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Building a System around old McIntosh Components

A friend of mine has a McIntosh 2100 solid-state amplifier (100 wpc, very heavy) and an MR-65 tuner. He's wanting help building a system around it. The room configuration is pretty much set. The speakers face the couch and back up against a large plate glass window (nice view). I would say the speakers shouldn't be rear ported, nor should they be too high to block the view (e.g. around 30"). He can move them forward for more serious listening... then the situation becomes more near field.

So I'm thinking a tube preamp (<1000 used) like a Quicksilver, Eastern Electric, or??? For speakers, any suggestion on what would mate well with this amplifier? I really like Totem and Spendor, and they could be either monitors or floor standing (<1500 used). CDP will be bought new (Music Hall or Rega Apollo?).

Also - those who know this McIntosh gear... do you think the amp should be serviced to replace caps or do you think it should still be fine. I imagine the tuner definitely needs to be serviced. Who does McIntosh repair well?

Thanks for ideas. Peter
peter_s

Showing 2 responses by aball

aball
2,016 posts
 
That amp will need a rebuild. I just did my 240 and am about to do another 240 and an MX110. There is no point in investing much without replacing at least the caps and rectifiers in that 2100. If you are handy with a soldering iron, it is a very simple task.

However, the tuner job won't be easy like the amp. That one should be sent off and AudioClassics would be my recommendation.

Afterwards, I would suggest getting a Mc C712 preamp or a C15. The speakers will have to be fairly upfront - a laid back sound will definately not suit the 2100. Nor will a speaker that isn't highly detailed. I would suggest something from Triangle or JM Lab for best synergy with vintage Mc gear. Any new cdp will round out the system nicely (my vote goes to the Apollo if top-loading is compatible with his rack). Arthur
aball
2,016 posts
 
The rebuild requirements are the same except that you won't be changing the tubes. The electrolytic caps lose their capacitance under dynamic loads (i.e. music) and the failure of the main power supply "can" caps will wipe out the power transformer. Also the archaic selenium stack rectifiers need to be replaced and I would recommend the latest technology HEXFREDs for that. The inrush current limiting thermistor also should be changed since it undergoes extreme thermal cycling and will basically shatter if you touch it from all the tempering it has received in the last 45 years.

All these parts are used on both tube and SS Mc amps. A properly rebuilt MR65 will go for much more than $200, no doubt. If you disagree, let me know and I will buy yours. :) However, repair costs for the amp and tuner will be very high if you can't do the work yourself. Finding someone local that you can trust to do it will be tough. There aren't many people around that have the patience and care to do such tedious work. The only place on the west coast that I can recommend would be Vacuum Tube Valley in Lakeport CA. Their website is http://www.vacuumtube.com. I get my parts there - they are top quality and the can caps are about as close to a direct replacement as you can find these days, but they aren't cheap of course.

Arthur
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