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Need Macintosh repair help


totalcomfort

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I live in Arkansas and have a friend who just fried his Macintosh pre. He said sparks shot out the right side while listening last night. That is all I know so far. He called Macintosh and the closest factory tech is in Memphis. He is scared to ship and wants someone local to fix it. Anybody have a good suggestion?

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If he is timid about shipping, he could take to a pack and ship place if there is one nearby.

 

Frankly, if I were going to ship it, I'd ask if they would do the work on it in Binghamton, NY. They are a small company. It's not like sending an Onkyo to a component swapping shop.

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I have used Terry with great results.I will also jump in on the DO NOT SHIP WITHOUT factory boxes (sadly I have been on th ereceiving end of that). Last time I ordered glass I called in and placed the order, they waiting until the current new production glass run was done and then called to see if you still wanted to buy. If yes, you pay and they set up and ran your glass; took a month or so.

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I shipped a C32 about 3 months ago in a McIntosh box for repair.  After repair and upon arrival it no worky... So I sent it back and my tech warrantied the work, but he said it was dropped so hard the board sheared some wires.  Glass intact.  I think it goes to show how good the box is, but regardless it's still risky shipping.  Not sure I'd do it again, but was really unhappy with my local shop.

 

If I were to ship an AMP, i'd consider a pallet, but a pre-amp or tuna, give it a go, but insure it for full replacement value from Classic Audio or Tom Manley.

Edited by Cantilope
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  • 2 weeks later...

Terry DeWick is recommended highly by me. If I can't repair it, or lack needed test equipment, I trust Terry above everyone else near me. He treats all McIntosh like it was going into his own system. He stands behind his work, he's reliable, reasonably priced, and a great friend and fellow traveler. I can not give you no higher recommendation. Terry DeWick is the finest.

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Terry DeWick or if you want it close to the factory and less of a turn time, Audio Classics in Binghamton, NY. Both are excellent. What model preamp, Totalcomfort? That might be a factor.

 

Joe

Edited by JJT
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I highly recommend considering North Reading Engineering (John Warren).  Experienced McIntosh specialist.  Honest.  He has rebuilt two of my MC-2100s and provides good communication, and performance data on each unit.  He is thorough and priced reasonably.  The units come back looking brand new, and solid factory level performers with proof provided.  The first triple box I ever saw in audio shipping.  Each repair took about 3-4 weeks.  I imagine a lot of that was parts ordering lead time.  His style is very different than Terry DeWick.  Terry generally replaces only what is broken.  He rebuilt 6 McIntosh units for me over a period of years so I know.    You can get a rebuild package from Terry that includes specific parts (such as "audio path rebuild").  John inspects everything and makes recommendations on what he wants to replace.....and WHY.  It was always much more part replacement than what Terry did.  Complete new power supplies and full output transistor sets among other old parts.  Some was misc. reliability part replacement to ensure long safe life and return to factory performance.  Bear in mind my units were from the 70s, but still very nice units.  I wanted to keep them a long time and so I welcomed this type of service.

 

I have A LOT of McIntosh equipment and always used Terry DeWick.  He is pretty close to me in Tn.  Always had a very good experience and good prices with Terry. Never a complaint.  Utmost respect for Terry.  However, his backlog is HUGE and he works a lot less now.  Plan on 3-4 months to get your unit fixed.  Terry is also in the very senior part of his career and is physically limited.  So while your unit will be repaired properly and for a low cost, just understand these points.

 

Audio Classics is great.......does it right.........but WAY over priced.

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Maybe the reason Audio Classics is more expensive, has to do with their turn time. Wasn't in a rush so I had my C32 restored by Terry, did a great job...took some time though.

 

 

Joe

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Thanks for all the help, friend found a retired Mac guy close and took it to him. Bad news he told him he fried both boards and other stuff, said it was the first one in 20yrs he had seen that bad. He is not going to fix it due to cost. He still has his preamp but it has a 14 pin type plug on the back that was going to the amp, he wants to add another amp but no rca to work with. Anybody make a adapter plug for this style Mac pre that will get him rca outs??

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