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_Mechaloth_ t1_jcvzokk wrote

Starting around $5300, if anyone is interested.

282

podaypodayson OP t1_jcw2hj2 wrote

And able to be passed on to my children, and likely their children.

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humanzee70 t1_jcwcbg3 wrote

Hey, you don’t have to justify it to us, lol. If you can afford it, enjoy!

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podaypodayson OP t1_jcwcqey wrote

Thanks. Perhaps I misinterpreted the comment I replied to. Yes, it’s expensive (and honestly unnecessary). But it’s BIFL, so here we are!

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humanzee70 t1_jcwdkhs wrote

Well, I’m sure it sounds amazing. Many years ago, when I was in high school, a friend’s parents had a beautiful McIntosh system (they still do). We used to love cranking that thing up when they weren’t home!

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podaypodayson OP t1_jcwexnt wrote

I think I’m too old for cranking up the volume these days. I mostly just sit and listen while reading or working on a spreadsheet. Adulthood is exciting!

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humanzee70 t1_jcwm92g wrote

Adulthood has it’s own rewards.

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alphabet_order_bot t1_jcwm9zj wrote

Would you look at that, all of the words in your comment are in alphabetical order.

I have checked 1,409,457,235 comments, and only 269,283 of them were in alphabetical order.

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seamallowance t1_jcxch0c wrote

Yes, but they all involve Ibuprofen.

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Koitenshin t1_jcz3fra wrote

I laughed harder at this than I should have. Then I had to take an ibuprofen.

5

seamallowance t1_jczazl2 wrote

I am pleased to read of other’s passion for vintage hifi. I have Hafler gear. None of my peers care. It often seems that nobody under 50 appreciates vintage hifi. I just tell them to get off my lawn.

2

ywBBxNqW t1_jczlnfw wrote

> Adulthood has it’s own rewards.

Like hypertension and swollen ankles.

1

humanzee70 t1_jcznmlr wrote

No swollen ankles yet, but the hypertension is settling in, lol.

1

Bootyblastastic t1_jcx83v3 wrote

But if you were to crank it up, what would you blast? Or what was the last album you cranked up?

3

Jisp_36 t1_jcxn4tk wrote

Please excuse me, I realise your question was directed at the Op but I can't resist. Mine was AC/DC Back In Black. Cranked all the way up to 11 because that is the only way to listen to that masterpiece.📢🎤🎸🥁📢

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Dlemor t1_jcxzfhp wrote

For those about to rock, we salut you! FIRE!

4

podaypodayson OP t1_jd0528z wrote

Oh man… that’s a tough one, as it depends greatly on the mood. Top five crank up tunes that come to mind (in no particular order):

  1. Low Self Opinion-Rollin’s Band
  2. Life On Mars-David Bowie
  3. Adore-Prince
  4. John Finn’s Wife-Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds
  5. Regret-Fiona Apple
2

ski-dad t1_jcyr7ei wrote

I don’t know.. 50’s here and was cranking Jane’s Addiction - Three Days this weekend. Sounded pretty good!

2

amitrion t1_jcx1fsb wrote

Kids won't care... just like my $1000 fishing pole. Don't expect them to value your collectibles.

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Bootyblastastic t1_jcx8793 wrote

Totally, my dad gave me some old car named after a fish, said is valuable. Doesn’t have infotainment or anything I need. Hate it.

12

iamshifter t1_jcxj68g wrote

A Barracuda?!

No, Tiburon… V6 😎

10

mmmmmarty t1_jcyb187 wrote

I've landed some of my biggest catches on my grandfather's old heavers and pier rods. His Penn Senators and Mitchell clickers still run like new. I wish he knew how much I like them.

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alexandertg4 t1_jcyla3w wrote

He does. You make him proud.

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mmmmmarty t1_jczf5ja wrote

Thank you for saying that. My breath caught in my chest for moment when I read it. Peace to you.

4

Thirdnipple79 t1_jcywgu5 wrote

Haha, depends on what you collect. Mine seem to value my video game collection.

3

Koitenshin t1_jcz3sre wrote

This is definitely true from all the posts I've read in r/coins of people just unloading entire collections into Coinstar machines.

