Audio Question-McIntosh

Dmechler · 10-21-2006

I have an old (25 yr. old) McIntosh 4100 receiver (Vacuum tube). Lately when you turn up the volume it cracks/crackles a lot. Does anybody know what causes this?

If it was up to me it would be "WFO" all the time

and I would'nt have to worry about the volume!

**james** · 10-21-2006

That's a sweet piece of gear. It's likely the varistor volume control (maybe it's got a different name than that too, it's a potentiometer of some sort) that is noisy. It will likely need replacing unless it can be cleaned with contact cleaner spray. Luckily, you can get McIntosh parts easily.

try the contact link on this page.

Dmechler · 10-21-2006

Thank's for the info James! Yeah this thing has 25 years of dust collecting in it. I would take it to where I bought it but they are no longer there. I guess I'll have to find a place that works on Macs.
This thing sounds great as long as you don't mess with the volume control!
(What you said is all greek to me

)

stevo137 · 10-22-2006

As James said, that is a great piece of equipment. The potentiometer should be fairly easy to replace.
MAC-4100? The shop that I deal with is a McIntosh dealer and I can ask them about it.

Riviera Maya Ar · 10-22-2006

I owned a store and we sold Mac. Check with a large dealer in you area see if the are having a McIntosh clinic soon. I think they still do clinics and will bring any Mac Amp up to specs at no charge no matter how old. We once had them completely rebuild a 35 year old amp in our store for free it was great advertising made 4 other people decide to buy expensive Mac equipment that day over less expensive brands. Good luck
Penny & Jim
Gallery in Playa coming soon
www.turtlebeachart.com

stevo137 · 10-22-2006

In case you don't have the 4100 manual, I found a site that has free manuals and other McIntosh info. for you. Just click on the receiver tab and then 4100.
http://www.berners.ch/McIntosh/en/Frame_McIntosh.htm

Also, here is an authorized McIntosh shop in St. Louis.
Antech Labs, Inc.
9 Sunnen Dr, Suite 300
St. Louis, MO 63143
Phone: 314-647-0009
Fax: 314-647-1465
http://www.antechlabs.com

You can also send it to the factory.
http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/service_...aspx?region=us

Hope that helps, it's great to see these great pieces of equipment running strong! They have Mac's set up in the main audio visual room at the store where I shop and I really enjoy spending time in there. I'm keeping my eye on them, waiting for the day when they sell a few of the units from demo.

c943 · 10-22-2006

Drool. have you looked into what those go for on Ebay?
Do not fret it should just be the volume control. Check with a local independent audio shop(not a chain or big box) and they should be able to point you to a good old school service tech.

c943 · 10-22-2006

wouldnt happen to be used to run a pair of tannoys would it?

Dmechler · 10-27-2006

Hey Guys(James, Stevo, RMA, C943)
Sorry I haven't responded earlier but it's been a crazy week with work and the CARDINALS made the World Series, which I have been attending and indulging in the last few days.
But anyhow.
This inf you guys gave me is priceless!
I bought this system from Antec Labs back in 79 or 80 . I thought they were out of bus. I guess not. I do know they quit dealing with the public years ago. I will have to check!
I had the manuals but...................still looking

I had no idea that McIntosh put on free clinics WOW!
I'll have to see about that.
I have this 4100 hooked to some McIntosh XR16 speakers, they're beggen for more though!

Had a dennon turntable hooked to it but lost it

Thanks for your help guys! I paid a lot of $ for this stuff years ago it used to sound wonderful, but lately it pops & crackles!
Sorry I couldn't reply sooner!
You guys are great!
I'll let you know what happens
GO CARDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dave

10-21-2006	#1 (permalink)
Dmechler beachaholic Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: On the Right side of THE RIVER! Posts: 446	Audio Question-McIntosh I have an old (25 yr. old) McIntosh 4100 receiver (Vacuum tube). Lately when you turn up the volume it cracks/crackles a lot. Does anybody know what causes this? If it was up to me it would be "WFO" all the time and I would'nt have to worry about the volume!

