. Heck, a case can be made (considering the customer has had it working) that the whole scope setup etc just showed what he could have learned hooking up some speakers and jiggling controls as well. I really love this guy and watch a lot of his videos but I can see where he does miss the point sometimes.
I cleaned my Marantz 2500 controls about 10 years ago. It was a big job. I didn't know about doing a second pass. Sure enough, within a few months noise came back. I haven't gone back in, but this tip gives me inspiration to do a better job next time.
I had a McIntosh receiver many years ago. It was taken in a burglary. :( The insurance agent said "I don't know how you did this but your stereo appreciated in value." That is how good these things are.
I used to Install those Macs. The amps. And all there equipment. Very fine equipment. Sound along with top notch speakers and puts you in a dream world.
Those McIntosh are really top quality equipment... I really wish I could get my hands on one but they are very expensive. I am also a Patreon Supporter and I can never get enough of it. I recommend every one to support and join in on the great stuff that is on there. Thanks Paul for another great video.
8 minutes+ to get the lid off. You sir, are a born suspense builder. I enjoy your knowledgeable rants about every single part and component. I would like to see you do some work, like the cleaning and soldering, and not just be shown the before and after.
Hello Mr. Carlson: I love your video's, from start to finish. Your articulate and savvy with your work on video. I extremely enjoy all aspects of audio / tube equipment you tear into and refurbish new. Please keep up your video's on you tube. It's fun learning with your knowledge. "Thank You"
Thanks Ann C. for your nice agreement. Mr. Carlson has a educated and inspiring gift of teaching and even counts the screws to us viewers for disassembly (PUN INTENDED). Will add to his Patreon soon... "Kevin"
Your just conformed my reasoning for preferring the Macintosh brand over all others, I first built my audio system back in the day (mid-sixties) while still in collage (University of Texas). At present I now have the time to set back and truly enjoy my audio system which remains as I first built it way back when. Later!
I can only say that I have had my McIntosh 1201 Mono Block amps for a long time now and they sound great. .... no issues. .... So,... I think everything you said was right on about quality. McIntosh is HARD to beat! .... Thanks Paul.
Its a pleasure watching the appreciation and repair of a product whose designers had the likes of you in mind. Its so tragic the same cannot be said for most modern consumer products.
Some very good advice there. My old Technics amplifier, bought in the early 80'ies, had some scratching on the volume control (motor driven by remote) and input selector. I gave it a good clean. And it worked for a couple of months. I thought it was a lost case I have lived with the scratching for quite a few years now. But after this video I will give it another go and do it the proper way this time. Thanks for yet another well made and enjoyable video.
Thank you ever so much Paul for this restoration. It is so cool seeing what I feel, one of the best of the best pieces of sound reproduction being serviced. When I was 21, I was lucky enough to hear the most beautiful sound reproduction in my life for the first time. For those who have never heard just how amazing music can sound, you need to hear a McIntosh system. It is utterly breath taking. It is like hearing music for the very first time. I must warn you, you will then dream of owning one if not you do not just buy one. McIntosh replicates music so pure. The systems brand new can be very very expensive. I was able to find 2 good MC2105 amps (circa 1965) that I paid only a few hundred dollars for, then serviced, that I will convert to mono blocks. I wanted a good tube pre amp. So I bought a new C222 (which is a tube preamp) which can handle moving coil and moving magnet carts. The sound is pristine. Component systems took a real beating and are still considered by many as non essential in the music listening world today. Thankfully, there are still companies as McIntosh striving to maintain excellence. McIntosh is an investment. It will never be worth less than you paid for it. A clean, well maintained MC250 is worth several times what it cost in the 1960s. It was re- introduced a few years ago for the 50th anniversary costing well over $7000. Many would cringe to pay that for a stereo amp. But it will never go down in value. Finding high end matched tubes for that amp could cost another two thousand. But it will be a piece of usable music reproduction that ones great great grandchildren can enjoy. Parts are quite available; they even offer new glass fronts for the units as many of the older units get damaged. Pure quality end to end.
In those few seconds of silence at the beginning of this segment I made the mistake of turning my volume up. Then when Mr. Carlson, all chipper, came in with, "Hi, everyone!" I just about jumped out of my seat!
I lusted after McIntosh equipment when I was a teenager, back in the 1970s. My wet dream was a McIntosh preamp, Phase Linear power amp, Garrard linear-tracking turntable, and a pair of Altec-Lansing Voice of the Theatre speakers. Couldn't afford it then; can't afford it now. Sigh...
Voice of the Theatre speakers are amazing. A theatre friend of mine owns a set of those. Saved them from the scrap when one of the places where he worked was getting fully renovated. Sadly he didn't manage to salvage the two tube amps that were used with them... They've been in his basement for about 10 years now. The space is a bit too small for the speakers to get to their full potential. But he keeps them, for that one day that he might get a huge house. After all, once you sell them, you're not likely to find a new pair ever.
Convince him that they are dry rotting or wet rotting in there. then he might part with them. I think that's also a pipe dream. 8-( At least get him to throw a block party with them, plenty of space outside! They should be heard again.
@@mfbfreak Is there a brand of speakers called "Voice Of The Theatre"? I'll Google more info if so. And if so, what does your friend being a "Theater Friend" have anything to do with a brand of speakers? A theater friend. Is that a person that you met in a theater and later became friends with ? Is this person an actor in a theater or a critic? Mentioning what your friend's interest or occupation is should not even be relevant in your comment, much less relevant to the brand of speakers you are mentioning, which happen to have the name theater in them . It's just plain weird and strange.
Why does it bother you so much? Do you require documentation of the events that transpired, formatted as dry as a court record? Anyway: - Voice of the Theatre is a series of speakers, produced under the Altec Lansing brandname. Considering my reaction was to someone who already knows what they are, i am not gonna write down what they already knew. - Anyone who is quite rich can buy a pair of VOTT's on Ebay. But part of what makes the story interesting is the background of the person who happened to stumble upon them, literally saving them from being thrown in the trash. I know for sure the car enthousiasts i know wouldn't have saved them, nor would the sports enthousiasts have done that.