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skinny_jimmy54 t1_jcya2le wrote

You’re kids suck. I can’t wait for my dad to croak so I can inherit all his cool shit

−5

mailerdeemon t1_jcyhjfn wrote

After they recap it and buy new tubes every decade or two. Tube amps are BIFL in the same way a Rolex is BIFL. They aren't inherently reliable, in fact they are less reliable than many cheaper options, but due to their value people will keep servicing them.

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podaypodayson OP t1_jcymddr wrote

Recapping shouldn’t be necessary for a long time, if ever on a modern unit (gen 4 and newer). Yes the tubes need replacing eventually, but I’ve got 16 years on mine so it’s not like it’s common, and they’re obviously user replaceable.

0

Bob_Chris t1_jcza2m3 wrote

I was given a McIntosh MC-30 Monoblock amp about 30 years ago which was used as part of a home sound system in at my uncle's house in Binghamton, NY. Had to have been purchased late '50s early '60s based on when that model was made. And they were $153.50 when new ($1560 today). I never got it up and running myself, but ended up selling it on Ebay about 5 years ago for $1200. So basically maintained its value over time.

I'm guessing your amp has done about the same.

1

podaypodayson OP t1_jczadrf wrote

Definitely. I don’t plan on selling it, but knowing I can get back what I paid pretty easily is a nice bonus.

1

77707777770777 t1_jcweyty wrote

Do you think that someone who has at best heard, in terms of home speaker setups, just stuff like bose from the 90s and on wards would actually hear much of a difference?

They few times I have know "audiophiles" they just turn stuff up way too freaking loud.

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podaypodayson OP t1_jcwhhlp wrote

In this case? Yes, with a “but”

I replaced the amp in a nice ($1200)Denon receiver with the MC275, and the difference was instantly noticeable, and far more pleasing to my ear.

That said, tube amps tend to be less accurate than solid state amps, so while it may sound better to my ear, it’s not as close to the original recording as solid state. Think of it like Vaseline on a camera lens. It hides imperfections, but isn’t necessarily true to the original source.

There are more modern tube amps that most would agree sound better than the MC275, but they’re in the same price range (if not higher), and don’t have the same aesthetic appeal.

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SlightComplaint t1_jcxiar0 wrote

Also bear in mind the speakers themselves have higher distortion factors than the amps. And I think that's just physics. You can swing an electrical signal far quicker than moving the mass of a speaker cone.

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HeywoodJaBlessMe t1_jcyu60o wrote

Nope.

The differences between quality amplifiers is vanishingly small. And the closer to perfect they are, the more similar they sound.

Amps are one of the last places to spend your money when designing a home audio system.

In terms of sound quality importance the order is: speakers, room, source, amp, interconnects.

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h2opolodude4 t1_jcwre0o wrote

Can confirm. I'm the 2nd generation owner of a bunch of hifi equipment. Lots more enjoyment still to be had.

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LittleBitGhengisKhan t1_jcyfwqt wrote

What about the tubes? I’ve read it’s harder and harder to find replacements.

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podaypodayson OP t1_jcym4ls wrote

KT88 are relatively commonplace, and those are the primary tubes that will need to be replaced. I would hope someone would step in to continue manufacturing them if it came to that but who knows.

2

SunnyCofax t1_jczgt95 wrote

Agree. Saying this as a person who has bought my Mac gear new… and has my father’s Macs from the late 60s/70s … both are overbuilt & work great!

2

Noteagro t1_jcys0vz wrote

That is all contingent on parts being replaced and regular servicing. These style amps often need to be serviced once every 5-10 years based on the manufacturer’s recommendations.

I bet you know that, but make sure those that are being passed such an expensive piece of hardware understand they will need to pay those expenses too. Otherwise they will just end up with an expensive paperweight.

1

podaypodayson OP t1_jcyx5wz wrote

I can’t speak for other tube amps, but there is no recommended service interval for these. Replace the tubes when they burn out, and repair things as they break (as with anything else). I’ve had this amp 16 years now, and I’m still running the original tubes. They’ll likely need to be replaced soon, but that’s not a bad run

2

Noteagro t1_jcyxmgw wrote

Damn! That is really good, when I was looking at amps I kept seeing people talk about the tubes and other components need to be replaced after 5-10 years. Wonder if the high price point helps with better quality.

