Joe Auwen Posted January 20, 2005 Share Posted January 20, 2005 How hard would it be to clone an MC-30 amp? Is there any reasons why a clone with modern parts wouldn't sound pretty much the same? Has someone tried it before and what were the results? Would the effort/expense be worth it? Joe Auwen PS still looking for tube amps to go with my Juicy Music Peach and '88 Klipschorns.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan Songer Posted January 20, 2005 Share Posted January 20, 2005 Cheaper and easier to buy a pair. Can you imagine trying to clone the McIntosh transformers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunnysal Posted January 20, 2005 Share Posted January 20, 2005 the key are the trannies...bit of a black art that...McIntosh winds its own on specially made jigs and equipment, doubt anyone could really reproduce those exactly. you could build amps like the McIntoshs, using similar circuits but I suspect the sound would end up different, not necessarily bad, but different. warm regards, tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Auwen Posted January 20, 2005 Author Share Posted January 20, 2005 Is there a source for replacement transformers? I would think that over the years, that folks have dropped their 30s and needed to replace a damaged one...!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted January 20, 2005 Share Posted January 20, 2005 The problem as others have suggested would be the Iron. McIntosh used a proprietary winding method to create the mode of operation on the output tubes called unity coupled. No one other then McIntosh has ever wound transformers this way as far as I know and this was all done in house on there custom machinery. What your asking to do is almost impossible without either a MC30 donor amp for the Iron or getting Iron directly from McIntosh which would be crazy expensive. Like mentioned above it would be cheaper to just buy a nice pair and be done with it. Craig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvel Posted January 20, 2005 Share Posted January 20, 2005 McIntosh doesn't have the iron available for the MC30s. I wrote and asked them. Marvel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Good2BHome Posted January 20, 2005 Share Posted January 20, 2005 Let's assume one has donor transformer set(s) that work. Would it then make economic sense to build the rest of the amp with new parts? Strictly for the sound without resale considerations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted January 20, 2005 Share Posted January 20, 2005 Sure every thing else would be standard fair. Just follow the schematic. I personally think its not worth the trouble. A good portion of the appeal of owning McIntosh is that its a McIntosh. They sound very good when working up to snuff but the sound can be equaled and exceeded. Craig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan Songer Posted January 20, 2005 Share Posted January 20, 2005 I agree with you, Craig. When you could pick up pairs of MC-30s for $500 (up until about 4 years ago!) they were THE best deal in audio. But now with prices nearing $2000 per pair, there are plenty of other options to consider. But even at $1500 they more than hold their own with other amps in that price range. ESPECIALLY if you love that McIntosh sound! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Auwen Posted January 20, 2005 Author Share Posted January 20, 2005 Craig, it was nice chatting with you today while you were in the checkout line... I have my eye on an ugly-duckling pair of mac MC-30s. If I can get my hands on them, I plan to rebuild them with new bases and some new components top & bottom. This would just be a fun project as I have a pair on almost mint MC-40s coming next week that will be my "I'm a McIntosh owner" pair....:-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted January 21, 2005 Share Posted January 21, 2005 ---------------- On 1/20/2005 12:51:27 PM Allan Songer wrote: I agree with you, Craig. When you could pick up pairs of MC-30s for $500 (up until about 4 years ago!) they were THE best deal in audio. But now with prices nearing $2000 per pair, there are plenty of other options to consider. But even at $1500 they more than hold their own with other amps in that price range. ESPECIALLY if you love that McIntosh sound! ---------------- In most case I would say they floor amps in the $1500 range new ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3dzapper Posted January 22, 2005 Share Posted January 22, 2005 Here.here is a pair new today on Audiogon. Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben. Posted January 22, 2005 Share Posted January 22, 2005 Other than the little rubber bumpers on the trannies, these look really clean, at least externally. Seems like a good deal, though the broken English always makes me wary for some reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Auwen Posted January 22, 2005 Author Share Posted January 22, 2005 The broken english sounds very similar in this ebay auction currently going on: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=5744844160&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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