Voice of the Theatre speakers were made by Altec (Altec/Lansing) during the late 50's to mid 60's. They were their top of the line. They were actually used in a lot of theaters because they were so efficient and could project very high sound levels into big rooms. The unfinished version (i.e., no finished cabinetry or fancy veneer) was made specifically for this use.
Thanks for showing me where to look on my C29 for flaws. Is there a video showing how to clean the VR? In the day, McIntosh was known to dissect electronic components to ensure that even if they met electronic specifications they also met specified construction specifications. Obtaining classical McIntosh equipment that was produced while Frank McIntosh still owned the company is rather like purchasing a Ferrari while Enzo was the owner.
clawly: I have thought of that several times. he probably lives right on the quake line in Cali. I really enjoy his videos for many years. some stuff like the 555 scope seem overdone, till I watched eev dumpster diving and found an oscilloscope worth over 300k all he had to do was plug in the plugin inside the case. sheesh. it worked down to nanometers of light travel in a wire.
I just revisited this one after originally watching it when you first released it. I thought I'd gleaned all the goodness the first time around, but I was wrong, I've now gained even more great Mr Carlson knowledge! Paul, your videos are so professionally made, but I'm sure there have to be some bloopers in there somewhere. We've been locked down, socially distanced, and had to run to get the last toilet role on sale. Come on now Paul, let's be seeing some of those out takes!
Another great video Paul! You must be remarkably busy with this and your patreon efforts. I just don't know how you do it. But I sure am grateful for everything that you do for us and can't thank you enough.
Great video as always! I'm particularly happy to see McIntosh gear on your bench. Not only are they amazing, they operate here in the city I live in; Binghamton, NY -- it's pretty awesome seeing it on a nameplate in your video. I wish they were a bit more affordable so I could support local business, but I suppose they probably don't need much help at their prices!
This sort of issue with controls is pretty common so this is an amazingly helpful/instructional piece on troubleshooting and effecting repair! Cheers heaps Paul!
Nice video mr Paul as usual, and surprising a good quality preamp neat and solid design. I know that there is a lot trick and Technic that you wouldn't show in this video, but I Encourage all the viewers to join ongoing course on patreon and you'll fine what you're looking for. Thanks so much again sir.
Absolutely love vintage McIntosh amps and pre-amp. Proud owner of the C26 preamp and MC2505 Power Amp. I just had them serviced alongside the EQ 101. Music bliss.
About 10 years ago, I was lucky enough to own a complete McIntosh set from the late '70s including a C29 preamp. I regret selling them....would have been great candidates for thorough servicing and years of enjoyment. They are really fantastic gear - but priced accordingly.
Nice video. Mcintosh made great equipment. The front panels are glass with lettering on back side. They never are touched so they don't wear out. I was a McIntosh repairman in the 70's. The equipment was usually shipped with the service manual and schematics. They are readily available. I have done restoration on old MAC power amps and the electrolytics in the signal paths usually had to be replaced.
haha, While you mentioned how easy it is to get into you just brought back a memory from the late 90's of trying to get into a late 70's/early 80's Bang and Olufsen Beomaster, (pegs and wedges,who thought that was a good idea?),It was like an IQ and lateral thinking test in 1 and if you couldn't pass it without breaking something you shouldn't really be trying to fix it lol. Another good, well explained vid. thank you.All the best.
Nothing like Mc. Built with longevity as well as service-ability in mind. Many times Mc gear is passed down father to son//daughter, it becomes a generational thing that the child grows up hearing and loving as much as the parent. I have the C-32, also a C-28 and some others, The 28 and 32 were inherited, along with some early Marantz gear, which is another manufacturer that built beloved audio gear, both tube and solid state. Often times this era of gear needs next to nothing to keep going, at the most some caps like to fail if it wasn't abused. The low leakage caps in the tone controls hold up well, the power supply caps may need replacement at this age. I see the 10v variety essentially fall apart and unroll, going open. Changing failing or weak power supply caps and drifting resistors will typically improve the unit's sound quality by providing it with more stable and cleaner power supply. The mistakes begin with people who use the wrong caps, go overkill with 105c flavored whammy-jammy boutique cryo treated components, increasing many times the original capacitance and/or voltage used. The ratings which the factory engineers spec'd work the best. If it ain't broke don't fix it. Thanks for taking this one in and giving everyone here a look inside a true time capsule. I love to watch guys who enjoy working on both Mc and Marantz stuff, as well as Sansui, Pioneer, Audio Research, Kenwood/Trio, etc. Golden age of audio is what I call this stuff.. Cheers!
I remember distinctly seeing a big McIntosh amp in an audio store as a kid... I had no idea what they were at the time, and had no idea what money meant (and I didn't know the price anyways, so I wasn't just looking at it because it was expensive) but I stared at it like it was the crown jewels... Only later on did I find out it was a truly fine piece of equipment.
used to have an MC-240 AND AN MX-110--GREAT UNITS however the mx 110 was heavilly modified---had to sell both in 1996--------i have regreted it since..i have a real nicedyna 35 stereo and an lafayette amp both sound great-----tubes 4ever thanx
McIntosh is expensive as heck, but you get a really well made piece of electronics for your money, as you see :)) would be proud to own one of their amps. Btw... I love your lab. Looks like a mad scientists hideout, who does his thing. Love it
This is a beautiful preamp! My best friend from childhood inherited his fathers McIntosh setup and it's beautiful! Heavily used, but loved and truly awesome to behold! I don't know what model(s) they are but it's the whole setup, amp, preamp, tuner, eq... Etc, a whole system.
Every now and then I come across a low time but old electronic device and the electrolytic caps test fine. I'm always surprised. BTW - I'm a Patreon supporter and I can't recommend it enough. There's a lot of great info there.