1

podaypodayson OP t1_jcz6mfq wrote

From what I understand, amp design can have a pretty significant impact on tube life. The harder the tubes are driven, the more often they’ll need replacement, so the amp tubes (the large 4) will need to be replaced probably twice as often as the pre-stage (the smaller ones in front). Considering this only puts out 75 watts per channel, it’s a pretty conservative design.

1

CosmicRambo t1_jcz5cjs wrote

And one of them is probably gonna sell it on facebook marketplace for $50

1

gregsting t1_jczjgvj wrote

I’m not sure this is more reliable than any other reasonable quality stereo amp though

1

podaypodayson OP t1_jczwzbp wrote

While possibly true, how many reasonable quality stereo amps are still in use after 20, 30, or 40 years?

1

gregsting t1_jd1rxim wrote

Still a lot but of course people keep the most valuable stuff. But is a Ferrari a buy it for life car because people will never discard it?

0

podaypodayson OP t1_jd2huyk wrote

Assuming someone buys a Ferrari as a daily driver and it’s maintenance free for a decade and a half? Yes.

0

gregsting t1_jd3ig89 wrote

It isn’t, but still people keep their 50 years old Ferrari and don’t keep their 50 yo Toyota

0

MayorDaley t1_jd0bsni wrote

If you have the manual or packaging, write down where to find replacement tubes and which specific type to look for. A manual might just say to buy from Mcintosh, but there are other options.

1

podaypodayson OP t1_jd0c51r wrote

Yeah the manual recommends McIntosh, but if course theirs are just rebranded from other brands.

There are a few websites that sell them, and luckily each tube is labeled with the type.

1

Axel1010 t1_jcxtb9h wrote

I have a great Sony amp from 1995. It was passed down to me by my father. It cost 100$ in a pawn shop back then and gets used every single day. It sure doesn’t look that good but I’ll bet you 100$ no one can hear the difference.

−3

podaypodayson OP t1_jcy5hsz wrote

Pretty much anyone can hear the difference. It’s a completely different technology versus FET driven amps and has an inherently different sound. Whether or not the difference is worth the cost is up to the individual, but the difference is profound.

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podaypodayson OP t1_jcvyoxi wrote

Sometimes BIFL can be boring (no offense to the socks and cutlery lovers out there!). The McIntosh MC275 has been in production since 1961, and unlike most consumer electronics, is still relevant today after more than 60 years.

I bought mine in 2007, and somehow it’s still running on the original tubes. As long as standard passive speakers are available, the MC275 will be a relevant piece of audio gear.

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holddemaio t1_jcwhd3q wrote

that is a sweet piece of kit. what kind of speakers do you have that feeding? (if you don’t mind me asking)

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podaypodayson OP t1_jcwi020 wrote

I have a pair of Vienna Acoustics Beethoven Concert Grand speakers. Sadly I don’t believe they’re sold in the states anymore, but I find them to be quite wonderful.

https://www.vienna-acoustics.com/speakers/concert-grand-series/beethoven-concert-grand-reference/

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Govt-Issue-SexRobot t1_jcyadfm wrote

I feel like I should dress nicer to browse that website

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contempt1 t1_jczpld3 wrote

Reminds me of being a poor college student but had hi-fidelity tastes and would visit stereophile stores and geek out with staff listening to the little details. Sadly, my now spotify life along with family no longer affords those dreams any longer. Rock on.

3

holddemaio t1_jcwkjqi wrote

oh man. i can still remember the first time i auditioned a pair of Vienna Acoustics. they were some of the only speakers i can recall giving me a deep emotional reaction. and those were only bookshelves! i cant imagine what yours must sound like.

I know that Magnolia Audio Video used to carry them many years back but Vienna had to pull out of the stores because they couldn’t build the speakers as fast as they were selling, and didnt want the brand to suffer from lack of craftsmanship (or so the story was told to me).

i bet you’ll enjoy those and the McIntosh forever and ever - thanks for sharing!

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podaypodayson OP t1_jcwllnj wrote

You bet!

And from what I understand the version of the story you heard is correct. The other brands carried at Magnolia at the time were much larger operations and could handle the increase in volume that came much better. Vienna had something like 25 employees at the the time, and there was no way it was going to work. Sumiko (their US distributor) ended up dropping them entirely since Magnolia was their only retail contract. It’s a shame.

