Inherited 21 piece of vintage McIntosh and need help building a system


Hello.  I was fortunate enough to inherit a huge collection of mac stuff from my uncle, but although an audiophile, I'm out of my element with vintage stuff.  Here is a list of what I have to work with:

C28 preamp

two C20, stereo tube preamp

two C8's mono tube preamp

MC2002, Solid state amp

MC2200, Solid state amp

MR67, FM Stereo Tube Tuner

MR 71, FM Stereo Tube Tuner

MR74, tuner

MX 112, tuner preamp

1700 tuner

1900 tuner

MA5100, integrated amp

two MC 60's, tube amp

MC 240, 40WPC amp

MC 250, 50WPC amp

Sansui 500A

Dynaco SCA-35

HK A220

 

Linn axis turn table

Technics SL-1950 turntable

Mac XL10 speakers

Utah A70-A speakers


Any suggestions on what the best pairing would be out of these?  I can't use all of it so some will be posted once I get a system built.

Thanks for the help,

Brent



128x128brenthardy
I kind of agree with Elrod. You have to REALLY like this gear to keep it. Requires care and feeding due to age.

That's why I was suggesting to stick with the integrated, and a tuner or streamer, and sell everything else, where it will go to some one who really DOES want it.

Also, your own tastes may get really excited by something more modern, or more home theater friendly.
If I were going to make a single system out of that gear I probably would keep the integrated and get a horn loaded system, either vintage JBL or Klipsch or Altec Lansing. :)

That would make a really great sounding combination, and discussion pieces as well.


THANK YOU ALL!  Guys this is really some great advice here.  I know I need to dig in before I make any hasty decisions, but having a starting place is very helpful.  I'm sure as I dig in I'll be posting more and I'll check in with some of the other groups as well.  more soon....



You should definitely check out Audiokarma.org. The McIntosh forum is great with lots of helpful folks. Great resource for me 10 years ago when I  got back into audio and got both a MA5100 and mc250 as well as other pieces. Terry DeWick is like Audiokarma.com Classics a dean of Mac gear with a decent waiting list but great service, fair pricing and no bs advice. He is online too. He made my 5100 and 250 sing with needed upgrades and nothing extra. Have used them faithfully for 7or 8 years since. You have some great gear there.It probably all needs refurbishing but you will then have pieces you can pass on later. Tube Mac gear is highly coveted too so you should be able to refurbish and sell and make out there too.