On gear that was made with top shelf components.... stuff that runs on lower voltages like 24v solid state amps usually have a pretty long cap life in my experience.
Hi Paul . Am I right in thinking that spraying lots of contact cleaner into a VR can flush the lubricant from the shaft and cause contamination from that , and eventually the shaft might seize also .
Thanks for making these videos Mr. Carlson. Always learn something new I never thought about after all these years of working on electronics! Do more videos on Mcintosh gear, bought my first Mc amp a MC275 a few months ago! :)
Thank you Paul for sharing your incredible knowledge and experience with us. Unbelievable how much we've learned in the last 18 months in your course. I can't thank your enough for helping me to to get access to this great electronics hobby!
Awesome!! I personally like the C28 more since it has the center channel output and volume control. I'm a big fan 3 channel stereo, especially if your system is also your tv speakers the center really helps with dialogue making it sound more like its coming from the tv. It really anchors drums and the stage too in music.These older Macs are amazing with vintage Klipsch's too.
I have a pair of MC-60 amps and matching tube-type preamp (stereo), tuner (monaural), and phono cartridge compensator. My grandfather bought them from Picar in Detroit, back in the 1950s. I used to use them, but I haven't fired them up for 30 or 40 years, and now I'm afraid to just plug them in. I need something like your current-limited Variac setup. (I do have a 15 amp Variac, but not the rest of your setup.) I modified a stereo add-on kit to work with the tuner (without modifying the tuner), so I could receive FM stations in stereo.
Dielectric grease to prevent contact oxidation. This is a common practice harsh environments but would it be applicable for the VRs and switches in the C29? Would you explain your answer?
Mr. Carlson, I have found that when it comes to rubber like materials (say, I dunno, buna-n) a very light oil sparingly applied and wiped off of any excess really does help with the longevity of them. It's like feeding leather, almost. Yes, yes before people jump in, some rubbers especially natural rubbers are adversely affected by oil.
Every time I watch one of your videos on audio gear and you go through detailed description of what is quality and what special procedures, devices or shielding was used to enhance the quality and it keeps adding Procedures and components To my beginner hobbyist amplifier and preamplifier builds. I caught the never ending perfection bug.
Thank you for the video. I was a little disappointed that you didn't show som clips from the cleaning, what kind of cleaner, ways if applying it correctly, etc. But hopefully you will make a follow up video about that. BR, Per (Denmark)
Great video. Very nice equipment. When cleaning vr's; sometimes they are pretty well sealed. If you get the opportunity, with another cleaning, show how you address cleaning vr's that are very well sealed. Thanks.
When cleaning the VR’s with a appropriate cleaner, does it help to use a dust air spray to help remove any loosen debris or is that really not going to help with the cleanup? I was wondering since I have old electrical tester for cars to set dwell angles and such and these units where bought in the 1970’s and I really can not see if there is any problems with them as I use them on my 1970’s cars collection. Thanks for this video since they are very informative, I really learn a lot that I have forgotten over the years.
How do you feel about the Cerwin Vega vintage power AMPs made from 1970 to 1980 M1800 A1800 A3000 75 lb monster amplifiers .... I have 3'- 50 years young. Still work and pumping out bass to rock the windows and walls....
Hi Mr Carlson thank you for this great informative video as always detail oriented and very helpful. I have a Mcintosh power amp. I’d like to clean the VU meter sensitivity switch in the front. What kind of contact cleaner would you recommend? Thank you.
This is where the motivation to DIY comes from, for many people. A product with this price tag, with about 10 bucks worth of components for the preamp (as far as I can see, power supply excluded). Yes, transformer, switches and case is where the money is spent. Still, a product with this price tag, with a $10 preamp. I think that is funny somehow.
Beautiful video, thank you! Wish you would have showed how you flush the vr‘s...for me it’s always the little and sometimes the most obvious things were I learn the most.
I remember reading article about audiophiles and how some of them swear that sound is better if you remove top lead from CD player or some other piece of equipment... But hey, audiophiles just have that magical ability to break the laws of physics :P
Interesting. Toward the end of the video you could see the level meter for your audio reflecting in the shiny panel of the Mac, and every once in a while I saw you hitting the red light. Gain that down a little bit! 🙂
Great video! Thanks. I would love to see you wash a couple of pots and switches out to see how it's done and which cleaner is used. A WARNING ABOUT CONTACT CLEANER. It will DESTROY some face plates! I ruined the face on a Yaesu 726 once, and another time I washed out the carbon track on the volume control (dual pot) on a model 70 Philco. (I was young) Who knew that they used paper and pencil track for volume pots in 1933. Thanks again!
Hello Mr Carlson. In this video, right next to your bench, left side, I see the HP 8551/851 A or B spectrum analyzer but it seems it is not working because the power switch is in ON position, with no sign of be actually ON. Do you have in mind the set up, repair or restoration of this "monster" from the 60's? (I call my 8551/851B, "my monster" because weights almost 100 pounds in total). The thing is that after many many hours of work trying to repair/restore my analyzer, still doesn't work the way it should be. I know it could be a tedious project just but wanted to know if you have any plans to do it. Thank you
I have a C29 that is in complete mint state. It is performing without any issue whatsoever. All the lightblue electrolytics are of course 40 years old. Would it be recommended to leave it alone and not perform a caprevisions?
paul...what was the name and number of the MG Chemicals Contact Cleaner with the gold band you use to clean your radio receivers....I think it had a Gold or Red band?
When you clean the pots, do you remove the backs to expose the contacts and clean directly? Or do you just spray in from the sides and hope for the best? I have a great quality solid state guitar amp that I got new and let sit a couple years. The pots are VERY noisy. But despite spaying contact cleaner in EVERYTHING twice, days apart, they are still noisy. Any suggestions? Thank!
If I was the owner I would like to have all the capacitors replaced. Originality is fine, but perfect sound is even better. Old electrolytic capacitors that were powerless for a long time are little time bombs.