7

JustJ-that-is-it t1_jcwvn1b wrote

Viennas are great. I had a pair of Sonas Faber, Cremona. Had to sell them as they were impractical living in the city.

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podaypodayson OP t1_jcxrwjc wrote

I love Sonus Faber. They sound incredible and look amazing.

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hacknix t1_jcxn99m wrote

You've hit on what might limit it's lifespan there. Tubes. Eventually, at some point, the tubes will cease being made...

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woden_spoon t1_jcxsc1m wrote

Not sure why the downvotes—there’s been a pretty significant tube shortage for the past couple of years. There are only a few factories that produce them. One closed recently, and another is in Russia where tubes were on the 2022 export ban list. This has caused musicians and audiophiles to hoard tubes, further exacerbating the supply-chain issue.

For those who don’t know, vacuum tubes have a limited lifespan. You can get 5-10 years out of a tube if you only use it occasionally and at low volumes, but if you use them several times a week at higher volumes, they’ll last maybe 2-3 years.

The possibility of tubes becoming unobtainable or prohibitively expensive is very real.

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mega_brown_note t1_jcyctno wrote

I feel like the law of supply and demand means there will always be tubes available … for a certain price.

3

Shitebart t1_jcz6ojd wrote

As long as guitarists exist, somebody will still be producing tubes. I don't think tube guitar amps are going anywhere. They've remained strong throughout 20+ years of digital tube amp simulation and I don't foresee that changing

1

Somamang t1_jcx6gs1 wrote

That looks absolutely tantalizing. My ears are drooling! I can feel the warmth.

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podaypodayson OP t1_jcxsoxf wrote

Looks great with the lights in the room low as well. McIntosh running, lights down, and a glass of wine is a great way to unwind.

3

[deleted] t1_jcyyuon wrote

[deleted]

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podaypodayson OP t1_jcz6v64 wrote

I wish there were more places people could A/B compare them with solid state. Though the MC7300 is certainly a worthy competitor!

2

Ystebad t1_jcw2seo wrote

McIntosh has always been a dream of mine.

First I didn’t have the money. Then got the money but wife that thinks audio stuff shouldn’t be seen. 😢

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podaypodayson OP t1_jcw3671 wrote

I got mine after a bad breakup. Seemed like a better idea than drinking

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Ystebad t1_jcw3br9 wrote

That running a set of Klipshhorns and I would never leave home.

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podaypodayson OP t1_jcw3w4s wrote

I’d love that, but I don’t have the funds or the space for them. Mine is running a pair of Vienna Acoustics Beethoven Concert Grand speakers. Much smaller profile than the Klipschhorn and got them 70% off at their former US distributor as “b stock” (a couple cosmetic dings) back in 2006. Obviously the speakers and amp cost a bit of money, but I’ll have them until I die, so for me the cost is justified.

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Shashi2005 t1_jcw8ijc wrote

She's right. If you're buying audio equipment for it's visual appearance, something ain't right.

I've got a decent band PA system upstairs but my daily drive is a Roland Street ex busking amp. I use it in school, in my garden, in the street, for busking. And monitoring my home recordings.

Goldberg variations are awesome. Even on 78RPM shellac.

It's the notes that count.

−15

newkyular t1_jcx8t4e wrote

That's not what she means.

Also, busking is cool!

2

cropguru357 t1_jcwjrc4 wrote

Hm. I’d think the tubes would have a consumable quality to them?

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podaypodayson OP t1_jcwl37q wrote

Yes, the tubes will need occasional replacement, though these have been running for 16 years, so it’s not often. And of course they are user replaceable.

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TaliesinWI t1_jcwzxrd wrote

Comes down to number of hours they're run, not how many years they've been installed. 2500 hours is a good rule of thumb, but if the amp is a conservative design (doesn't run the tubes that hard) you might get even more out of them.

Pre-amp or small signal tubes usually last even longer.

10

podaypodayson OP t1_jcxs00m wrote

Absolutely. I use it about 2-3 hours a day, so I’m prepared to replace them any day now.

5

TheInebriati t1_jczf7qp wrote

I much more reliable indicator of tube health is how hot they’re biased. Tubes biased close to the crossover can last a loooong time.

2

Whole_Aspect_7216 t1_jcwtzy5 wrote

Can confirm. My dad bought one be in the 60s while working at a stereo shop. He died in 2004. I still have it in working condition.

