Need some Tube Amp & Pre Amp recomendations

[SUPERBEE]

Here is my delima...

I have a WONDERFULL set of Mac 75s that were properly refurbished to factory specs in the late 80s and a very nice MX110 that was all orginal and in great shape as my main system since 1990. Over the years they have needed minor work and re-tubing but now my authorized Mcintosh service place says they can no longer guarentee their work due to the age and scarcity of parts. And certain things like the automatic gain knobs on the 75s no longer work in the "Auto" setting. I have to manually adjust them and my service people say they cant fix that. Also my pre-amp will cut out certain channels at certain times. It seems to be a contectivity problem even though I just spent over $500 on cables. I use this system frequently and I NEED it to work all the time without problem.

SO..........

I am thinking of 3 options and I am looking for suggestions.
1) Sell all the vintage gear and get into new tube gear in which case I am looking for recomendations on makes and models

2) Find a another Pre Amp like a C22, C20 or even some brand new one and see if it is just the 110 that is going south

3) Go to a different service place even though they wont be MAC certified


ANY help or suggestions you all could offer would be terrific.

[10 Watt Street]

There are 2 places for McIntosh service that are easy to recommend.

Audio Classics in New York-Richard Modafferi, the designer of the MR-78 tuner, is part of this company.
http://www.audioclassics.com/

Terry DeWick is well known for his McIntosh service, located in Tennessee.
http://www.mcintoshaudio.com/dewick_repairs.htm

I would fix what you have.

[Mr. Widget]

I have mixed feelings about those vintage Macs... I too have had a few MX110s and when they are in top shape they are a lot of fun. I really enjoyed them though I never felt they were the ultimate in audiophile terms. The problem is that every year or so something else would go... I felt like I was always trouble shooting. I prefer to turn on the music and listen.

For a second system or as part of a vintage collection, I would consider the vintage Mac stuff again. For my primary system I think I'd get something younger than my wife.



Widget

[speakerdave]

I have mixed feelings about those vintage Macs...

Yeah, me too. The power amps were pretty crystalline, the preamps ok, but the tube tuners (mine was an MR65) were a PITA, though a very nice sound.

David

[Audiobeer]

I agrre with 10 watt. Audi Classic are great! I like your ideal of the C22.....costly these days. The suggestion of Audio Research was my favorite!

[SUPERBEE]

Thanx All...


I would like to keep this stuff up and running as I do LOVE the sound and look. It is currently powering 2 JBL Olympus (from 1958 I believe) Now I do have a JBL Paragon as a second system and I am just running a Marrantz to power that so MAYBE what I could do is move the old Mac tube stuff to the Paragon and get some new tube gear to run my main system

[speakerdave]

1) Sell all the vintage gear and get into new tube gear in which case I am looking for recomendations on makes and models

This might be a good option if you are not attached to having the collectible amps, but be sure to find some new equipment whose sound you like before you sell off the McIntosh. You have not said what speakers you use, so we don't know how much power you need. If you need a power amp as powerful as the Mac I would suggest you explore Audio Research and Conrad-Johnson first.

2) Find a another Pre Amp like a C22, C20 or even some brand new one and see if it is just the 110 that is going south

If I understand your description of the drop out problem, it could be the source selector or volume control in the preamp that is the problem.

3) Go to a different service place even though they wont be MAC certified

This might actually be what you need to do. The Mac Certification probably entails certain procedures, like using factory parts. Maybe you should locate a shop that specializes in restoring classic equipment. Nearby would be best, of course, but there are some with on-line visibility (Vacuum Tube Valley and Audio Classics, for example) that would involve shipping your amps someplace. I don't have experience with either of those I've mentioned, but they've both been around for a while.

David