Excellent video of a wonderful preamp. For those of us who are following along, please always include the test details (e.g. where the generator and scope connect to, generator power and frequency, 'scope settings). Any warnings about test setup, etc. A couple of seconds of info, is invaluable to us inexperienced acolytes. How did you clean/lube the binding VR shafts?
My interest in electronics started early. Around age 13 I became really interested in high fidelity audio. At that point I was sure I wanted to pursue electronics professionally when I grew up, and my dream was to work for McIntosh! Oh, what might have been! I never lost my love for audio, but in my mid teens I also discovered computers, right smack in the midst of the microcomputer revolution (late '70s and early '80s). So today, professionally, I'm a computer engineer who mostly writes low-level embedded software that controls computer hardware. But in my free time, I "get my hands dirty" in my home electronics lab. Several of my in-progress projects are hi-fi gear. And now I have far cooler tools and test equipment than I had as a kid! Life is good! Hmmm.... I still need to get some McIntosh equipment someday... :-)
To learn more about electronics, build your own "special" test equipment, and take part in an active electronics community, click here: www.patreon.com/MrCarlsonsLab
Mr Carlson's Lab
You can tell that this unit was built with pride, and incredible attention to detail, from all involved. Made in the USA too. If only we could travel back in time, while some things are better today many others are not. Are you going to do a follow up video? I know plenty of units made during the 80s and prior have such issue with pots like these. Wow electrolytic caps that are 40 years old and in perfect condition?!?!?! That IS amazing.
Mr. Carlson, I cannot figure out how to message you on Patreon. I have a NOS 6EM5 tube I have had for almost 40 years. I will never use it since my use of tubes are limited to magic eyes. So I wanted to send it your way. Hopefully you can put it to use. It was part of my light bulb collection from when I was a child. But since this isn’t a light bulb or a rare tube it doesn’t really fit with my other stuff.
Thanks for your great content. Keep it up. Look forward to hearing from you.
I’m R.b. McBrayer IV on Patreon.
I wonder what type of cleaner you use, & do you use cleaner lubricant or separate? The reason i ask is i have had so much trouble over the years with some cleaners doing more damage than good, eating plastic, dissolving carbon tracks, once i sprayed a dual pot, shaft within a sleeve type & the stuff welded the plastic shaft to the plastic sleeve!
@@rbmwiv If you still need to know how to contact him, just answer here and I'll write you a message in Patreon on how to.
Paul is fantastic when it's about electronic but maybe not the best in advertising:-) Because he do not convey how much you really get! Imagine this channel on steroids and then some, I have only been a Patreon for a short time but have gained so much!! :-)
Paul, you are by far the most meticulous and knowledgeable service/modification technician I have ever encountered -- you've got a superb work ethic and engineering-level expertise way beyond any of the literally dozens of professional bench jockeys I worked with and managed over the years before I retired. Your services would have to cost a small fortune for you to stay in business, but had I the scratch I would hire you in a New York minute -- and considering the value of your time, it's incredibly generous of you to keep posting these highly informative, finely detailed, technically impeccable videos.
Thanks so much and please keep up the splendid work!
Thanks for your kind comment Bruce!
Bruce Morgen that's right. Your said it there. Thanks for the acknowledgement and good luck. 😊👍
Don't ride it too hard or it'll break
He has a degree in electrical engineering. It’s a completely different occupation to technicians / electricians as they undertake the design and development of products and their circuitry.
@@BritishEngineer -- One of our bench techs was an EE who simply preferred routine troubleshooting and repair work to actual engineering. He was good enough at that job, but he didn't have a true passion for electronics and wasn't interested in innovative design work at all. It's that abiding interest that distinguishes Paul from the herd, not his formal credentials.
Happy you're looking at vintage stereo equipment. As for spending 2 hours cleaning controls, would be nice to see a video on how you cleaned one of these controls and how you flushed out the dual controls grease.
I’m glad I read your review because I was going to ask the same question. I cleaned my equipment before and just sprayed around the controls front and back when I had the cover and nobs off. It did make a difference.
Totally agree -- not only would I like to see how he did the cleaning, but also how he checked the caps and other internals that he said tested so perfectly.
Agreed. Since the McIntosh equipment has plastic filters behind the glass front panel , one would need to do their utmost to prevent any contact cleaner from going down the VR shafts out toward the front and possibly getting between the aforementioned. If I were going to do such a thorough VR cleaning and flushing I would seriously consider removing the glass if I were doing this just to be safe.
My buddy from childhood (back in the 70's) older brother purchased a complete McIntosh system. I remember the speakers were taller than I was! (little brother and friend were NOT TO TOUCH ANYTHING!!!) It was extremely loud, and extremely clean sounding!!! I also remember the rep from the place he bought the equipment from spent a couple of days setting up the system and adjusting it for the room it was in. I don't remember how much he paid for the system, but I remember him saying that he could have bought a new car for what he paid for the system ;-) Excellent video as usual Mr Carlson :-)
Thanks for sharing your story Brian!
Could of had a race Hemi Cuda.
Good morning Mister
Another pure gem of science !!! with you Mister i understand many things .... Thanks for all and sorry for my langage i'm living in France and at 62 Years old ....
God bless you and your familly
Eric
Why in the world are there any dislikes?
This man does this for a living and then spends the time record, edit, and upload these videos.
Well I can say I liked it in many ways.
And yes McIntosh equipment is very nice. I've been associated with a few pieces of their car audio equipment. When the owner of "Black Betty" decided on the amps when for the highest score ever set record for Sound Quality, he picked the McIntosh MCC602TM.....times four!
I've heard folks complain about him,, and this video is a GREAT example. At about the 17:25 mark after showing us the issues with the pots and switches he comes back and says now let's see how we did after just a 1 pass cleaning. BUT HE NEVER SHOWS US WHAT HE DID TO CLEAN. And isn't that the whole point?? Does he mean he ran it through his dishwasher? Did he just spray DeOxIt? Where did he spray? Are there access holes in the pots to facilitate cleaning? And what do you do if there aren't??