Thing is built like a tank.

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podaypodayson OP t1_jcxrpgy wrote

A very heavy tank!

7

zvexler t1_jcykl2d wrote

How heavy is it? An estimate if you aren’t sure?

5

tofupoopbeerpee t1_jcwjczr wrote

At that price it better be BFL.

23

TaliesinWI t1_jcx07sm wrote

Pfft. McIntosh will sell you an amplifier with a 1 in front of that price (not that I would ever pay nearly that much for one) and you can easily double that price with other high-end brands. The Audio Research 160M monoblocks at $30K/pair come to mind.

10

Regulator0110 t1_jcylrn3 wrote

Pffft, I will sell you my desktop monitors for 100k each. This game is EASY.

6

TaliesinWI t1_jcyxjkb wrote

Meh, generally the more expensive stuff sounds better than the mass-fi stuff Best Buy will sell you. The prices go up faster than the "benefit" because the high-end stuff doesn't have economy of scale and/or is hand built (or at least isn't being churned off a non-US/European assembly line). Whether it's worth it to you/anyone is another matter entirely, and even those deep in the hobby have a cutoff point.

5

Regulator0110 t1_jcz28jp wrote

For sure, Ive hand-soldered point-to-point tube power amplifiers, so I totally understand, but at a point, a large percentage of the asking price is gatekeeping the prestige, regardless of how transparent the soundstage. I bet they do sound phenomenal though.

1

TheEverHumbled t1_jd0cwib wrote

BIFL community walks a tricky line between "good value" and "status symbol" goods, sometimes.

​

My interpretation of an ideal BIFL item boils down to this:

-The item costs you more in the short term, but you are saving money/avoiding waste in the long run.

​

For instance, quality boots which can be resoled repeatedly and last much longer than cheapo's, are a great BIFL. Stuff which is modular, and allows for self-repair with low cost, commonly worn sub-components are great for this.

On the flip side, rare/elite goods sometimes have a cost well beyond what most of us would ever spend in their entire lifetimes on moderate quality alternatives. Such things have allure for enthusiasts, in part because the detailing brings them joy, possibly beyond the raw utility of the item.

Also, if an item dramatically changes your behavior such that you have to be really cautious or paranoid of people borrowing, stealing, damaging or losing the item, I feel like those aspects need to be considered too.

​

Stuff like Montblanc or Rolex can be fine items, but sometimes a LAMY or Casio will suit the needs of many as a durable value.

1

dontshoot4301 t1_jczmbul wrote

Audiophiles, like most hobbies to a lesser extreme do this crazy shit. It’s barely discernible improvements for exponentially higher prices and everyone fawns over the price rather than the enjoyment.

0

ChalupaCabre t1_jcwz33x wrote

BIFF.. Buy It For Forever

$5300USD?? Wtf!

−16

deltarho t1_jcx3qc5 wrote

First time seeing an expensive piece of hifi gear?

15

ChalupaCabre t1_jcx4h6c wrote

No… I own a pair of Apple AirPod Pro’s. Lol

−25

Lee1138 t1_jcxt6q4 wrote

If you think airpods are expensive audio gear, you are not the target demo for this kind of item.

22

StevenTM t1_jczejpr wrote

Oof

1

ChalupaCabre t1_jd09s09 wrote

Lol pretty are very uptight about their audio!

1

StevenTM t1_jd0axwp wrote

I don't own anything better than my airpods pro (adequate on the go), a pair of Bose QC35 (comfy!) and a 3.0 Sonos system with no sub, which is nonetheless more than adequate for my needs.

But yeah, when discussing "expensive" and "hifi" audio gear, airpods aren't really part of either discussion.

1

cronx42 t1_jcwqtrj wrote

That Mac is beautiful, and I bet it sounds great. What kind of power does it make, and how does it perform?

I have an old Pioneer Spec1 and Spec2 amp and preamp. I need to get it reconditioned. It still works, but the pots need cleaning, and I would imagine some stuff on the board needs replacing. It is scratchy when adjusting the majority of the pots. It puts out MASSIVE power, though.

Currently, I can't hook it up. I'm living in an apartment. I have some SVS bookshelf speakers that I have hooked up to it before I moved, and it sounded like a PA system. It's the loudest bookshelf stereo I've heard by a decent margin.

