| [ Mcintosh MX-110 ] |
Technical specificactions
Some years ago I bought a Mcintosh MC 240 power amplifier that you can see in this website. After some years of waiting and patience (very important for this hobby) I have bought a partner for this power amp, a Mcintosh MX-110 preamp-tuner. Among all the equipment I have considered to partner with this amplifier I believe that the MX-110 is the most balanced. The MX-110 is, more or less, a C20 preamp combined with a MR67 tuner in a single chassis and, although it is not as famous as the C22 preamp or the MR71 tuner (speaking only about tube equipment), I can say that it is an excellent performer.
The MX-110 is, in addition, the only tube preamp-tuner combination model built by Mcintosh during the 1960s. All the following models were solid state desings and if you wanted to have tube equipment you have to select separated preamps and tuners. The MX-110 was built between 1962-1969 and it suffered several design modifications until the last series named Z, of which this unit is an example. In the internet you can find a lot of information about this preamplifier but the best sites are Roger Russell's web site or Berner's Mcintosh Information Site.
The unit I have bought comes from Lorenzo Barrientos who has decided to sell it. Lorenzo is a great audiophile that I first met when I bought the unit from him. Some years ago Lorenzo also wrote an article for this site about the Mentmore TVA-1. The end of the road power amplifier. The unit is in good condition. The interior looks good with all lettering intact and only some small signs of rust. The electronic circuit has some caps modified. The front glass is good but the aluminium front panel has some letters erased, something that can be solved with some skills and patience. At Lorenzo's home I listened briefly to the MX-110 partnered with a MC240 power amp and a pair of Advent speakers. This first impressions were good but I will wait to give my final opinion after more listenings. Since I put my hands on the unit I have done a general conditioning of the system (cleaning chromed surfaces, cleaning pots, etc). The unit came with an original L12 cabinet. Now, some pictures of my new MX-110.