I didn't down-vote but many who are looking for real help and stumbled on this video, it really isn't much of that help. Heck, a case can be made (considering the customer has had it working) that the whole scope setup etc just showed what he could have learned hooking up some speakers and jiggling controls as well.
I really love this guy and watch a lot of his videos but I can see where he does miss the point sometimes.
I cleaned my Marantz 2500 controls about 10 years ago. It was a big job. I didn't know about doing a second pass. Sure enough, within a few months noise came back. I haven't gone back in, but this tip gives me inspiration to do a better job next time.
3:28 The box-flip wipe was epic!!
I had a McIntosh receiver many years ago. It was taken in a burglary. :( The insurance agent said "I don't know how you did this but your stereo appreciated in value." That is how good these things are.
I used to Install those Macs. The amps. And all there equipment. Very fine equipment. Sound along with top notch speakers and puts you in a dream world.
I really loved the look of the McIntosh when I was a kid, still do. Great job Paul.
Those McIntosh are really top quality equipment... I really wish I could get my hands on one but they are very expensive. I am also a Patreon Supporter and I can never get enough of it. I recommend every one to support and join in on the great stuff that is on there. Thanks Paul for another great video.
There's a surprising amount of McIntosh equipment out there.
@@deuteronimus750 yes, of course :) Potentiometers looks like in a cheap Chinese radio :) Mega Hi-enD!
8 minutes+ to get the lid off. You sir, are a born suspense builder. I enjoy your knowledgeable rants about every single part and component. I would like to see you do some work, like the cleaning and soldering, and not just be shown the before and after.
Hello Mr. Carlson: I love your video's, from start to finish. Your articulate and savvy with your work on video. I extremely enjoy all aspects of audio / tube equipment you tear into and refurbish new. Please keep up your video's on you tube. It's fun learning with your knowledge. "Thank You"
Thanks Ann C. for your nice agreement. Mr. Carlson has a educated and inspiring gift of teaching and even counts the screws to us viewers for disassembly (PUN INTENDED). Will add to his Patreon soon... "Kevin"
these vids are priceless-------i wish i knew as much as MR CARLSON
I am literally salivating over that McIntosh. Thanks lad.
You, Mr. Carlson are a very articulate and knowledgeable perfectionist and I enjoy your videos very much.
Your just conformed my reasoning for preferring the Macintosh brand over all others, I first built my audio system back in the day (mid-sixties) while still in collage (University of Texas). At present I now have the time to set back and truly enjoy my audio system which remains as I first built it way back when. Later!
Ohh my... This is a real jewel, looks brand new...SWEEEET!! this is the stereo equipment I'm used to getting wrapped up into..... I'm so jelly ;)
I can only say that I have had my McIntosh 1201 Mono Block amps for a long time now and they sound great. .... no issues. .... So,... I think everything you said was right on about quality. McIntosh is HARD to beat! .... Thanks Paul.
You and Applied Science are my favorite TH-camrs. Keep up the great content.
Its a pleasure watching the appreciation and repair of a product whose designers had the likes of you in mind. Its so tragic the same cannot be said for most modern consumer products.
Thanks Paul. Man, I never get tired of looking at the opening shot, wow! That McIntosh Preamp is gorgeous!
Watch Mcintosh factory tours here on YT .
Some very good advice there. My old Technics amplifier, bought in the early 80'ies, had some scratching on the volume control (motor driven by remote) and input selector. I gave it a good clean. And it worked for a couple of months. I thought it was a lost case I have lived with the scratching for quite a few years now. But after this video I will give it another go and do it the proper way this time.
Thanks for yet another well made and enjoyable video.
What a wonderful piece of knowledge and history. I think all americans should get back into this type of learning. Thanks Paul.
Mr. Carlson takes some mighty hefty breaths.
Thank you ever so much Paul for this restoration. It is so cool seeing what I feel, one of the best of the best pieces of sound reproduction being serviced.
When I was 21, I was lucky enough to hear the most beautiful sound reproduction in my life for the first time.
For those who have never heard just how amazing music can sound, you need to hear a McIntosh system. It is utterly breath taking. It is like hearing music for the very first time.
I must warn you, you will then dream of owning one if not you do not just buy one. McIntosh replicates music so pure. The systems brand new can be very very expensive.
I was able to find 2 good MC2105 amps (circa 1965) that I paid only a few hundred dollars for, then serviced, that I will convert to mono blocks. I wanted a good tube pre amp. So I bought a new C222 (which is a tube preamp) which can handle moving coil and moving magnet carts. The sound is pristine.
Component systems took a real beating and are still considered by many as non essential in the music listening world today. Thankfully, there are still companies as McIntosh striving to maintain excellence. McIntosh is an investment. It will never be worth less than you paid for it. A clean, well maintained MC250 is worth several times what it cost in the 1960s. It was re- introduced a few years ago for the 50th anniversary costing well over $7000.
Many would cringe to pay that for a stereo amp. But it will never go down in value. Finding high end matched tubes for that amp could cost another two thousand. But it will be a piece of usable music reproduction that ones great great grandchildren can enjoy. Parts are quite available; they even offer new glass fronts for the units as many of the older units get damaged. Pure quality end to end.
In those few seconds of silence at the beginning of this segment I made the mistake of turning my volume up. Then when Mr. Carlson, all chipper, came in with, "Hi, everyone!" I just about jumped out of my seat!
My life has found peace. Mr. carlson put out a new video :-)
I lusted after McIntosh equipment when I was a teenager, back in the 1970s. My wet dream was a McIntosh preamp, Phase Linear power amp, Garrard linear-tracking turntable, and a pair of Altec-Lansing Voice of the Theatre speakers. Couldn't afford it then; can't afford it now. Sigh...
Voice of the Theatre speakers are amazing. A theatre friend of mine owns a set of those. Saved them from the scrap when one of the places where he worked was getting fully renovated.
Sadly he didn't manage to salvage the two tube amps that were used with them...
