I'm currently using a Z series MX 110 that has been in my family for 60 years. Fully restored in near mint condition and is the most beautiful sounding of all the vintage Mac preamps. I'm also currently in the beginning stages of the resto on another MX 110 Z. Great units, wonderful tuner and phono sections. Featuring the original Mac loudness setting, a feature no preamp should be without. Thanks for showcasing this beautiful piece.
Thanks Fernando. I really enjoyed the format and the short description and features of each unit. I'm 67 and have been collecting Mac gear, along with my father who passed recently, for almost 60 of those years. I was happy to hear you agree with many of my opinions and feelings on many of the units you featured today. I also have an Ayre that I'm passing on to my son. Of all of them, the MX 110 is my favorite. I also had a Conrad Johnson CJ 12 that I sold to Stig, the owner of Lyra in Tokyo. He sent it off to be modified at a Pa firm and I understand it turned out phenomenal. Great job!!!!!!!
11:00 "sorry about the glare" NO that front panel is OH SO LOVELY, .....who am I trying to kid, this video is lovely from start to finish. Many many thanks for your time and effort putting this video together, also a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all at SkyFi Audio, all the love as alway from the UK.
I love the mx110. I have 2. One from my fathers collection and another bought from a collector recently. Beautiful. My wife calls the sound delicious! Very underrated by many but a great workhorse preamp and amazing phono section!
Nice price on the c2200. When you consider a c42 will run you the same money with a really nice phono section and tons of versatility not to mention tubes and meters. Beautiful!
Beautiful set! Spectral DMC6, DM= Demian Martin does have phono. He's here in Bay Area as he founded Spectral. As for the rest of the line up beautiful range of product!
I love ayer products. The levinson a little dry for my taste. I have 4 macs currently and that loudness function is wonderful for low level listening. C22 . favorite for sonics. C 52 for all around everything in one box. Being able to swap from mc240 to mono blocks depending on source and speakers is very helpful.
The controls on the Luxman are silky and really durable. Variable cartridge loading. And if you get a Luxman amp you can heat your house at the same time! Yet another advantage to vintage tube gear.
Thank you very much! That was a great video, very informative, & I appreciate all the information. It makes me want to know more about each piece, ie; production dates, etc. Would you mind telling me what specific feature I need to look for if I want a stereo pre-amp that is capable of home theater pass through? Does it just need to have multiple main outputs? The features that I have been seeking out thus far have been; balanced in & outs + a detachable power cord, separate & apart from home theater pass through, of course. I particularly liked that Audio Research piece that had the option to connect every source either balanced or single ended- sweet! My current pre-amp collection includes- a Pioneer Elite C-91, a Proceed PAV, and a Bryston SP 1.7. I also happen to own the tuner-only version of that Revox piece you showed. Thanks again, Fernando.
Tandberg 3000series (all units are serviced, except for one TPA-3003 Silver): TCA-3002 I've got three of this "Silver" version TCA-3002A I've got two of these - some difference from the first version, but still well worth collecting TCA-3008A I've got a couple, also a good pre TCA-3018A I've got three of these, one for each TPA-3016A and one spare TCA-3028A Also a decent pre, came without RIAA, my son in law has made RIAA for MM TCA-3031A Maybe the least popular, but I like it TCD-3004 Require a lot to keep in top condition, but absolutely worth collecting, I have one in mint condition TCD-3014 First version with silver front, I've got one with black front, - mint TCD-3014A I've got one, mint TCD-3034(A) Same as ITT-3020 - designed by Tandberg, but produced in Indonesia - not popular, but a good radio TCD-910 I'm the fortunate caretaker of one - mint TCD-911 I'm the fortunate caretaker of one - mint TCP-3015A I got two, recognized as the best CD-player from Tandberg TCP-3035A Got two of this one as well - both models struggle with brittle plastics in laser mount and more TIA-3012 Maybe the best integrated ever fro Tandberg, I've got one - sold one - black front - also available with silver front TIA-3012A I've got two TIA-3032A Not easy to find one, but I've got one