Eventually, I will have all new SVS towers, surrounds or bookshelfs, subs, and Emotiva amps and processors. If I can ever afford a house. Once I have a place to build my dream system, it will come together.

7

podaypodayson OP t1_jcxrk2e wrote

It’s relatively low power by modern standards, putting out 75 watts per channel, but I’ve never noticed any shortcomings.

Old pioneer gear was incredible, I’d say it’s absolutely worth getting yours back into operating order!

3

cronx42 t1_jczcski wrote

75 is plenty for most applications. I'm sure it's a clean and powerful 75W. I've heard some people run Khorns on 2W or less and they can blow the corners of your foundation apart...

Yeah, the Spec1 and Spec2 are fairly iconic. They were used in many studios and are rack mountable. I need to get them fixed up.

3

southcounty253 t1_jcwrubg wrote

Very sweet. My late grandpa had an amazing McIntosh system with floor standing Martin Logan's. My Sony setup pales in comparison, but he's why I love good sound.

7

BunkyDingDing t1_jcx4vkt wrote

Marc Maron said on his podcast once he has wanted one of these his whole life. He goes to hang out with Jack White and Jack has 50 of em. He thinks to himself well if Jack has 50 of em surely I can afford one. Ran down to record store, realized he couldn’t and bought something else(can’t remember what he got).

7

gnatskeeter t1_jcx8yg6 wrote

“At some point in the last two years, I got a renewed interest in playing records. I'd had turntables before, and I had a box of records that I'd been carting around since high school. I always knew in the back of my head that records had more integrity than digital music. I went to interview Jack White at his place in Nashville, and he's a real analog guy. He had these Mackintosh tube amps, and I got hung up on the idea of getting a tube amp, but the ones Jack had were $15,000. There was no way I could spend that kind of money on stereo equipment and enjoy it; I'd always be thinking, does this sound like $15,000? I don't think so.”

7

BunkyDingDing t1_jcxbjrf wrote

That’s one quote about them but another time he went into talking about how he had so many surely he could afford one.

Either way I fucking love Marc Maron.

3

CarlySortof t1_jcxymq7 wrote

Damn I only recognize this and things like it because of my late audiophile grandpa. We’ve got a lot of insanely nice stuff like this we’re all just kinda scared to try using ourselves

7

TangibleSounds t1_jcy3ggs wrote

Sorry if I’m being slow here but what does it do?

7

podaypodayson OP t1_jcy6f2d wrote

It takes the line level signal from a pre-amp and amplified it to play through speakers. Prior to the 60s, you needed an amp, pre-amp, and speakers to play music. Today all of that fits in a small bluetooth speaker.

5

omw_to_valhalla t1_jcwl83h wrote

Gorgeous piece of kit!

Good audio equipment is definitely BIFL!

My NAD head unit isn't in the same league, but is a quality piece that should last for life as well. It's from the 90's, I bought it used about 10 years ago, and it still works perfectly!

4

podaypodayson OP t1_jcwls9p wrote

Yup! NAD made some amazing stuff in the 90s. I love the convenience of “modern” audio (iPhones and such), but nothing beats the stability and performance of quality audio gear

3

WineSoda t1_jcyf8p7 wrote

I have awesome memories of digging through piles of transistors in old audiophile stores.

3

podaypodayson OP t1_jcylwu4 wrote

Yeah. I miss the way audio used to be. The mid-tier is gone. Everything now is either high end or bargain basement.

2

deltarho t1_jcx3vp1 wrote

I’m not a fan of most new McIntosh equipment, but somewhere deep down I still want a 275. Very nice amp!

2

podaypodayson OP t1_jcxsg9n wrote

Thanks! I can’t justify any of their other products, the MC275 is a bit of a bargain compared to most of their catalog.

2

deltarho t1_jcz3jpm wrote

A “bargain” and a real heritage design that isn’t just OpAmps dressed up in a fancy black and green box.

3

Theoldelf t1_jcx4m2i wrote

That is the dream amp for sure. Grats.

2

JustYerAverage t1_jcy14ty wrote

I used to make tube amplifiers for Dynaco.

2

podaypodayson OP t1_jcy68p2 wrote

That’s awesome. Are they still around?

