|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
76.216.2.59
Acquired a nice, cleaned up and restored MAC 1700 yesterday and have really been enjoying it. Plays incredibly well with my AR 3's and 3a's, belying it's rated 40 watt output spec(although I've read that it's been tested above 60), and of course my KLH Model Six's, which it seems really made for. Anyway, thought a picture would be a nice way to start the weekend, of which I hope all have a great one.
Follow Ups:
No affiliation, just saw Mac 1700 show up on CL in Phoenix:
https://phoenix.craigslist.org/cph/ele/5957792393.html
Nice description :(
If in good shape not a bad price. Worth checking out, imo.
just one teeny tiny blue meter? :)
Look closely, to the right of the dial. Works for me.
Needs more blue. :)
I got curious about the 1700, so I looked up the schematic and specifications. Typical Mac, as it's pretty conservatively rated.
Given it's age, and the output transformers on the Mac power amps at that time, I was surprised to see a very straight-forward direct coupled output; but without the usual series inductor.
Damping Factor is listed at 100, for a 0.08 ohm source impedance, fairly low, and with low impedance cables won't interact audibly with 4 ohm speakers like the AR3 and 3a. Also, with no series inductor, the source impedance will stay low over the entire bandwidth, not rising as do many SS amps. I wonder if that's not part of the sound?
Some amps do not like the AR3/3a because of their 3.2 ohm minimum impedance. The comparison between a Sherwood S8900a and a Marantz 2270 was a real eye opener, and the Sherwood won that contest hands down. I expect the 1700 would be more like the Sherwood.
Jerry
Jerry thanks for the excellent information! Your comparison to the 8900a is spot on! In fact I tried the 8900a a few weeks back with the 3's and it too was a wonderful match. I kept reading about how the electronics that AR made back in the day had no issues driving the AR3/3a, that they were made to drive them, with only only 60 watts, and I decided to try the 8900a. Now mine is completely stock with no updates, so I was ready for disappointment but was quite surprised when it sounded terrific with them. And now the 1700 is doing the same.
I'm going to guess that more then a few folks had the same receivers driving their AR's back in the day.
Thank again for your comments.
You're welcome!
I found an owner's manual on line, at Hi-Fi Engine and they give the source impedance at 0.04 which is quite low, so the DF is considerably higher than 100.
I'd have to think the 1700 would compare pretty favorably with most 60 w/ch receivers. Interesting that you actually had an 8900a to compare. I always lusted after one of those; but never had one.
By the way don't use tuner or contact cleaner on the volume controls of either the 1700 or the 8900a. They have the power switch on the back of the volume control, and the little plastic part that connects the switch to the back of the pot shaft becomes brittle if exposed to the chemicals. I found out the hard way with a Sherwood S7200. Replacement parts are unobtainable.
Jerry
Thank for the tip. I actually use a power strip to turn both receivers on/off so as not to wear out the volume control.
I tried almost to give the 8900a away awhile back attempting to sell it locally and there was no interest. Very few folks realize what excellent stuff Sherwood made when they were still doing it in Chicago. Now I'm glad I didn't.
I have a 1700 as well, restored by a local tech (PS capacitor and cleaning of the switches.) See one of my oldest posts (I don't post very often)on the tuner forum describing the type of work he does. At my request, he altered the circuitry allowing the tube tuner section to be used as a separate tuner. The AUX input was changed to an output that can be fed into a pre-amp. I also have a Mac MR 71 tuner in a separate system. The 1700's sound as a stand-alone is surprisingly close to the MR 71's, lacking just a bit of the clarity and sound-staging of the 71. DX-ing of the 71 is also a bit better, but I have considered letting the 71 go and using the 1700 as my main tuner. Bought it off ebay for less than $600 and it included a near mint wooden cabinet. Total investment about $750. It really blows away a Marantz 2220B I was using in my bedroom system.
LowIQ
The tuner section is wonderful. Have been enjoying it a lot as we have such great FM here in the San Francisco area.
I've used a lot of very good receivers over the years, but the 1700 may be the most enjoyable one yet.
I've always liked the sound of a McIntosh receiver. Right now my system is somewhat newer but I always preferred musical over accurate and detailed. How does it compare to the 4100? I'm in a small apartment so 40 watts with my speakers should be okay. The speakers are rated at 7 ohms and go down to 6, no nasty phase inversions and they work with tubes.
I find it much more musical then the 4100. Not to say the 4100 isn't musical, but the music just seems to flow out of this like honey. It's an all day affair without any fatigue.
Believe me when I tell you that this receiver will be plenty loud for you in pretty much any apartment, and with those speakers. If I can get my AR 3's loud by turning the gain to 9-10 o'clock, that should tell you a lot.
Hell yea dude. I bet that it sounds killer. Congratulations.
It does!
Thanks.
I wanted to buy it from Vintage Audio Repair (Netherlands), but it was sold...
Enjoy that beautiful receiver.
Being an upstate NY boy always had a place in my heart for Mac gear. Could never afford it but always enjoyed that blue glow. When I finally could spend coin it was too late as I fell hard, deep, and fast for cj tube gear.
I powered my logan requests with a premier 11a on top and a hafler 500 on bottom in a heaven-hell setup. The guy that purchased the requests uses a big Mac solid state amp and it sounds great. I think it surpasses my original setup.
More info than you need but did want to state that it sure looks great and glad your enjoying it.
Thank you!
Hopefully I'll get to try out some C-J tube gear in the future. Always more to listen to!
Oh, you have the perfect combo: the Mac 1700 and KLH Sixes. Thanks for sharing and enjoy!
I like the Six's with the 1700. I like the AR 3's even more. Go figure.
Nice
I have that same one and it's 100% stock and it can power a pair of AR3s like it's nothing.I will recap it one of these days.
Anyway,you will notice that the only tube part of the 1700 is the tuner.The reason for that is,the designer for the tuner part of the unit was killed in a plane crash so they had to use the tuning section out of the 1500 until they hired a new modern SS tuner designer.
"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong" H. L. Mencken
Thanks Michael.
In doing some research on it before getting it, I ran across that story. That is something.
Glad to hear that you have had the same experience regarding the 1700's ability to drive the 3's. I haven't a clue as to why it sounds so good, and so powerful for such a small receiver, but it sure has surprised me in the best way. In fact, playing it with a a pair of KLH Model Six's today, friendlier and more efficient, I found I liked it better with the 3's. Just seemed tonally more right. Same can be said with it and my 3a's.
Pretty!
Thanks!
Thanks for the great pic. I love vintage Mac equipment. I have owned a few pieces in my time...
Glad you enjoyed it. It's fun stuff.
It's odd but true. Of all the McIntosh gear I ever had I always liked that one the most. Don't know why but I did.
Enjoy it's a gem!!!!
NOW I'm jealous of that setup!!!
I can understand why. Extremely musical piece. I'm simply amazed at how lovely it sounds and how it matches up to my AR 3's. Of all the amps I've used with them, this little guy is not only the sweetest sounding. but seems to do a better job at bringing out the deep bass that they are known for then any other. I wouldn't believe it if I wasn't hearing it.
Post a Followup:
FAQ |
Post a Message! |
Forgot Password? |
|
||||||||||||||
|
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors: