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McIntosh MC225 RCA Input Jacks Problem

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Posted on July 17, 2017 at 10:38:08
Pyfite
Audiophile

Posts: 230
Joined: May 16, 2000
 Hey there fellow inmates

My heavier RCA interconnects (Audio Sensibility) are causing problems with the RCA input jacks on my MC225 amp. Specifically, they tend to cut the sound in and out. Jiggle the cables a bit and all is good, repeat and rinse.

I should clarify, the cables are fine, I'm guessing it's the stress on the input jacks themselves. Happens fairly regularly with them on my C22. Unfortunately my repair guy is retired now.

Is this an easy soldering fix, any tips if even easier than that?

If not, anybody have a tip on where to get this fixed in the Maine area?

Thanks in advance!

 

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RE: McIntosh MC225 RCA Input Jacks Problem, posted on July 17, 2017 at 10:41:05
6bq5
Audiophile

Posts: 4385
Location: SF Bay
Joined: August 16, 2001
 Yes and no-
Yes, if it is just re-soldering the jacks-
no - if you want to replace the jacks- the holes in the chassis may need to be enlarged to accomodate new jacks-
Happy Listening

 

RE: McIntosh MC225 RCA Input Jacks Problem, posted on July 17, 2017 at 11:52:38
Eli Duttman
Audiophile

Posts: 10455
Location: Monroe Township, NJ
Joined: March 31, 2000
 Older equipment frequently has the RCA females spaced too closely, for use with modern, "fat", cabling. Constructing your own cables, with appropriate plugs (1 end might be "fat") solves the problem.

Replacing the RCA females might be necessary, given the strain the "fancy/shmancy" cabling has placed on them. "Inmate" Mike Samra is expert on "Mac" amp maintenance. I'll see if I can get him to post in this thread.

In the mean time, please upload a photo of the jacks on the amp, with a Quarter in the view.


Eli D.

 

RE: McIntosh MC225 RCA Input Jacks Problem, posted on July 17, 2017 at 12:21:00
Pyfite
Audiophile

Posts: 230
Joined: May 16, 2000
 I'll take some pics tonight. Thanks Eli!

 

RE: McIntosh MC225 RCA Input Jacks Problem, posted on July 17, 2017 at 12:45:59
spindoctor
Audiophile

Posts: 1661
Location: Virginia
Joined: December 31, 2002
 I use AudioClassics in Vestal NY for repairs on my older Mac gear MX 110 and MC 2250 and have been quite pleased. I'd suggest talking with Ryan in Service about your options.
http://www.audioclassics.com


Sim

 

RE: McIntosh MC225 RCA Input Jacks Problem, posted on July 18, 2017 at 04:39:37
mark.korda@myfairpoint.net
Audiophile

Posts: 1253
Location: Maine
Joined: August 16, 2011
 Hi Pyfite,
I'm not a McIntosh expert but I have a lot of vacuum tube equipment and am a pretty good solderer. The jacks problem is an easy fix for me, installing new ones or fixing the present problem.
I live in Old Orchard Beach and would be glad to fix that for you if you can get it to me. Thats something I could fix while you chase down a couple slices of pizza. I have lots of nice gold plated jacks around I have for other projects I'm slow to get to.
No charge, the pizza will do. Here is a picture of a passive preamp with jacks I drilled holes for and soldered....Mark Korda (kordamark@gmail.com)

 

RE: McIntosh MC225 RCA Input Jacks Problem, posted on July 18, 2017 at 04:49:05
mark.korda@myfairpoint.net
Audiophile

Posts: 1253
Location: Maine
Joined: August 16, 2011



Here is the preamp...Mark

 

RE: McIntosh MC225 RCA Input Jacks Problem, posted on July 19, 2017 at 12:01:48
Nagratech
Audiophile

Posts: 57
Location: Nashville
Joined: December 15, 2004
 Vintage McIntosh gear used riveted RCA jacks that eventually work loose from stress and no longer conduct ground reliably. In fact the outer "sleeve" will sometimes be so loose you can rotate it. Once this occurs, nothing will make the connection reliably secure.
My fix is to solder solid copper buss wires to each RCA outer sleeve in a series row visible from the rear panel to a star ground point within the amp.
(Individual strands of CAT5 wire work perfectly for this purpose).

