Recapping a McIntosh Amp

50.77.18.50

Posted on May 13, 2015 at 08:31:31

mike555
Audiophile

Posts: 261
Joined: November 7, 2007

Hi. I have a McIntosh MC-2105 power amplifier in my system, recapped by Terry DeWick, that I adore. I got it about 5 years ago, and I have tried many other quality amps in my system but always come back to the McIntosh. I have been eager to try out the later and supposedly greater cousin of the MC-2105, the MC-2255, to see if I get a substantial improvement.

My big hesitation in regard to this is that I do not want to go through the process and expense of sending a MC-2255 to Terry DeWick. Shipping these big McIntosh things is expensive, arduous, and risky, and Terry has a huge backlog nowadays. Yet I think it is necessary, in order to get good performance, for the capacitors to be swapped out on this amp.

My question is this. I live in Philadelphia. I work full time, but my work schedule is very flexible, meaning that I could drive anywhere within a day's drive to hand-deliver the amplifier to a service technician. That means Terry is out, because I'm a while away from Tennessee where he is located. I think Terry's work is awesome, but I was wondering if another service tech in my area might be as good and as reliable as Terry? Does anyone have any recommendations or opinions on this? Also, for anyone with access to this information, could you possibly tell me the Blue Book price currently on a MC-2255 amp, in excellent condition?

Thanks,
Mike Todd

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Awe-d-o-file

09:32:05 05/14/15

5

RE: First

mike555

10:41:06 05/15/15

4

RE: First

Awe-d-o-file

06:54:33 05/16/15

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First

Awe-d-o-file

09:32:05 05/14/15

5

RE: First

mike555

10:41:06 05/15/15

4

RE: First

Awe-d-o-file

06:54:33 05/16/15

3

RE: First

airtime

14:55:05 05/16/15

2

RE: First

Awe-d-o-file

18:21:41 05/18/15

RE: First

airtime

06:30:46 05/19/15

Do you possess basic mechanical skills?

E-Stat

06:33:25 05/14/15

5

RE: Do you possess basic mechanical skills?

Crazy Dave

08:21:24 05/14/15

4

RE: Do you possess basic mechanical skills?

E-Stat

10:41:09 05/14/15

3

RE: Do you possess basic mechanical skills?

Crazy Dave

16:15:41 05/14/15

2

It goes back to Bold Eagle's notion of "non-bright"

E-Stat

16:27:13 05/14/15

RE: It goes back to Bold Eagle's notion of "non-bright"

Crazy Dave

10:00:05 05/15/15

RE: Recapping a McIntosh Amp

airtime

16:05:33 05/13/15

RE: Recapping a McIntosh Amp

spindoctor

09:47:20 05/13/15

RE: Recapping a McIntosh Amp

Bill Way

09:24:28 05/13/15

RE: Recapping a McIntosh Amp, posted on May 13, 2015 at 09:24:28
Bill Way Audiophile Posts: 1884 Location: Toms River NJ Joined: May 28, 2012 Contributor Since: December 14, 2012	Ben Jacoby at High End Audio Repair in Brooklyn does beautiful work. WW "Put on your high heeled sneakers. Baby, we''re goin'' out tonight.

RE: Recapping a McIntosh Amp, posted on May 13, 2015 at 09:47:20
spindoctor Audiophile Posts: 1663 Location: Virginia Joined: December 31, 2002	I can highly recommend Audioclassics in Vestal, NY. Not sure how far that is for you. I've always shipped them my Macs from Virginia. They have upgraded my MX 110 tuner/preamp with excellent results and repaired my MC2250 power amplifier and I have been very pleased with the work. Contact Ryan Kilpatrick in service by email or phone. I've always found him helpful. Sim

RE: Recapping a McIntosh Amp, posted on May 13, 2015 at 16:05:33

airtime
Audiophile

Posts: 11287
Location: Arizona
Joined: February 4, 2003

Just a general opinion. Do several researches on Mac forums, amp forums, etc... See if there IS any significant differences that warrant putting in that much effort.

Also AudioClassics (sp?) is a top notch outfit. I bought a number of Mac pieces from them. Always a pleasant experience.

But restored you really are doing things RIGHT. Go get-um!

Do you possess basic mechanical skills?, posted on May 14, 2015 at 06:33:25

E-Stat
Audiophile

Posts: 37673
Joined: May 12, 2000
Contributor
Since: April 5, 2002

I replaced the power supply caps in a Threshold amp a while back. You can buy quality Mallory computer grade caps from Mouser. Here's their catalog. I also found an exact brand MEPCO in higher voltage here.