in mint condition TPA-3003 Silver faced, I've got three of them TPA-3003A A newer version of 3003, I've got two, absolutely a collectors item TPA-3006A A newer version of 3003A, I've got two TPA-3009A Mono Blocks, I've got a pair, serviced a couple years ago TPA-3016A I've got two, serviced by one with more than 50years of Tandberg experience TPA-3026A I've got three, all of them serviced TPA-3036A First version, I've got two, serviced TPA-3036A MkII I've got three plus one "hybrid" - marked as MkI, but internals 100% MkII TPR-3030 An "Ugly Duckling" also called "Sølvsuper 13", not popular, but a good radio TPR-3080A Also a bit of an "Ugly Duckling", but maybe the best receiver ever made by Tandberg - I've got two, both serviced TPT-3001 I-ve got two, serviced a couple years ago, silver faced TPT-3001A I've got two, silver faced, serviced TPT-3011 Silver faced, I've got one TPT-3011A Black faced I've got two TPT-3031A Same tuner section as in TPR-3080, functions well, but not fully appreciated by collectors in Norway, I've got two Do you need service info or remotes? Contact Kjellby Electronics (in Norway) or message me
The AR-SP14 is my favorite of that collection. But I'm still using a personally rebuilt SONY TA-2000f. (with a redesigned/rebuilt line stage). My very first "hi-fi" speakers where Tandbergs. They had teak-wood cabinets and no grill cloth (combed out wood pattern instead) . They were great single driver speakers. Can't remember the model number but they were designed for low powered receivers and had an impedance of 6.8 ohms.
@@SkyFiAudio Well the TA2000f rebuild turned into a five year project (part time). I used a circuit simulator software and some design theory and a lot of tweaking. So it's something I would sell, but not just give away. But really its just a three stage textbook transistor line amp biased for use on a 36vdc supply. The rest is all tweaking and interfacing. Of course its all the tweaking that took most of the time. The goal was to surpass the low distortion and noise figures for 2000f at 5 volts out with 20db of gain. I got slightly lower thd, and much better transient response (than the original FETS) but I knocked the gain down to 18db.
@@SkyFiAudio i had a pair if the studio monitors. Fairly small but line all Tandberg very well built. I sold them to a young man in Finland. Great cassette decks too.
Oh..The Tandberg speakers I had where "budget" bookshelf speakers designed to be used with low power (30-60 watt) receivers. They were all teak-wood and a ribbed teak-wood face plate (no grill cloth!). They were of a larger bookshelf design (approx 12 * 30'') and probably came to market around 1968! Single driver configuration. The one thing I remember was the impedance number stamped on the back by the terminals. "6,8 ohms"
So many preamps you're calling them different brands by mistake! #heaven The only thing that could have made this video better, is if they had been turned on for a more exciting watch. A wonderfully fun video! 👌💯🎼✨
Any feedback on having a different pre-amp brand vs the amplifier? It’s hard for me to envision mixing the two. I do believe separate pre-amp and amp is the better way to go vs integrated.
compared to a modern high end dac with say a voltage based volume controll each of these dacs can only cause you to lose fidelity and snr , and anything added wil not be true to the signal , i havnt found a dac under 6 to 8 k that i could live with and im failing to see the point moving forward not running most amps dac direct, sure theres tone and other features but those are all minuses and substitutions,,, vintage good sounding but low resolution system sure nooooo problem and bi amping sure great idea but in a simple digital based modern system never its to bad because there are some great looking and well designed pieces out here , but if you ab tested you would know the truth fairly quickly
Fun video but lack of knowledge or careless on some items. The $4,495! McIntosh C42, while looking right at it, he says it has a 4-band equalizer when it clearly has an 8-band equalizer. Do your homework folks, he didn't.
You got that right. I just saw the Audio Research SP14 that their listing as slightly serviced?, rated 7 and no OBM for what it sold for new, (3000), I have purchased this Pre amp serveral years ago. It was listed as rated an 8 with new caps and OBM for 1300. BTW this pre usually goes anywhere from 1000-1400 on AudioMart and Audiogon. All I can think is the seller must have a very high overhead as items like the above are not rare and come up from time to time.
