Good rule in life.
And sorry for you loss on this. Hope you can find someone who actually cares..
Amp Repair Grade: F
It’s not just in hi-fi repair, it’s in all the trades. Car repair, home repair, you name it. The old guys who knew what they were doing and cared have retired or worse, and lots of younger guys apparently take no pride in their work. It’s appalling. You now really have to do a lot of research to find good, qualified, caring, old world craftsmen. For McIntosh, roberjerman’s Audio Classics recommendation is spot on. |
I have a MC 2125, replaced the C28 with a NAD that had more flexibility. I decided to have the pair looked at, brought back to spec. The nearest McIntosh certified shop was in either Birmingham or Knoxville. I didn’t want to ship the equipment nor did I want to make the round trips that would be necessary. But the certified NAD shop was right down the street. I called McIntosh to find a local repair shop in the Atlanta area that was ordering a lot of parts from them. They were extremely helpful, and it turned out to be the NAD shop! I would call Mac immediately and let them know what happened to you. Ask them for someone in your area that orders a bunch of McIntosh parts. Visit the shop and look for some technicians with gray hair!!! |
I own many McIntosh units. I live in southern California. In 38 years of McIntosh ownership, I have yet to get a satisfactory repair from one of their local certified repair facilities. I long ago just bit the bullet and send my Mc units to either Audio Classics or to the factory. But BDP24 caught the issue just right. How often can you get anything repaired by a younger repairman who actually takes pride in his work? Sad commentary on our so-called service based economy. |
Go to Dave Cox of Puckerbrush Audio in Norway Maine. I give Dave my highest recommendation!! Dave is an incredibly gifted technician because he is also a radio station engineer. He can fix anything and is reasonable to boot. He has restored countless items for me including Mac tube gear JBL Paragons etc. He is a true craftsman and runs a used audio shop. His used speaker collection is amazing. |
Puckerbrush audio in Norway Maine. Dave Cox is the proprietor and is a radio engineer. He is an audio enthusiast and runs a used audio shop. He has restored countless items for me including Mcintosh a quick bath all the way to JBL Paragon. He is a true craftsman and quite reasonable. I give Dave my highest recommendation! |
Post removed |
Agree with bdp24 on the trades. I'm a DIY sort but there are times when I don't have the time (or skill) to fix a home/auto/tractor issue and pay someone to do it. So often I am shocked at the level of incompetency and end up learning how and then re-doing it myself. And I'm not a DIY sort because I like fixing stuff...it is starting to come out of necessity. |
I’m going to leave the subject of getting anything done
right (let alone the first time) alone…
Your two McIntosh units have not only sentimental value but real value as well. Why not invest in having them serviced by some of the best, therefore one more vote for Audio Classics. They can provide (at cost) proper shipping boxes that will allow your units to be shipped safely. I have purchase two McIntosh tuners and an integrated amplifier from them over the years that were refurbished and all arrived looking like new and have worked flawlessly for years
Ask for Ryan Kilpatrick who manages the service department. You will be in good hands and good luck. |
I spoke with the service manager this morning. I reviewed my findings. He asked that I bring the amp back and give them another chance to work on it. I asked for the opportunity to ask some questions. I didn't get excuses and was happy about that. The one thing that came to light was that the tech knew about the meters being dirty. He's know in the shop to do good work but sometimes miss details. They say he can fix anything. My take on it is that he's honest but perhaps not aware of expectations that most of us in this community would find normal. My impression is that he cares (works 5am to 12pm 4 days) he's old school but not precise. I'm not looking to shame this older gentleman or make a big deal about my standards. I'm simply going to request a refund for the work done on the amp and send it to Audio Classics. I was skeptical of the local, easy route, but wanted to have faith that it would be an easy, local fix. In hindsight my grade wasn't any better than his. Kind of sad, and as most agree, kind of the new normal. Thanks for all the advise and I'll update when I have real progress. |
bjesien
I'm simply going to request a refund for the work done on the amp and send it to Audio Classics.Smart move. They did nothing right with this "repair," so there's no reason to give them a second chance. You won't be disappointed with Audio Classics. |
Read this thread and, even if old school and "experienced," that's all the more reason he should have anticipated that disrupting accumulated dust particles into the circuitry would cause problems and should have taken appropriate precautions to guard against that in the first place. Heck, that's why we're all so careful to specify pet-free and smoke-free environments when selling our gear, right? We know this! I say get a refund and take your Mac to another, reputable repair expert that will do the work correctly. It shouldn't be incumbent on you to have to explain what the repair person did incorrectly and in the process you end up teaching them. That's not correct. Head elsewhere. I would. |
Sorry about your experience. Ive been there. Firstly though be forthcoming on what shop did the work? Why leave that info out of the equation? Very important to pass that info along to the community. For back east repair-- The Vestal NY is likely worth the try although I have never used them. Absolute Sound Labs in Minnesota is authorized and stands by their work. He is also available as a moderator on a Yahoo Mac forum. The only other recommended I have is in Cali.. Northridge Electronics in Simi Valley.. |