McIntosh ma6100 pwr trans. shorted - how to test a used one

[peterzana]

Hi all,
Newbie to the forums apologize for this thread if it's a dup but I used the search engine here and didn't find what I needed... so here goes.

I took ownership of a 'dead' pre/power amp (McIntosh ma6100) but ListenUp Audio tells me the power transformer is shorted and needs replacement. I see one on ebay for cheap but the seller doesn't know how to verify it works. Anyone here have a quick test (other than turning the amp on, because it came from another dead 6100 for which the seller doesn't know what was causing it's fault) Like using a multimeter, or something else.

Also, besides audioclassics having NOS power transformer, could I use the guys in Wauwatosa WI (audio transformers) to wind me another one? How much should I expect to pay?

thanks for any thoughts, help on this. I really would like to get more life out of this 6100 but don't have a lot of cash to put into it. Please save it from going to parts!
peter

 

[majorloser]

Might want to send a PM to highfihoney. He's our local Mac man.

 

[Haoleb]

To test a transformer you basically put a multimeter on the the leads and measure resistance. The exact resistance will vary depending on the amount of turns and the wire's gauge. You would need to contact someone who knows these amps inside and out or mcintosh themselves to see what exactly you should be measuring. If you measure continuity between the primary and secondary winding its shorted for sure. But you can also have shorts between wires in either winding which would also be a problem.

You certainly could get a transformer wound or buy one off the shelf that has the proper specs. If you were talking output transformers though I would stick to the factory mcintosh autoformer to ensure you would have the same sound and performance. Transformers rarely fail so there may be a good chance the one on ebay is fine but I had worked on a MC240 in the past that had a bad transformer so it does happen.

 

[highfihoney]

As was allready pointed out getting an xformer wound is possible but going back with OEM Mcintosh parts is the best idea.

You mentioned not wanting to sink a load of cash into the unit,why not just sell it on ebay as a parts unit,repairing the unit will not be cheap ,even in top notch working condition the Ma-6100 is only worth about $500,thats if everything works perfectly & there are no scratches on the unit.

For the money you'll have to invest you can get a much better & more powerfull peice of gear,the Ma-6100 is only 70 wpc & has never had a huge following.

 

[peterzana]

how much are parts worth?

To HighFiHoney,
I hear you on the value of the used ma6100, haven't heard one myself but I can tell it won't be unmatchable given the 'reasonable' price people are asking for them used. $400 for an office integrated amp is more than I care to spend.

But to part out the amp? There's a used xformer on ebay for the 6100 at $50 + shipping. Just can't get an answer on if it works from the seller - hmmmm...
If it did I could probably get the rig up and running for under $150 which seems reasonable, if only to pair it nicely in its cab with the MR74 tuner (mint) that I also have.

So how much could I expect to get for the amp's parts? Do I sell it 'as is' or do I take it apart and really sell the parts individually? Oh and if anyone's reading this and interested I also have a pair of the ML-C1's (speakers) that I plan on selling as well.

thanks again for your thoughts you guys. I'll update the thread when action has been taken.

take care
peter

 

[highfihoney]

To HighFiHoney,
I hear you on the value of the used ma6100, haven't heard one myself but I can tell it won't be unmatchable given the 'reasonable' price people are asking for them used. $400 for an office integrated amp is more than I care to spend.

But to part out the amp? There's a used xformer on ebay for the 6100 at $50 + shipping. Just can't get an answer on if it works from the seller - hmmmm...
If it did I could probably get the rig up and running for under $150 which seems reasonable, if only to pair it nicely in its cab with the MR74 tuner (mint) that I also have.

So how much could I expect to get for the amp's parts? Do I sell it 'as is' or do I take it apart and really sell the parts individually? Oh and if anyone's reading this and interested I also have a pair of the ML-C1's (speakers) that I plan on selling as well.

thanks again for your thoughts you guys. I'll update the thread when action has been taken.

take care
peter

I think you meant ML-1C fopr the speakers.

Anyways look at this from an ebay perspective,the perspective of an experienced buyer & seller,ANY SELLER with enough ebay experience to determine the value of a Mac xformer will most likely have the ability to determine its condition,any buyer who has been on ebay long enough knows not to trust things that are not assured to work.

Sellers exceuses like these below are warning signs.

Couldnt test because the cord has been cut.

Couldnt test because i dont have any speakers.

Couldnt test because i dont know anything about stereos.

Found it in a box of other stuff i bought.

Belonged to my grandfather.

The power light comes on & thats as far as i tested it.

I say bulls#!t to all these excuses,each time i see that any Mcintosh item has not been tested i know its blown up beyond what repair costs would be still allowing to stay within resale value.

If that xformer was any good the seller would not sell it for $50,on top of that dont think your the 1st person to see the ad,Mcintosh has a massive following of resellers who will buy anything made by Mcintosh in order to resell at a profit,ask yourself why none of the experienced resellers or (traders) have jumped on this xformer at such a low price,because its no good & the seller knows it.

As for parting out your unit,unless you can verify that every last component within the intergrated is in working order its better to just sell the whole thing in one shot,you could possibly get around $200 for a parts unit to a tech who buys dead gear then resells it after he fixes it.

I hear ya on wanting to keep the Mac but i cant see it being a cost effective approach to getting into a Mac unit.