They most likely use screw terminals and don't require soldering. Just solid mounting and attention to polarity. It appears the factory value is 38,000 uF at 60V. You want to get a close value and might end up with something slightly larger as I did depending upon the physical dimensions.

I also ended up adding some small film bypass caps to filter RFI as is commonly done today.

RE: Do you possess basic mechanical skills?, posted on May 14, 2015 at 08:21:24
Crazy Dave Audiophile Posts: 14371 Location: East Coast Joined: October 4, 2001	Love the looks on that Threshold gear! It is a refreshing change for basic black. I see you added some film bypass capacitors. Do you think that made a difference? Dave

First, posted on May 14, 2015 at 09:32:05
Awe-d-o-file Dealer Posts: 21037 Location: 50 miles west of DC Joined: January 10, 2004	You said you tried other quality amps. What were they? What speakers do you drive with it? It sounds like you've already decided on another Mac which is fine but inquiring minds want to know this other data. E T ET "If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking till you do suck seed" - Curly Howard 1936

RE: Do you possess basic mechanical skills?, posted on May 14, 2015 at 10:41:09

E-Stat
Audiophile

Posts: 37673
Joined: May 12, 2000
Contributor
Since: April 5, 2002

Do you think that made a difference?

Honestly, I didn't do a critical before/after comparison. I know that Pass Labs/First Watt among others incorporates bypasses on all new product. I discovered that even my mid-90s Audio Research SP9 MKIII preamp uses both some Wima and Wondercap film bypasses as well.

Additionally, the linear power supplies I purchased for use with my Squeezebox Touch players also bypass the main caps. Replacing the wall warts with the linears reduced high frequency hash and improved clarity noticeably.

RE: Do you possess basic mechanical skills?, posted on May 14, 2015 at 16:15:41
Crazy Dave Audiophile Posts: 14371 Location: East Coast Joined: October 4, 2001	It was standard operating procedure when I rebuilt my Dyanco Mark IV amps. I am planning to recap my Threshold soon, so I will give it a try. Dave

It goes back to Bold Eagle's notion of "non-bright", posted on May 14, 2015 at 16:27:13
E-Stat Audiophile Posts: 37673 Joined: May 12, 2000 Contributor Since: April 5, 2002	I am firmly in his camp with respect to preferring gear that is free from artificial brightness due to noise and untrapped RFI/EMI. I use DIY double shielded Belden 83803 power cords with the Stasis and run all the other components through a power conditioner.

RE: It goes back to Bold Eagle's notion of "non-bright", posted on May 15, 2015 at 10:00:05
Crazy Dave Audiophile Posts: 14371 Location: East Coast Joined: October 4, 2001	We are both in agreement with Bold Eagle. Right now I am using a thick Pangea power cored, which cost less that I could sell it for scrap at it's introductory price a few years back, but DIY cords are coming soon, Dave

RE: First, posted on May 15, 2015 at 10:41:06
mike555 Audiophile Posts: 261 Joined: November 7, 2007	Other amps were a McCormack DNA-125, a Conrad Johnson tube amp from the 1990s, and a Primaluna tube amp. Hope this helps.

RE: First, posted on May 16, 2015 at 06:54:33

Awe-d-o-file
Dealer

Posts: 21037
Location: 50 miles west of DC
Joined: January 10, 2004

Wow that was a nice variety.I'm glad you found a clear winner (pun intended) that you want to stay with. There were some other good replies. I do not know a dealer up your way. I would Internet search then perhaps come back and post about names you found and see if anyone here has tried them. Good luck.

E
T
ET

"If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking till you do suck seed" - Curly Howard 1936

RE: First, posted on May 16, 2015 at 14:55:05
airtime Audiophile Posts: 11287 Location: Arizona Joined: February 4, 2003	what do yo mean by "clear winner"? I wonder if it's what I'm thinking of? charles

RE: First, posted on May 18, 2015 at 18:21:41
Awe-d-o-file Dealer Posts: 21037 Location: 50 miles west of DC Joined: January 10, 2004	Well he tried some nice amps and one he found better which I classified as clearer to his ear thus the pun "clear" winner. Just me being silly and congratulating him for trying some good amps. E T ET "If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking till you do suck seed" - Curly Howard 1936

RE: First, posted on May 19, 2015 at 06:30:46
airtime Audiophile Posts: 11287 Location: Arizona Joined: February 4, 2003	Of all the descriptions of McIntosh "Cleaner" was never one of them? charles

Vintage Asylum

Recapping a McIntosh Amp

50.77.18.50