They've been in his basement for about 10 years now. The space is a bit too small for the speakers to get to their full potential. But he keeps them, for that one day that he might get a huge house. After all, once you sell them, you're not likely to find a new pair ever.
Convince him that they are dry rotting or wet rotting in there. then he might part with them. I think that's also a pipe dream. 8-(
At least get him to throw a block party with them, plenty of space outside! They should be heard again.
@@mfbfreak Is there a brand of speakers called "Voice Of The Theatre"? I'll Google more info if so. And if so, what does your friend being a "Theater Friend" have anything to do with a brand of speakers? A theater friend. Is that a person that you met in a theater and later became friends with ? Is this person an actor in a theater or a critic? Mentioning what your friend's interest or occupation is should not even be relevant in your comment, much less relevant to the brand of speakers you are mentioning, which happen to have the name theater in them . It's just plain weird and strange.
Why does it bother you so much? Do you require documentation of the events that transpired, formatted as dry as a court record?
Anyway:
- Voice of the Theatre is a series of speakers, produced under the Altec Lansing brandname. Considering my reaction was to someone who already knows what they are, i am not gonna write down what they already knew.
- Anyone who is quite rich can buy a pair of VOTT's on Ebay. But part of what makes the story interesting is the background of the person who happened to stumble upon them, literally saving them from being thrown in the trash. I know for sure the car enthousiasts i know wouldn't have saved them, nor would the sports enthousiasts have done that.
Voice of the Theatre speakers were made by Altec (Altec/Lansing) during the late 50's to mid 60's. They were their top of the line. They were actually used in a lot of theaters because they were so efficient and could project very high sound levels into big rooms. The unfinished version (i.e., no finished cabinetry or fancy veneer) was made specifically for this use.
Thanks for showing me where to look on my C29 for flaws. Is there a video showing how to clean the VR?
In the day, McIntosh was known to dissect electronic components to ensure that even if they met electronic specifications they also met specified construction specifications. Obtaining classical McIntosh equipment that was produced while Frank McIntosh still owned the company is rather like purchasing a Ferrari while Enzo was the owner.
"Man found crushed under piles of electronic test equipment" Runs through my mind every opening sequence :P
clawly: I have thought of that several times. he probably lives right on the quake line in Cali. I really enjoy his videos for many years. some stuff like the 555 scope seem overdone, till I watched eev dumpster diving and found an oscilloscope worth over 300k all he had to do was plug in the plugin inside the case. sheesh. it worked down to nanometers of light travel in a wire.
Paublus Americanus I think Paul lives in Canada.
I think he lives up in B.C. as he does not celebrate U.S. holidays.
Yes he lives in the lower mainland of B.C. We are in an earthquake zone (Juan de Fuca)
Paublus Americanus
eev dumpster diving and found an oscilloscope worth over 300k
I believe that was an April fools joke by eev.
I just revisited this one after originally watching it when you first released it. I thought I'd gleaned all the goodness the first time around, but I was wrong, I've now gained even more great Mr Carlson knowledge! Paul, your videos are so professionally made, but I'm sure there have to be some bloopers in there somewhere. We've been locked down, socially distanced, and had to run to get the last toilet role on sale. Come on now Paul, let's be seeing some of those out takes!
Build quality is second to none
Great work Paul and what a classy unit that is.
Thanks Ash!
Another great video Paul! You must be remarkably busy with this and your patreon efforts. I just don't know how you do it. But I sure am grateful for everything that you do for us and can't thank you enough.
Great video as always!
I'm particularly happy to see McIntosh gear on your bench. Not only are they amazing, they operate here in the city I live in; Binghamton, NY -- it's pretty awesome seeing it on a nameplate in your video.
I wish they were a bit more affordable so I could support local business, but I suppose they probably don't need much help at their prices!
I don't have a clue what you're talking about but it's fun to watch.
This sort of issue with controls is pretty common so this is an amazingly helpful/instructional piece on troubleshooting and effecting repair! Cheers heaps Paul!
Nice video mr Paul as usual, and surprising a good quality preamp neat and solid design. I know that there is a lot trick and Technic that you wouldn't show in this video, but I Encourage all the viewers to join ongoing course on patreon and you'll fine what you're looking for. Thanks so much again sir.
Absolutely love vintage McIntosh amps and pre-amp. Proud owner of the C26 preamp and MC2505 Power Amp. I just had them serviced alongside the EQ 101. Music bliss.
If it's not too much to ask, what kind of coin did that Servicing run you? Just curious
Do you open up the VR's, or just shoot contact cleaner inside without opening them ?
About 10 years ago, I was lucky enough to own a complete McIntosh set from the late '70s including a C29 preamp. I regret selling them....would have been great candidates for thorough servicing and years of enjoyment. They are really fantastic gear - but priced accordingly.
Thank you for spending your time with all .Your very skilled and I enjoy watching you work. Again, thank you.
Nice video. Mcintosh made great equipment. The front panels are glass with lettering on back side. They never are touched so they don't wear out. I was a McIntosh repairman in the 70's. The equipment was usually shipped with the service manual and schematics. They are readily available. I have done restoration on old MAC power amps and the electrolytics in the signal paths usually had to be replaced.
To correct you, Macintosh MAKES great solid equipment to this day
haha, While you mentioned how easy it is to get into you just brought back a memory from the late 90's of trying to get into a late 70's/early 80's Bang and Olufsen Beomaster, (pegs and wedges,who thought that was a good idea?),It was like an IQ and lateral thinking test in 1 and if you couldn't pass it without breaking something you shouldn't really be trying to fix it lol. Another good, well explained vid. thank you.All the best.
Nothing like Mc. Built with longevity as well as service-ability in mind. Many times Mc gear is passed down father to son//daughter, it becomes a generational thing that the child grows up hearing and loving as much as the parent. I have the C-32, also a C-28 and some others, The 28 and 32 were inherited, along with some early Marantz gear, which is another manufacturer that built beloved audio gear, both tube and solid state.