Our loyal clients don't mind paying extra for the quality of work and support. We don't try to compete with Audiomart, it would be silly. I appreciate that not everyone is the right client for us.
As someone who owned a Model 7, I totally agree. I bought mine for $200 in 1976. I replaced it with an Audio Research SP6B that was much superior. My Cary SLP05 is vastly better than both.
very nice walk-through & history of high fidelity preamps. your customers are clearly well-positioned & well cared-for.
I'm currently using a Z series MX 110 that has been in my family for 60 years. Fully restored in near mint condition and is the most beautiful sounding of all the vintage Mac preamps. I'm also currently in the beginning stages of the resto on another MX 110 Z. Great units, wonderful tuner and phono sections. Featuring the original Mac loudness setting, a feature no preamp should be without. Thanks for showcasing this beautiful piece.
That Ayre unit is one of the best-looking audio components I've ever seen.
I agree, technically it is a tour de force.
Absolutely. And they are just as beautifully designed and built inside. Crazy clean and uncluttered signal path.
@@michaelangelo1955 From what I've heard, the casing actually is carved out of a big block of aluminum.
Thanks Fernando. I really enjoyed the format and the short description and features of each unit. I'm 67 and have been collecting Mac gear, along with my father who passed recently, for almost 60 of those years. I was happy to hear you agree with many of my opinions and feelings on many of the units you featured today. I also have an Ayre that I'm passing on to my son. Of all of them, the MX 110 is my favorite. I also had a Conrad Johnson CJ 12 that I sold to Stig, the owner of Lyra in Tokyo. He sent it off to be modified at a Pa firm and I understand it turned out phenomenal.
Great job!!!!!!!
I'm a Mac guy all the way, however, I love the beauty, both inside and out of the Ayre.
11:00 "sorry about the glare" NO that front panel is OH SO LOVELY, .....who am I trying to kid, this video is lovely from start to finish. Many many thanks for your time and effort putting this video together, also a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all at SkyFi Audio, all the love as alway from the UK.
Love that C2200!!! ❤
if it is a rare item, SkyFi Audio has it 😁 good stuff as always
Thanks for your time, I appreciate it…💯✅
You bet
Wonderful and informative tour through the pre Amps.. I have been in market for a tube based piece and plan on reaching out ! Thanks
Amazing pieces there. Thanks for going through all those. Very interesting.
I love the mx110. I have 2. One from my fathers collection and another bought from a collector recently. Beautiful. My wife calls the sound delicious! Very underrated by many but a great workhorse preamp and amazing phono section!
Nice price on the c2200. When you consider a c42 will run you the same money with a really nice phono section and tons of versatility not to mention tubes and meters. Beautiful!
I really enjoyed this video. So many interesting pre amps.
Keep up the great work👍
C26 is a great entry level Mac preamp. I like these, sonically, over the c28 wny day.
Another great video and they are never too long
Beautiful set! Spectral DMC6, DM= Demian Martin does have phono. He's here in Bay Area as he founded Spectral. As for the rest of the line up beautiful range of product!
Beautiful stuff you have man!! 🔥🔥🔥
Thanks Johnson. Glad you liked it, be sure to subscribe pls.
Still watching two years later lol
Wow! What an amazing selection!!
Glad you enjoyed it.
I love ayer products. The levinson a little dry for my taste. I have 4 macs currently and that loudness function is wonderful for low level listening. C22 . favorite for sonics. C 52 for all around everything in one box. Being able to swap from mc240 to mono blocks depending on source and speakers is very helpful.
The controls on the Luxman are silky and really durable. Variable cartridge loading. And if you get a Luxman amp you can heat your house at the same time! Yet another advantage to vintage tube gear.
so wonderful 👍
Ohh my that's a nice video. Those krells are my next buy!!!
Do one with poweramps!!
Was thinking about it but thats a lot of heavy lifting :-).
@@SkyFiAudio Do it over two episodes :D
krell ayre pre amp looks stunning ..20 min 05 sec
Thank you very much! That was a great video, very informative, & I appreciate all the information. It makes me want to know more about each piece, ie; production dates, etc.