2

JustYerAverage t1_jcy6qd0 wrote

No, I don't think so. They were being manufactured by a company called Sound Values, mid 90s. I think the owners' names were John & Joy Peterson. Great company.

2

podaypodayson OP t1_jcyln4f wrote

That’s a shame. So many great audio brands died as consumers chose convenience over quality.

2

DrGonzo34 t1_jcy4o85 wrote

If you buy one, you won’t have any money left to buy another for the rest of your life.

Admittedly, this is top of the line, though.

2

friendoffuture t1_jcz047s wrote

The problem is the "new old stock" tubes will run out eventually and you'll be buying artisan small batch tubes from a resuscitated Russian assembly line for $100s.

2

podaypodayson OP t1_jcz6y7q wrote

This is true. But for now I’m just enjoying the sound.

3

Ellietoomuch t1_jczp07l wrote

Purely a hater comment incoming, but that’s too high end to feel like it belongs here, like yea I’m sure if I could afford $5k for audio equipment sure, but like, who is this post for? For other rich audiophiles? They probs already know , this just feels like a flex on a niche item

2

podaypodayson OP t1_jczy28m wrote

Personally I disagree. I picked this up used 16 years ago for $3500, so $218/year to own it at this point, and many years still ahead. Meanwhile, how many people buy a new pair of AirPods or similar every year? Not an exact comparison but you get the idea.

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Ellietoomuch t1_jd04qol wrote

Well I’m sure you disagree, just like I disagree who’s gaining anything of value here, this is probably my poverty talking but it feels like telling someone to buy a $30k car over a $2k car bc it’ll last so much better when you simply can’t afford a 30k car like that in the first place. Great advice for those with money, otherwise just feels useless and like a brag. Enjoy the toy tho, just feels like the wrong sub to me.

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podaypodayson OP t1_jd07fwg wrote

Well no offense was intended. (In my view) Some BIFL items are designed to save money, and some are designed to be purchased that last a lifetime, practical or not. We all treat ourselves occasionally, and while income largely determines what those treats look like, the intent is the same.

A lot of people buy a new (inexpensive) stereo every few years to keep up with current technology. A lot of people buy inexpensive Bluetooth speakers, and replace them every couple of years when the internal battery dies and can’t be replaced. Assuming I keep and use this for 50 years (not unreasonable), was the cost really that high? I don’t believe so.

I try to buy things I’m going to keep where possible. I have t-shirts I bought in high school (30 years ago) that I still wear, holes and all. I have a blender I bought 20 years ago that I’ll have forever. And the last time I bought underwear was in 2008 at Target (no holes, no need to replace!), and my kitchen cutlery is a set my grandmother got free when she opened a bank account in the 1940s.

And while a $2000 car might fit your budget better than a $30,000 car, that $2000 car is still likely out of reach for a lot of people, and might be seen as a flex. Meanwhile, some dude with a boat is going to look at my McIntosh and scoff since it didn’t cost six figures and require five figure annual maintenance.

Again, if my post offended you, I apologize, that wasn’t the intent, nor was a “flex”. I just thought that in the disposable world of consumer electronics, something with staying power was appropriate. Money and toys don’t buy happiness, and some of my best memories are from when I was earning $6/hr and living with 4 roommates. Hopefully you understand my perspective and I genuinely hope you enjoy the rest of your day.

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larman14 t1_jcxww9d wrote

I’m a child of the 80’s and have no idea what this is? A radio? Is it a flux capacitor?

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podaypodayson OP t1_jcy5td1 wrote

It is a speaker amplifier. In the world of traditional stereo setups, most people connect speakers to a receiver, which is essentially a pre-amp and amp combo. The pre-amp let’s you select source and set volume, and the amp takes that information and amplifies the signal to play through the speakers. In this case the amp is not built in to a receiver but is a separate item (as pictured)

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IandIreckon t1_jcy88lo wrote

For that price it had better outlive my grandkids

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CruelHandLuke_ t1_jcyi2ub wrote

I have a McIntosh C50 driving an MC402 hooked up to B&W 702 S2 signatures with an SVS PB3000 for bass.

I love McIntosh gear, it's the best stereo I've had.

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podaypodayson OP t1_jcymilw wrote

That’s a great setup! I love the 702s. I’m using a REL sub which is fantastic.

