mcintosh c11 preamp

[clicks]

i just inherited a vintage mcintosh c11 valve preamp. it was in storage for a while...long while....it worked perfectly for a few days and it has now developed a hum which gets louder when the volume increases  ...is there anyone in the durban area that can have a look and maybe sort this problem....or any suggestions from the members as to what could possibly cause the hum..thanks 

[Kent Kassler.]

Clicks my friend...swop it with me to complete a full Mcintosh setup!I will give you something nice for it...pretty please?

[Kent Kassler.]

Charles is a good man in Durban I will find his number and get it off to you...

[Agaton Sax]

This is a true classic. Please make sure that any work done  will be done with the same care as would be on a vitage Ferrari.

http://www.audioclassics.com/detail.php3?detail=C11&nav=cat

[Kent Kassler.]

Ag no man,let's hack and slash and do do a modern rehash!

[charles]

This is a true "Ferrari" pre-amp. Keep it and restore it. I have been looking for this type of pre-amplifier for years.

Regards

Charles

[ghostinthemachine]

Here is a detailed page of the C11

http://soundup.ru/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=15:mcintosh-c11-classic-tube-preamp&catid=11:pre-amplifier&directory=14

Replace the caps with quality components (not "audiophile" per se)

You lucky fish... now try and grab those McIntosh mono amps from Peter...

[charles]

Be very carefull with the restoration. One cannot just replace all the caps. If some are oil one's maybe it can be kept. If possible let somebody, that is familiar with restoring vintage hifi do it for you. This is to ensure that it keeps its value so try you keep it as original as possible. Hope this will help.

Regards

Charles

[clicks]

@peter  im sure you would love this preamp...but now sentimental value..lol...lets talk about the poweramps..thanks for the advice guys...a friend of mine is getting an old pioneer integrated valve amp...which i swopped ...sorted out by charles...will contact him soon..

[Moog]

Why dont you speak to Ampdog from Pretoria. I do not think that shipping charges will be prohibitive. I think that he quite a wizzard with valve gear.

[Ampdog]

Welcome.

Just in general: A classic piece of equipment's "value' is often contrary to its performance. Classic value is very much a question of sentimental value accorded to 'classic'. Thus one is often confronted with a choice between a optimal working unit and retention of 'original appearance'.

That has been my experience with e.g. .the Quad 22 pre-amp, which circuit-wise is still one of the most versatile available. But the choice is between a maintained classic execution OR a properly functional unit. Not to belabour further, one keeps to the original component-wise as far as is possible, but some change may be necessary to have optimal functionality. I try to apply the principle of 'what the (original) designer would have done' had he been alive today.

[VALVAGLO]

I can vouch for Ampdog's explanation of "restoration" to what the original designer would want his equipment to sound like if he were still alive today. He restored my Quad 11 mono blocks and they probably sound better today because of the strides in technology and devices obtainable today compared to their efficiency and  availability today.
IMVHO Ampdog is the Valve King

[charles]

Agreed, regarding the restoration of these Classics (with new components where applicable), but be careful as not to "modify" it in such a way that it does not resemble the original product. For example it may be necessary to replace the coupling capacitors and some resistors, but for e.g. as in the case of a Leak TL12.1 one has to try to keep its original oil capacitor pack (or refill the electrolyte if possible), so that it retains also its "monetary, cosmetic and collectable value ". It is wise to keep the original relpaced components.

I test these restored vintage equipment with modern test equipment (for e.g. spectrumanalyzer, low distortion audio oscillator's, audio wattmeter, and others) in order to ensure that the specifications are on par/better with its original specifications.   


Regards   

Charles

[ghostinthemachine]

Agreed, regarding the restoration of these Classics (with new components where applicable), but be careful as not to "modify" it in such a way that it does not resemble the original product. For example it may be necessary to replace the coupling capacitors and some resistors, but for e.g. as in the case of a Leak TL12.1 one has to try to keep its original oil capacitor pack (or refill the electrolyte if possible), so that it retains also its "monetary, cosmetic and collectable value ". It is wise to keep the original relpaced components.

I test these restored vintage equipment with modern test equipment (for e.g. spectrumanalyzer, low distortion audio oscillator's, audio wattmeter, and others) in order to ensure that the specifications are on par/better with its original specifications.   


Regards   

Charles

I agree. Do not alter the circuit. Just replace what TRUELY need to be replaced with exact spec components or closest value.

[clicks]

thanks again for the advice...will let my old man have a look ...he is a fundi at these things.....just need to know where i can buy quality components  from. i would like to keep it in its original form.