Would you mind telling me what specific feature I need to look for if I want a stereo pre-amp that is capable of home theater pass through? Does it just need to have multiple main outputs? The features that I have been seeking out thus far have been; balanced in & outs + a detachable power cord, separate & apart from home theater pass through, of course. I particularly liked that Audio Research piece that had the option to connect every source either balanced or single ended- sweet!
My current pre-amp collection includes- a Pioneer Elite C-91, a Proceed PAV, and a Bryston SP 1.7. I also happen to own the tuner-only version of that Revox piece you showed.
Thanks again, Fernando.
Love your video, very fun to watch
Glad you enjoyed it
Looking great keep up the great work!
Thanks, you too!
Revox pre,tuner was my dream pre in college,..😊
Mine too!
Congrats! A lot of lovely eye candy. I don't need the pricing details.
Why does that Mac C26 have speaker binding posts on the back of it? I'm perplexed... it does say preamp on the front...
You do know that there are some of us silently "crying" behind our screens right? Hahahahaha
Glad to hear and thanks for writing.
Tandberg 3000series (all units are serviced, except for one TPA-3003 Silver):
TCA-3002 I've got three of this "Silver" version
TCA-3002A I've got two of these - some difference from the first version, but still well worth collecting
TCA-3008A I've got a couple, also a good pre
TCA-3018A I've got three of these, one for each TPA-3016A and one spare
TCA-3028A Also a decent pre, came without RIAA, my son in law has made RIAA for MM
TCA-3031A Maybe the least popular, but I like it
TCD-3004 Require a lot to keep in top condition, but absolutely worth collecting, I have one in mint condition
TCD-3014 First version with silver front, I've got one with black front, - mint
TCD-3014A I've got one, mint
TCD-3034(A) Same as ITT-3020 - designed by Tandberg, but produced in Indonesia - not popular, but a good radio
TCD-910 I'm the fortunate caretaker of one - mint
TCD-911 I'm the fortunate caretaker of one - mint
TCP-3015A I got two, recognized as the best CD-player from Tandberg
TCP-3035A Got two of this one as well - both models struggle with brittle plastics in laser mount and more
TIA-3012 Maybe the best integrated ever fro Tandberg, I've got one - sold one - black front - also available with silver front
TIA-3012A I've got two
TIA-3032A Not easy to find one, but I've got one in mint condition
TPA-3003 Silver faced, I've got three of them
TPA-3003A A newer version of 3003, I've got two, absolutely a collectors item
TPA-3006A A newer version of 3003A, I've got two
TPA-3009A Mono Blocks, I've got a pair, serviced a couple years ago
TPA-3016A I've got two, serviced by one with more than 50years of Tandberg experience
TPA-3026A I've got three, all of them serviced
TPA-3036A First version, I've got two, serviced
TPA-3036A MkII I've got three plus one "hybrid" - marked as MkI, but internals 100% MkII
TPR-3030 An "Ugly Duckling" also called "Sølvsuper 13", not popular, but a good radio
TPR-3080A Also a bit of an "Ugly Duckling", but maybe the best receiver ever made by Tandberg - I've got two, both serviced
TPT-3001 I-ve got two, serviced a couple years ago, silver faced
TPT-3001A I've got two, silver faced, serviced
TPT-3011 Silver faced, I've got one
TPT-3011A Black faced I've got two
TPT-3031A Same tuner section as in TPR-3080, functions well, but not fully appreciated by collectors in Norway, I've got two
Do you need service info or remotes? Contact Kjellby Electronics (in Norway) or message me
The AR-SP14 is my favorite of that collection. But I'm still using a personally rebuilt SONY TA-2000f. (with a redesigned/rebuilt line stage).
My very first "hi-fi" speakers where Tandbergs. They had teak-wood cabinets and no grill cloth (combed out wood pattern instead) . They were great single driver speakers. Can't remember the model number but they were designed for low powered receivers and had an impedance of 6.8 ohms.
The TA2000F is a great piece, please share how you rebuilt it. Were the Tandbergs Studio Monitors? I have a set here.
