MCINTOSH MC-30-----COMPLETE RESTORATION

MUST READ--MUST READ--MUST READ!!!!! READ THIS FIRST!!! This is not a listing for the McIntosh MC-30 at a really absurd price. This listing is for the service required to get proper performance and reliability out of your own MC-30. If you already own one or more MC-30's, then read on. If you plan to buy a set of 30's, don't dare use them as is, they MUST be restored, so read on.

I am fond of MC-30's. I have a set myself, and I think that they are very hard to beat. The people at McIntosh really knew what they were doing when they designed these babies. They are a touch old now though, and it just stands to reason that they need to be examined and brought up to speed before you use them. This listing is for the standard and usual MC-30 restoration. In most cases, this precise service is what you need to buy so your own 30's will perform up to spec, and will be stable and safe and much less likely to fail on you.

The actual work involved in the restoration of MC-30's is pretty straightforward. Simply put, when the restoration is complete, none of the original capacitors remain, all are replaced. That sounds reasonably simple, and it is, but there is a catch. The work needs to be done in a precise and very tidy manner. I routinely see these machines after they have been worked on several different times over many years. You would be surprised at the "quality" of work that is often found. It is common to find that substandard parts have been selected, or that the installation has been done in a ham-handed manner, using jumpers or other shortcuts just to get the part in place. None of this will do. These are very premium machines, so premium parts must be used. The installation of the parts must be very precise and shortcuts are absolutely out. The job must be pretty when done, pretty equals reliable.

Since the transformers in MC-30's almost never fail, there are very few occasions when the complete restoration isn't sufficient. Even so, it is good procedure to start the process by thoroughly checking out the unit, just to be sure. If any complicating factors exist, we want to know all about that up front. When everything checks as expected, we proceed with the parts replacement and the cleanup. when the work is complete, the unit is tested to be certain that it confirms with the original specs. After that, the unit(s) must be "burned in" to confirm that the performance of the unit is stable over time. Once this is done, of course I must be pleased with the sound of the unit, after all good sound is the purpose of the whole effort.

The MC-30's pictured in this listing were sent to me by a very good fellow in lovely rural Arkansas. After these pictures were made, they were packed into their wooden crates and returned to him. I suspect that he was pleased with the results as he sent me the following note:

Bill, How sweet it 'tis! All hooked up and they sound marvelous! No hum or buzz and tons of gain. From Charles Ives' string quartets to Miles Davis solos, from acoustic Baez to Seger live and really rocking down the house, the reproduction is simply amazing. I stayed up til 11:30 last night listening until I regretfully shut everything down, as 4:30 wakeup comes rather early. You did a wonderful job on restoration and I couldn't be happier! Poolside on Father's Day is really going to rock--I feel sorry for the neighbors! Thanks so much on a job well done! Bruce

I could not say it better. Thanks, Bill