This listing is for a McIntosh Mac 1700 Tube/Solid State Hybrid FM Stereo Receiver Very Nice Condition. The receiver is in good working condition and sounds. Find great deals for Vintage McIntosh Mac 1700 MAC1700 Stereo Receiver. Shop with confidence on eBay!
Click to expand.I have not heard the Mac receivers you are referencing, but having owned a 2230 myself, and several vintage tube receivers, I will say that you will notice a significant difference in sound if you were to move from the Marantz to a Mac. Whether that's an upgrade or not would be for you to decide. Sorry, that's not much help.
My guess is most people would be happy with such a move as you'll get a more holographic, sweet, lifelike and warm sound. Others might prefer the 2230. At any rate, with those speakers (which I once had.congrats on those!), your turntable and phono stage you may want to consider a modern tube integrated (Primaluna? MAC 1500 was made in very small numbers, is not all tube. And costs high dollar. It has a tube tuner and power amplifier but a SS preamplifier.
The MAC 1700 is SS preamplifier, SS power amplifier, and tube tuner. The MAC 1900 is all SS. Volume and Balance pots must be original parts to perform right and be in top order. Balance pots unobtainable if yours has issues. I would recommend buying a MAC 4100 over either option. Better parts availability, more power, same or better sound, and holds value well.
The best receiver McIntosh built with all the right stuff. McIntosh MAC 1500 and 1700 are much more expensive to repair, especially the tuner section if it needs repair. MAC 1900 the minimum to consider. MAC 1500 was made in very small numbers, is not all tube. And costs high dollar. It has a tube tuner and power amplifier but a SS preamplifier. The MAC 1700 is SS preamplifier, SS power amplifier, and tube tuner.
The MAC 1900 is all SS. Volume and Balance pots must be original parts to perform right and be in top order. Balance pots unobtainable if yours has issues.
I would recommend buying a MAC 4100 over either option. Better parts availability, more power, same or better sound, and holds value well.
The best receiver McIntosh built with all the right stuff. McIntosh MAC 1500 and 1700 are much more expensive to repair, especially the tuner section if it needs repair. MAC 1900 the minimum to consider.
Description Stereo records sound better on a McIntosh. McIntosh famous flexibility has been designed in and all desirable control facilities have been incorporated. The MAC1700 wont go out of date because of a lack of flexibility. The preamplifier has 16 silicon planar transistors.
High thermal stability, low noise and superior high frequency response make the added cost of silicon planar transistors worth the investment. Low distortion and noise free reception from distant stations are the expected from a McIntosh. High sensitivity is the result of meticulous engineering and manufacturing superiority. Outstanding stereo tapes are made with the MAC1700. The multiplex decoder and SCA filters guarantee the absolute best in FM stereo. Two solid state 40 watt power amplifiers are the heart of the stereo instrument. Engineering innovation has again shown the way to McIntosh leadership in performance and protection.
The MAC1700 is fail safe, regardless of the speaker load. McIntosh believes in maximum return of your investment for a longer period of time. The sophisticated beauty arid the conservative appearance assures you that the styling is not dated.
Specifications Tuning range: FM Power output: 40 watts per channel into 8Ω (stereo) Frequency response: 20Hz to 20kHz Total harmonic distortion: 0.25% Damping factor: 100 Input sensitivity: 2.4mV (MM), 300mV (line) Signal to noise ratio: 76dB (MM), 75dB (line) Speaker load impedance: 4Ω to 8Ω Dimensions: 16 x 5.5 x 14.5 inches Weight: 34lbs Year: 1967 Downloads. Bought a 1700 a couple of months ago. I played around with some different speakers in order for it to sound as I would have expected. It does seem to have a unique sound.I mean that in a good way. Hooked up a pair of Canton Karat 30's. Although just a modest bookshelf speaker, they sounded really great and seemed to bring out the best in the Mac.
Not sure why, but the bass seemed better controlled and still punchy. The Cantons are 4 ohms, but the 1700 drove them effortlessly. I had tried Paradigm 7se' s and AR 4X's.
The Cantons sounded a fair amount better. If you like a laid back east coast sound, this receiver is for you. When I want something more forward, I run my Sansui 4000.