 

RE: McIntosh MC225 RCA Input Jacks Problem, posted on July 20, 2017 at 04:53:11
mark.korda@myfairpoint.net
Audiophile

Posts: 1253
Location: Maine
Joined: August 16, 2011
 http://www.ebay.com/itm/DYNACO-Test-Jack-Boards-ST70-MKIII-MKIV-Bias-set-/222587219737?hash=item33d33b6f19
Hi Pyfite, good tip from Nagratech. I didn't know about the rivets. I do have an 1974 Ace preamp and the jacks were riveted and so close together any better modern cables of the day would not fit. I bought this little kit for a Dyna amp and it's all precut and easy to install if you have the cut out space. I would never want to scratch or mar a nice McIntosh chassis. Offer still stands....we could call up Nagratech on the phone during the operation....Mark.....there was a scene simular to this in the movie Ensign Pulver......the McIntosh being Burl Ives.

 

RE: McIntosh MC225 RCA Input Jacks Problem, posted on July 20, 2017 at 13:03:00
airtime
Audiophile

Posts: 11287
Location: Arizona
Joined: February 4, 2003
 Mark, just past the address in the box below marked Optional Link URL

 

RE: McIntosh MC225 RCA Input Jacks Problem, posted on July 21, 2017 at 05:56:45
mark.korda@myfairpoint.net
Audiophile

Posts: 1253
Location: Maine
Joined: August 16, 2011
 Hi,
Charles, thanks for the help. I did try left click, right click on every optional link, upload image and browse. After getting the Asylum instructions again and again I had to weigh the situation and when it was all for (Jack)'s I just pressed the paste button.
Pyfite, I looked up on Google and there is a 3 minute lesson on rivet removal if you should go that way. If I had a McIntosh 225 and it had older jacks from the past I would think it would be a must sonic wise to install new jacks. There were no nice real gold plated ones when that amp came out. I have the same problem with a Dyna PAS so I bought a new gold jack set. I'll install if you do! Nagratech and Airtime might know if rejacking might effect the value of your amp...but
One thing I wouldn't do is send that beautiful amp thru the mail for something that easy....Mark K....don't forget Mike (Mac) Samra's idea's.

 

RE: " I just pressed the paste button", posted on July 21, 2017 at 06:29:43
1973shovel
Audiophile

Posts: 10117
Location: Greenville SC
Joined: February 25, 2007



You did the right thing, but with your cursor in the wrong spot when you clicked "paste".

I'm not getting any younger, Mark. You need to nail this before I die! [annoying smiley thing goes here]

 

RE: " I just pressed the paste button", posted on July 21, 2017 at 14:03:01
mark.korda@myfairpoint.net
Audiophile

Posts: 1253
Location: Maine
Joined: August 16, 2011
 Hi Shovel,
I'm going to try it with your directions to alert Airtime about a nice 90 dollar Sherwood tuner I saw. If it does not work I will bring Airtime out of retirement and hire him as my forum secretary...Mark K.

 

RE: " I just pressed the paste button", posted on July 21, 2017 at 14:06:03
mark.korda@myfairpoint.net
Audiophile

Posts: 1253
Location: Maine
Joined: August 16, 2011
 Shovel, did it work? Airtime, you should jump on that tuner!. Mark K.

 

Yes, you posted an active link, posted on July 25, 2017 at 15:24:44
1973shovel
Audiophile

Posts: 10117
Location: Greenville SC
Joined: February 25, 2007
 Thanks for the effort. It makes everybody happy!

And an FYI, if you click "Preview Message" at the bottom of your post (the button to the right of "Post Message"), you'll know if a link or picture "works" before you actually post it. Once you see the link or picture, then you click "Post Message"

 

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