@@SkyFiAudio Well the TA2000f rebuild turned into a five year project (part time). I used a circuit simulator software and some design theory and a lot of tweaking. So it's something I would sell, but not just give away. But really its just a three stage textbook transistor line amp biased for use on a 36vdc supply. The rest is all tweaking and interfacing. Of course its all the tweaking that took most of the time. The goal was to surpass the low distortion and noise figures for 2000f at 5 volts out with 20db of gain. I got slightly lower thd, and much better transient response (than the original FETS) but I knocked the gain down to 18db.
@@SkyFiAudio i had a pair if the studio monitors. Fairly small but line all Tandberg very well built. I sold them to a young man in Finland. Great cassette decks too.
Oh..The Tandberg speakers I had where "budget" bookshelf speakers designed to be used with low power (30-60 watt) receivers. They were all teak-wood and a ribbed teak-wood face plate (no grill cloth!). They were of a larger bookshelf design (approx 12 * 30'') and probably came to market around 1968! Single driver configuration. The one thing I remember was the impedance number stamped on the back by the terminals. "6,8 ohms"
So many preamps you're calling them
different brands by mistake! #heaven
The only thing that could have made this video better, is if they had been turned on for a more exciting watch. A wonderfully fun video!
👌💯🎼✨
Yes I noticed I call something a Krell when it wasn't. Sorry mate.
has anyone heard the Italian brand Pathos tube amps ?
Marantz 7c VS,Luxman CL35 III
Which one do you prefer? Thanks
I love your videos, introduce your dog in a future one!
What is the price on the Sony pre-amp only?????????
thx for the video.
No problem! We were trying something new, looks like decent views so we will do another withe speakers next.
Love the content
Glad you liked it BR>
I’d love to take both KBL preamps but you’re asking price is sort of high. I’ll call after thanksgiving to talk to you about them. Robert
We used to have the dual matching phono sections too but those sold.
Any feedback on having a different pre-amp brand vs the amplifier? It’s hard for me to envision mixing the two.
I do believe separate pre-amp and amp is the better way to go vs integrated.
No issue at all mixing different preamp and amplifier manufacturers.
Where are you located at
It's alright... the gold labeling on the left looks chincy and takes away from the otherwise solid look.
my experience Krell and ML are better than others.
Do you still have the Marantz 10B tuner - in case you may want to sell it - if it's not sold already.
Yes its here, give us a call.
compared to a modern high end dac with say a voltage based volume controll each of these dacs can only cause you to lose fidelity and snr , and anything added wil not be true to the signal , i havnt found a dac under 6 to 8 k that i could live with and im failing to see the point moving forward not running most amps dac direct, sure theres tone and other features but those are all minuses and substitutions,,, vintage good sounding but low resolution system sure nooooo problem and bi amping sure great idea but in a simple digital based modern system never
its to bad because there are some great looking and well designed pieces out here , but if you ab tested you would know the truth fairly quickly
Will you trade my Sony PS5 for the Sony preamp?
Good one.
That looks like my ayre🤣
Fun video but lack of knowledge or careless on some items. The $4,495! McIntosh C42, while looking right at it, he says it has a 4-band equalizer when it clearly has an 8-band equalizer. Do your homework folks, he didn't.
Where is this place? 😆
Glen Rock NJ
Very nice stuff BUT WAY WAY OUT OF MY PRICE RANGE !!!!!!
You got that right. I just saw the Audio Research SP14 that
their listing as slightly serviced?, rated 7 and no OBM for what it sold for new, (3000), I have purchased this Pre amp serveral years ago. It was listed as rated an 8 with new caps and OBM for 1300. BTW this pre usually goes anywhere from 1000-1400 on AudioMart and Audiogon. All I can think is the seller must have a very high overhead as items like the above are not rare and come up from time to time.
Our loyal clients don't mind paying extra for the quality of work and support. We don't try to compete with Audiomart, it would be silly. I appreciate that not everyone is the right client for us.
@@SkyFiAudio true. Trust and quality on vintage
$10,000 for the 7C is $5,000 too much!!! NEXT!!!
As someone who owned a Model 7, I totally agree. I bought mine for $200 in 1976. I replaced it with an Audio Research SP6B that was much superior. My Cary SLP05 is vastly better than both.
You had that in college?..where did you go?HARVERD