alliclaytor Posted April 26, 2007 Share Posted April 26, 2007 Hey all, I just picked up a Mcintosh 2125 locally. It functions well and sounds great...a few replaced pots and it will be nearly perfect. Anybody know anything about this guy? Is it an amp to live with for years? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Robin Posted April 26, 2007 Share Posted April 26, 2007 Congrats on the amp. One of these days I am going to come across one and bring it home. It just has happened yet. How does it sound with the 7's. Later Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicago_Pete Posted April 26, 2007 Share Posted April 26, 2007 Nice amp. Are you sure you have to replace the pots? Try some Deoxit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest " " Posted April 26, 2007 Share Posted April 26, 2007 owners manual MC2105_own.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alliclaytor Posted April 26, 2007 Author Share Posted April 26, 2007 The amp sounds very good with the RF-7's. Probably not going to be the way I pair it up in the future...I'd like to get some heritage lines for that. But for now I am very pleased. The issue with the left volume gain is probably fixable with the deoxit (just a little scratchiness). Also the right meter is not that blue when you turn it on (I don't know how you would fix that) Either way I am very happy with the purchase. I had been running my RF-7's through a home theater in a box receiver, and this is a major step up. Now i just need to find a pre-amp/receiver that will give me the ability to dial in the sound, but to get something on the level of this amp may take me a while...lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boomac Posted April 26, 2007 Share Posted April 26, 2007 I have a 2155 and have enjoyed it for several years. I like the McIntosh sound, especially with rock and jazz. I mentioned this in another thread but a few weeks ago I had my HS tennis team over for dinner and I played "Money for Nothing" for them. The 2155, C29 and Cornwalls still have them talkin'! Besides, you gotta love the blue lit meters! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptnBob Posted April 26, 2007 Share Posted April 26, 2007 It's a very fine amp - and, to me, one of the better looking pieces they've made over the years, too. Don't know about the meter fading. I'd call McIntosh. Their service department is most helpful. It could be something as simple as some lighting gel slipping out of place. I had a friend with a Bose amp who put some blue Roscolux gel inside the meters to make it look more "Mac-esque." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillH2121 Posted April 26, 2007 Share Posted April 26, 2007 I owned a 2125 for approx 30 years - great amp and it sounds good with RF7s (I still own the 7s). The blue for the meters is a plastic filter that can be replaced for little money - take it to a factory-authorized Mac repair and get the big blue eyes back again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheltie dave Posted April 26, 2007 Share Posted April 26, 2007 Alli, I will be taking a McIntosh C26 over to the stereo hospital next weekend to get a checkup, scoped out, and refreshed to original spec. If this would float your boat(and I assume it will,) I'll give you a shout when it is available. Mike is a good Mac tech, so there won't be any problems after he goes through it. I'll try to post photos when I hit St. Louis. I should know the price range at that time as well - estimate it to be in the range of $325-$425, barring a major gouge at the spa. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alliclaytor Posted April 26, 2007 Author Share Posted April 26, 2007 Sounds good, I'd deffinatly be interested in hearing it...and maybe i can scrape up some money by then...lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marems Posted April 26, 2007 Share Posted April 26, 2007 The amp sounds very good with the RF-7's. Probably not going to be the way I pair it up in the future...I'd like to get some heritage lines for that. But for now I am very pleased. The issue with the left volume gain is probably fixable with the deoxit (just a little scratchiness). Also the right meter is not that blue when you turn it on (I don't know how you would fix that) Either way I am very happy with the purchase. I had been running my RF-7's through a home theater in a box receiver, and this is a major step up. Now i just need to find a pre-amp/receiver that will give me the ability to dial in the sound, but to get something on the level of this amp may take me a while...lol Not blue??? does it light up at all? if so then you will need to get a blue filter for that meter....if not then you will need new bulbs. Mac an Klipsch are always a great match! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alliclaytor Posted April 26, 2007 Author Share Posted April 26, 2007 Well the left side is mostly blue, but the right side isn't at all. And it does completely light up...just some cosmetic problems that need to be fixed. I plan on taking it into the tech in a few weeks. Thanks for the enthusiasm! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j-malotky Posted April 26, 2007 Share Posted April 26, 2007 Here is the McIntosh Internet bible web site for everything McIntosh. http://www.roger-russell.com/amplif1.htm McIntosh still makes glass fronts, light bulbs, most everything for their amps yet. If I remember, the meters are sealed, the lights are underneath and the blue is a filter in front of the meter behind the front glass. You have a nice amp. Enjoy JM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alliclaytor Posted April 27, 2007 Author Share Posted April 27, 2007 Any thoughts on which pre-amp to go with the 2125...i looked at the roger russell page and it looks like there are a few that would work with this amp. I'd like to stay within a similar vintage...so that narrows it down to the C-26 through C-29. Any thoughts on the specifics between these four? The C-29 looks the best based on small distortion and lots of inputs...but do the earlier models offer other advantages not showing up in the specs? The C-30 may also be an option (I like the more dynamic eq controls) I'd rather save up and buy something that I will keep for a while than purchase something and want to upgrade later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djk Posted April 27, 2007 Share Posted April 27, 2007 The C27 sounds better than the C29. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boomac Posted April 28, 2007 Share Posted April 28, 2007 That ain't what I believe. In fact, I asked several people in the business which pre to buy and mate with my 2155. The C29 got the nod in every recommendation. I've never listened to them side by side but I have heard a C27 with a 2125. It was good! Just an added note; a couple of knowledgeable Forum guys listened to my C29 with a pair of VRDs and the comments were extremely positive. I suggest you find a clean McIntosh pre of similar vintage and if the price is right......buy it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackpod Posted April 28, 2007 Share Posted April 28, 2007 Do yourself a BIG favor and take it to a certified Mac shop. Mac amps need Mac parts. The 2125 is a sweet amp. The blue filters do fade in time if exposed to direct sunlight for any length of time. Nothing like those big blue eyes. the 2125 was the second generation of Mac SS and the first with power guard (if memory serves correctly) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alliclaytor Posted April 29, 2007 Author Share Posted April 29, 2007 I plan on going to the certified shop, thanks! Anybody else have some thoughts on the preamps? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alliclaytor Posted May 1, 2007 Author Share Posted May 1, 2007 It looks like the order I'd like to get them would be the C29, C27, C28, and C26 if I stay with the proper vintage. If anybody has these up for grabs...I'd be interested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheltie dave Posted May 2, 2007 Share Posted May 2, 2007 Alli, it is always good to do a litlle research on your own as well as listening to forum members. Ranking the C26 last in that set of preamps is laughable - the C28 will end up last in most peoples' lists, and EBay prices drive that point home in convincing fashion. The C27 differs from the C26 ONLY in its loudness control. Otherwise they are identical electrically, and don't look much different. The C29 is a different beast, but reflects a different designer than Roger Russell. Roger is partial to the C26 and then the C27. DJK and I agree in our like of the C26, but there is room on this forum to disagree. I had a lurker in St. Louis contact me already, so my C26 is off the market now. You need to hit Roger Russell's McIntosh site. It is the best site for factual info and will help you distinguish bullcrop, avoid making mistakes, and you'll learn quite a bit. Enjoy the ride! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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