10-21-2006	#2 (permalink)
james beach geek admin Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: 10 year Playa resident lost in Kullavik, Sweden Posts: 9,613	That's a sweet piece of gear. It's likely the varistor volume control (maybe it's got a different name than that too, it's a potentiometer of some sort) that is noisy. It will likely need replacing unless it can be cleaned with contact cleaner spray. Luckily, you can get McIntosh parts easily. try the contact link on this page. __________________ My lovely house is for sale Get your own signature countdown image! Thanks for taking the time to read the announcement!

10-22-2006	#4 (permalink)
stevo137 life=playa Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Near Chicago Posts: 805	As James said, that is a great piece of equipment. The potentiometer should be fairly easy to replace. MAC-4100? The shop that I deal with is a McIntosh dealer and I can ask them about it. Last edited by stevo137 : 10-22-2006 at 11:10 AM.

10-22-2006	#6 (permalink)
stevo137 life=playa Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Near Chicago Posts: 805	In case you don't have the 4100 manual, I found a site that has free manuals and other McIntosh info. for you. Just click on the receiver tab and then 4100. http://www.berners.ch/McIntosh/en/Frame_McIntosh.htm Also, here is an authorized McIntosh shop in St. Louis. Antech Labs, Inc. 9 Sunnen Dr, Suite 300 St. Louis, MO 63143 Phone: 314-647-0009 Fax: 314-647-1465 http://www.antechlabs.com You can also send it to the factory. http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/service_...aspx?region=us Hope that helps, it's great to see these great pieces of equipment running strong! They have Mac's set up in the main audio visual room at the store where I shop and I really enjoy spending time in there. I'm keeping my eye on them, waiting for the day when they sell a few of the units from demo. Last edited by stevo137 : 10-22-2006 at 11:44 AM.

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10-21-2006	#3 (permalink)
Dmechler beachaholic Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: On the Right side of THE RIVER! Posts: 446	Thank's for the info James! Yeah this thing has 25 years of dust collecting in it. I would take it to where I bought it but they are no longer there. I guess I'll have to find a place that works on Macs. This thing sounds great as long as you don't mess with the volume control! (What you said is all greek to me )

10-22-2006	#5 (permalink)
Riviera Maya Ar beachaholic Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Playa del Carmen Posts: 313	I owned a store and we sold Mac. Check with a large dealer in you area see if the are having a McIntosh clinic soon. I think they still do clinics and will bring any Mac Amp up to specs at no charge no matter how old. We once had them completely rebuild a 35 year old amp in our store for free it was great advertising made 4 other people decide to buy expensive Mac equipment that day over less expensive brands. Good luck Penny & Jim Gallery in Playa coming soon www.turtlebeachart.com

10-22-2006	#7 (permalink)
c943 life=playa Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 914	Drool. have you looked into what those go for on Ebay? Do not fret it should just be the volume control. Check with a local independent audio shop(not a chain or big box) and they should be able to point you to a good old school service tech.

10-22-2006	#8 (permalink)
c943 life=playa Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 914	wouldnt happen to be used to run a pair of tannoys would it?

10-27-2006	#9 (permalink)
Dmechler beachaholic Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: On the Right side of THE RIVER! Posts: 446	Hey Guys(James, Stevo, RMA, C943) Sorry I haven't responded earlier but it's been a crazy week with work and the CARDINALS made the World Series, which I have been attending and indulging in the last few days. But anyhow. This inf you guys gave me is priceless! I bought this system from Antec Labs back in 79 or 80 . I thought they were out of bus. I guess not. I do know they quit dealing with the public years ago. I will have to check! I had the manuals but...................still looking I had no idea that McIntosh put on free clinics WOW! I'll have to see about that. I have this 4100 hooked to some McIntosh XR16 speakers, they're beggen for more though! Had a dennon turntable hooked to it but lost it Thanks for your help guys! I paid a lot of $ for this stuff years ago it used to sound wonderful, but lately it pops & crackles! Sorry I couldn't reply sooner! You guys are great! I'll let you know what happens GO CARDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dave

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