Often times this era of gear needs next to nothing to keep going, at the most some caps like to fail if it wasn't abused. The low leakage caps in the tone controls hold up well, the power supply caps may need replacement at this age. I see the 10v variety essentially fall apart and unroll, going open. Changing failing or weak power supply caps and drifting resistors will typically improve the unit's sound quality by providing it with more stable and cleaner power supply.
The mistakes begin with people who use the wrong caps, go overkill with 105c flavored whammy-jammy boutique cryo treated components, increasing many times the original capacitance and/or voltage used. The ratings which the factory engineers spec'd work the best. If it ain't broke don't fix it. Thanks for taking this one in and giving everyone here a look inside a true time capsule. I love to watch guys who enjoy working on both Mc and Marantz stuff, as well as Sansui, Pioneer, Audio Research, Kenwood/Trio, etc. Golden age of audio is what I call this stuff.. Cheers!
Oh YEAH DR. CARLSON. Goin' right to the "favorites" for later! Thx!
Proud owner of 2 pieces of McIntosh gear. I consider them as "lifetime plus" investments... something to be handed down along with the guns.
I remember distinctly seeing a big McIntosh amp in an audio store as a kid... I had no idea what they were at the time, and had no idea what money meant (and I didn't know the price anyways, so I wasn't just looking at it because it was expensive) but I stared at it like it was the crown jewels... Only later on did I find out it was a truly fine piece of equipment.
used to have an MC-240 AND AN MX-110--GREAT UNITS however the mx 110 was heavilly modified---had to sell both in 1996--------i have regreted it since..i have a real nicedyna 35 stereo and an lafayette amp both sound great-----tubes 4ever thanx
@@elpaso--west7354 - I bought my MX-110 and MC-240 around 2006. Had the MX-110 recapped and modded up at Audio Classics. Love these units.
Very nice it's a wonder they command such high prices excellent quality. Thanks
hand made in the USA as well, so no surprise here
McIntosh is expensive as heck, but you get a really well made piece of electronics for your money, as you see :)) would be proud to own one of their amps.
Btw... I love your lab. Looks like a mad scientists hideout, who does his thing. Love it
This is a beautiful preamp! My best friend from childhood inherited his fathers McIntosh setup and it's beautiful! Heavily used, but loved and truly awesome to behold! I don't know what model(s) they are but it's the whole setup, amp, preamp, tuner, eq... Etc, a whole system.
Recap. Don't be ridiculous about it staying mint... just DO IT.
Love the old McIntosh gear Paul. Best quality from that time. Thanks for sharing with us.
I have the McIngtosh C22 Preamp in excellent condition.
Every now and then I come across a low time but old electronic device and the electrolytic caps test fine. I'm always surprised.
BTW - I'm a Patreon supporter and I can't recommend it enough. There's a lot of great info there.
On gear that was made with top shelf components.... stuff that runs on lower voltages like 24v solid state amps usually have a pretty long cap life in my experience.
Hi Paul . Am I right in thinking that spraying lots of contact cleaner into a VR can flush the lubricant from the shaft and cause contamination from that , and eventually the shaft might seize also .
Thanks for making these videos Mr. Carlson. Always learn something new I never thought about after all these years of working on electronics! Do more videos on Mcintosh gear, bought my first Mc amp a MC275 a few months ago! :)
McIntosh and Mr Carlson’s Lab....I clicked so fast! Can’t go wrong! Beautiful piece of gear and a superb cleaning/checking of the gear. Love it.
Thank you Paul for sharing your incredible knowledge and experience with us. Unbelievable how much we've learned in the last 18 months in your course. I can't thank your enough for helping me to to get access to this great electronics hobby!
You're very welcome Ralf!
This episode is near and dear to me, I live just across the river in Binghamton, NY where that pre-amp was built.
Awesome!! I personally like the C28 more since it has the center channel output and volume control. I'm a big fan 3 channel stereo, especially if your system is also your tv speakers the center really helps with dialogue making it sound more like its coming from the tv. It really anchors drums and the stage too in music.These older Macs are amazing with vintage Klipsch's too.
I have a pair of MC-60 amps and matching tube-type preamp (stereo), tuner (monaural), and phono cartridge compensator. My grandfather bought them from Picar in Detroit, back in the 1950s. I used to use them, but I haven't fired them up for 30 or 40 years, and now I'm afraid to just plug them in. I need something like your current-limited Variac setup. (I do have a 15 amp Variac, but not the rest of your setup.) I modified a stereo add-on kit to work with the tuner (without modifying the tuner), so I could receive FM stations in stereo.
Dielectric grease to prevent contact oxidation. This is a common practice harsh environments but would it be applicable for the VRs and switches in the C29? Would you explain your answer?
Mr. Carlson, I have found that when it comes to rubber like materials (say, I dunno, buna-n) a very light oil sparingly applied and wiped off of any excess really does help with the longevity of them. It's like feeding leather, almost. Yes, yes before people jump in, some rubbers especially natural rubbers are adversely affected by oil.
Space shuttle?! So cool!
Fantastic video Mr Carlson! Love seeing high end audio gear of the past!
It would be very helpful if you could show us how you clean VR and switch components. Thank you. Fantastic video as usual.
Every time I watch one of your videos on audio gear and you go through detailed description of what is quality and what special procedures, devices or shielding was used to enhance the quality and it keeps adding Procedures and components To my beginner hobbyist amplifier and preamplifier builds. I caught the never ending perfection bug.
Way its supposed to be keep it up
Thanks for an interesting video. We have McIntosh audio equipment and appreciate the quality. You are very accomplished. 👍😎. Cheers from Australia
Thanks for watching!
it's amazing how such a trained technician with so much equipment doesn't have a microphone capable of handling his S's :)
Thank you for the video. I was a little disappointed that you didn't show som clips from the cleaning, what kind of cleaner, ways if applying it correctly, etc. But hopefully you will make a follow up video about that. BR, Per (Denmark)
Amazing program!