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albertienstien t1_jcz0spy wrote

What? You know theyve invented solid state amps right? You know modern caps can last much much longer. Dude im an audiophile as much as the next guy and the 275 is an AMAZING product but by its very nature its not BIFL.

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podaypodayson OP t1_jcz8hqe wrote

Yes, I’m aware that solid state has been invented. While the tubes here will need eventual replacement, they are obviously user replaceable, so no technician needed for the most common “repair”. Although the overall design is 60 years old, they’re using modern caps here, so those should last just as long as any other quality amp.

But, because of the simplicity and long history of this product, there will likely always be a source for any needed parts and repairs, unlike most vintage electronics. Additionally, due to what it is (an amp, nothing more), there is no technology to become obsolete. How many perfectly operating A/V receivers are now useless due to changing technology? The Denon AVR5600 released in 1998 was the ultimate AV receiver and sold for over $5000. But… no HDMI, no 4k, no modern deciding, and today it’s virtually worthless.

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darth_faader t1_jcz1kn4 wrote

Gorgeous. I love their early solid state amps, MC 2205 for the win (the tube era is largely too rich for my blood)

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L_viathan t1_jczd20f wrote

I always thought these things looked really cool, even though I have literally no idea what they do.

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podaypodayson OP t1_jcztz5k wrote

Makes speakers play music!

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L_viathan t1_jczupnh wrote

So there's like a mini version of this in most regular speakers?

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podaypodayson OP t1_jczy9vu wrote

Yep! Any Bluetooth speaker or speaker that plugs into a computer has a miniaturized version inside. Obviously made from different technology, but same concept.

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L_viathan t1_jczyqtk wrote

So with it being external and large, you can get better sound quality? Plus maybe interchangeable parts to customize outcome?

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podaypodayson OP t1_jczzyex wrote

Yes, there are modders out there, though that’s beyond my capabilities.

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i_donno t1_jczijjt wrote

I know its spelled differently but I always thought it was weird that these amps and Apple Macs could co-exist especially when Apple got into music.

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podaypodayson OP t1_jczw7jn wrote

I don’t know that Apple and McIntosh ever had a conflict. The Beatles on the other hand…

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Guses t1_jczizzn wrote

Is that a tube amp? I'm assuming it only takes analog signals?

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podaypodayson OP t1_jczwjbq wrote

Yes, it’s a tube amp. It only accepts analog inputs from a pre-amp/processor, but any pre/pro will accept digital signals (HDMI, tos-link, etc), so functionally it’s the same as any more modern amp.

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SkyVINS t1_jczja6m wrote

Yeah i mean, for how handsome the thing is, *anything* is BIFL if you are ok with constantly buying spare parts. Tubes there are about £20 each, now that they are still being made.

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podaypodayson OP t1_jczwoss wrote

Constantly might be an exaggeration though. I’ve had it 16 years and bought zero parts so far.

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Razgrez11 t1_jczmof9 wrote

Thought those were Nixie-tubes for a second.

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Busman123 t1_jczqh9u wrote

Nice! Are replacement valves available?

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1872Glen t1_jd0d3kw wrote

Just looked up the price in Australia, 13k wow.

Does this thing get loud and sound awesome?

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podaypodayson OP t1_jd0dfm2 wrote

That’s about $8700 USD? I paid $3500, though granted it was 16 years ago and it was a display model.

It does indeed get loud though.

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BoltingBubby t1_jd3wve7 wrote

It has no moving parts. Ns it’s bifl. You’re kidding yourself if you think with heavy use one of the board components won’t have to be swapped out though while costing a hefty price to do so. You’d also be kidding yourself if you think a solid state wouldn’t last just as long or longer while being better in every measurable way and costing a fraction of the price. Pointless post for this sub tbh

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podaypodayson OP t1_jd3zhoe wrote

Plenty of things with no moving parts are posted here daily. Spoons, socks, thermoses, etc etc etc.

I don’t know too many people who have had the same stereo for 16 years (and counting). BIFL is part reliability, part repairability, and part long term relevance. Yes there are cheaper solutions, and those solutions get replaced somewhat often because they lack current technology. This does not fall into that trap.

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[deleted] t1_jcwpu3u wrote

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ChalupaCabre t1_jcwz8h1 wrote

I mean, I would agree the price is high… but obviously it’s worth it, or nobody would buy one and they would go out of business.

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