rapidronnie - ProductWiki

rapidronnie commented on McIntosh MC275 Amplifier

rapidronnie — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 12:36:17 -0400

June 1, 2008 at 12:36 pm

"Thanks for asking these questions. If you look at a schematic of the reissue of the MC275 you see there are only two and not three windings for the primary. The new transformers are an EI laminated unit and are wound by Schumacher on early ones and inhouse on later ones but they are NOT interchangeable and Mc will NOT sell the new one as a part because it won't fit the old ones. The originals are C-core wound using quad formvar wire for the primaries. Putting power tubes on pc bards is a proven principle for disaster as anyone who has had to work on modern guitar amplifiers can testify. ARC does this and they have had some massive failures too. That 90% of high end audio saloon products have went this way is a sign that cost cutting has put any consideration of longevity aside. PCB construction is only marginally compatible with vacuum tube circuits using any substantial voltages and currents."

rapidronnie commented on 4 items

rapidronnie — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 20:59:37 -0400

1. commented on Nikon D300 - August 25, 2007 at 8:59 pm

"Has anyone else figured out you don't need a 24x36 sensor because the 2:3 aspect ratio is not really needed? I'd be happy with 24 square, 24x30, or 24x32-or even 20x24."

2. commented on Apple Keyboard - August 25, 2007 at 8:56 pm

"I tried it and it's absolutely horrible for serious typing. It's probably the worst keyboard I've ever seen offered as a general purpose keyboard for personal computer use. And after the Amiga that takes some doing."

3. commented on Optimus 103 Keyboard - August 25, 2007 at 8:54 pm

"If it was $140 instead of $1400 I'd probably get one."

4. commented on Apple iMac - August 25, 2007 at 8:52 pm

"I just saw this over at a MicroCenter. It's sheer style over substance. The keyboard is terrible for use, and the all in one nature means you get rid of the whole thing when something goes bad or the CPU becomes obsolete. I still have a 17" CRT monitor that's ten years old which works fine and a keyboard originally off a IBM AT-it is probably close to twenty. If you want a Mac, the choice is between this, the iMac mini, or the stylish but overpriced tower. I find the difference between MacOS and Solaris, which is free, not worth the Apple hassle."

rapidronnie sent a message to rapidronnie

rapidronnie — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 20:51:52 -0400

August 16, 2007 at 8:51 pm

"I'll try to keep up......"

rapidronnie commented on 3 items

rapidronnie — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 20:49:17 -0400

1. commented on Nikon F6 - August 5, 2007 at 8:49 pm

"I'd rather have a F2 or F3 in excellent shape used than this camera. In my opinion the F4 was the best of the Nikon SLRs if you needed autofocus and the F2 or F3 (toss-up) if not. Then again 80% of my photography was with 2 1/4 TLRs or M Leicas."

2. commented on Behringer EP-2500 - August 5, 2007 at 8:39 pm

"Behringer products are usually a copy of someone else's work, and the product support and repair parts are nonexistent. This is a PA product that was probably originally a Crown or Yamaha, and for a PA amp it probably works pretty well, but the tradeoffs in these are way different than for serious home audio. I'd leave it where it belongs, a DJ setup or band PA."

3. commented on Tivoli Audio Music System - August 5, 2007 at 8:35 pm

"Sound quality is equal to or better than the Bose, but that isn't saying much. It's a very overpriced Style Guy product."

rapidronnie updated 3 products

rapidronnie — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 20:46:09 -0400

1. updated Samsung Digimax L85 - August 5, 2007 at 8:46 pm

agreed: "No anti-shake feature"
disagreed: "Attractive retro styling"

2. updated Tivoli Audio Music System - August 5, 2007 at 8:36 pm

agreed: "Doesn't sound as good as much as it costs"
agreed: "No HD radio, satellite radio, iPod dock, network streaming, or DVD playback"
agreed: "Very expensive for its feature-set"

3. updated McIntosh MC275 Amplifier - August 5, 2007 at 8:33 pm

new pro/con: Attractive cosmetics which should be more durable than original.

rapidronnie commented on McIntosh MC275 Amplifier

rapidronnie — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 03:36:30 -0400

August 5, 2007 at 3:36 am

"The original McIntosh 275 is the most desireable piece of vintage audio electronics originally available to consumers on the collector market today. Their value is substantially cosmetic and this unit should hold up much better than the original in terms of appearance, as it is stainless steel and is polished or quality triple-chromed (depending on version.) However, the circuit is simplified, the transformers are of a much less expensive construction method and the circuit is built substantially on one PCB, which has been proven troublesome in the past on guitar amplifiers and in Audio research and other very expensive high end amplifiers as well. Given the price of this unit I suggest spending a little more on a mint original, or a little less on a rusty one and having its chassis rechromed to CCCA standards by a automotive chrome shop."

rapidronnie updated McIntosh MC275 Amplifier

rapidronnie — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 03:31:05 -0400

August 5, 2007 at 3:31 am

new pro/con: Internal construction of much lesser quality than original, reminiscent of cheap Peavey/SLM guitar amplifiers. Circuit cheapened.

rapidronnie joined the site

rapidronnie — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 03:28:09 -0400

August 5, 2007 at 3:28 am