One of my favorite of your videos. Nice job Paul.
Hello Mr. Carlson, what products do you typically use to restore the functionality of pots and switches?
It seems you clearly have a lot of audio equipment knowledge as well, any chance we could get an audio setup tour?
Great video. Very nice equipment. When cleaning vr's; sometimes they are pretty well sealed. If you get the opportunity, with another cleaning, show how you address cleaning vr's that are very well sealed. Thanks.
a reference in design example for the Right To Repair!! nice!!
I caught the input VU reading your voice. Did you have a mike hooked in?
Thanks for your time and attention to detail. Very useful information
Hi Paul. Nice video. What do you use when a peice of equipment needs cleaning what do you use to really wash out heavy nasty. Thanks W5DN
When cleaning the VR’s with a appropriate cleaner, does it help to use a dust air spray to help remove any loosen debris or is that really not going to help with the cleanup? I was wondering since I have old electrical tester for cars to set dwell angles and such and these units where bought in the 1970’s and I really can not see if there is any problems with them as I use them on my 1970’s cars collection. Thanks for this video since they are very informative, I really learn a lot that I have forgotten over the years.
i dream to own a mcintosh amplifier. Id love a MC275. fantastic video
one of my most favorite preamps when mac was good
How do you feel about the Cerwin Vega vintage power AMPs made from 1970 to 1980
M1800 A1800 A3000
75 lb monster amplifiers ....
I have 3'- 50 years young.
Still work and pumping out bass to rock the windows and walls....
Hi Mr Carlson thank you for this great informative video as always detail oriented and very helpful. I have a Mcintosh power amp. I’d like to clean the VU meter sensitivity switch in the front. What kind of contact cleaner would you recommend? Thank you.
This is where the motivation to DIY comes from, for many people. A product with this price tag, with about 10 bucks worth of components for the preamp (as far as I can see, power supply excluded). Yes, transformer, switches and case is where the money is spent. Still, a product with this price tag, with a $10 preamp. I think that is funny somehow.
Beautiful video, thank you! Wish you would have showed how you flush the vr‘s...for me it’s always the little and sometimes the most obvious things were I learn the most.
Lovely piece of equipment. Top quality stuff and I'm jealous that it's yours not mine :)😀 thanks for sharing, keep them coming!
I remember reading article about audiophiles and how some of them swear that sound is better if you remove top lead from CD player or some other piece of equipment...
But hey, audiophiles just have that magical ability to break the laws of physics :P
Shhhhhhh! You'll let the truth out and deflate a bunch of egg heads if you talk like that!
Interesting. Toward the end of the video you could see the level meter for your audio reflecting in the shiny panel of the Mac, and every once in a while I saw you hitting the red light. Gain that down a little bit! 🙂
Very cool...I grew up in a McIntosh/Klipsch houuse with Lascalas/Khorns!
John Ricci Lucky you. Can’t go wrong with that stuff.
Great video! Thanks. I would love to see you wash a couple of pots and switches out to see how it's done and which cleaner is used. A WARNING ABOUT CONTACT CLEANER. It will DESTROY some face plates! I ruined the face on a Yaesu 726 once, and another time I washed out the carbon track on the volume control (dual pot) on a model 70 Philco. (I was young) Who knew that they used paper and pencil track for volume pots in 1933. Thanks again!
How sweet it is.....
-Jackie Gleason
Hello Mr Carlson. In this video, right next to your bench, left side, I see the HP 8551/851 A or B spectrum analyzer but it seems it is not working because the power switch is in ON position, with no sign of be actually ON. Do you have in mind the set up, repair or restoration of this "monster" from the 60's? (I call my 8551/851B, "my monster" because weights almost 100 pounds in total). The thing is that after many many hours of work trying to repair/restore my analyzer, still doesn't work the way it should be. I know it could be a tedious project just but wanted to know if you have any plans to do it. Thank you
I have a C29 that is in complete mint state. It is performing without any issue whatsoever. All the lightblue electrolytics are of course 40 years old. Would it be recommended to leave it alone and not perform a caprevisions?
The capacitors are definitely due.
@@MrCarlsonsLab Okay thanks. That's clear intel.
paul...what was the name and number of the MG Chemicals Contact Cleaner with the gold band you use to clean your radio receivers....I think it had a Gold or Red band?
When you clean the pots, do you remove the backs to expose the contacts and clean directly? Or do you just spray in from the sides and hope for the best?
I have a great quality solid state guitar amp that I got new and let sit a couple years. The pots are VERY noisy. But despite spaying contact cleaner in EVERYTHING twice, days apart, they are still noisy. Any suggestions? Thank!
If I was the owner I would like to have all the capacitors replaced. Originality is fine, but perfect sound is even better. Old electrolytic capacitors that were powerless for a long time are little time bombs.
You cant go wrong with McIntosh gear....top shelf all the way
Another great video Paul....keep em coming
73
Jeff de WD8JM
Excellent video of a wonderful preamp. For those of us who are following along, please always include the test details (e.g. where the generator and scope connect to, generator power and frequency, 'scope settings). Any warnings about test setup, etc. A couple of seconds of info, is invaluable to us inexperienced acolytes. How did you clean/lube the binding VR shafts?
I haven't even had a chance to watch this yet, but I know it will be great! Paul + McIntosh = Awesomeness!
My interest in electronics started early. Around age 13 I became really interested in high fidelity audio. At that point I was sure I wanted to pursue electronics professionally when I grew up, and my dream was to work for McIntosh! Oh, what might have been! I never lost my love for audio, but in my mid teens I also discovered computers, right smack in the midst of the microcomputer revolution (late '70s and early '80s). So today, professionally, I'm a computer engineer who mostly writes low-level embedded software that controls computer hardware. But in my free time, I "get my hands dirty" in my home electronics lab. Several of my in-progress projects are hi-fi gear. And now I have far cooler tools and test equipment than I had as a kid! Life is good!
Hmmm.... I still need to get some McIntosh equipment someday... :-)