An MR77 in the house
 

A McIntosh MR77 I'd ordered from Audio Classics arrived late this morning and was put immediately to work in place of a Marantz ST6000 in my primary system. Coupled to a roof-mounted Winegard HD6055P yagi and rotor since Tuesday, the 6000 had done an excellent job of snagging stations in Eugene, OR, about 40 miles from where I live, and a good job capturing a full-time jazz station in stereo in narrow IF mode in Gresham, about 70 air miles in the opposite direction despite having to contend with tall trees and hilly neighborhood country. If the MR77 worked out, the 6000 would head for the bedroom system.

I let the 77 settle in for about an hour's "on" time before commencing critical listening, starting with a classical and then a community college station in Eugene. Immediately apparent was a richer, "fuller" sonic presentation that rendered the ST6000's "electronic" by comparison. Time for a sterner test. I swung the yagi northward and tuned to 89.1 in Gresham. After a little fine tuning of the antenna's position, I got fully separated (and full-bodied) stereo without any hashy artifacts without engaging the 77's stereo filter. Nice.

Yep, the 6000's already in the bedroom.

Jim.......Very good to hear. I use an MR74 in my studio system, and an MR85 in y main system. Both tuners exceed the performance of several other tuners I own by a wide margin. The MR77 deserves a walnut cabinet. :yes:

Happy listening.

Dan...I'm with you on the cabinet for the 77. Though I may build an oak one for it.

Jim.......Here's a photo of my MR74.


http://i453.photobucket.com/albums/q...nutCabinet.jpg

Very nice, Dan. Elegant.

Congrats !

The MR77 is a wonderful tuner. It has an incredible rich and analog sound.
Mine was made in 1972, my birth year. And it is in better shape than me !:D

Jim.......Here is the McIntosh cabinet designation you will need for your MR77 should you choose to try and find one.

> L12 Walnut veneer cabinet, for narrow chassis 5-7/16 high front panel, with wood wedge feet, fits same models as L52A. Used originally with MR67, MR71, MR73, MR77, MI3, C22, C24, C26, C28, MC2505, MX110, MX112.


http://audioaficionado.org/attachmen..._cabinet_2.jpg

Thanks, Jerome. You certainly have the 77's sonic signature pegged, based on what I've heard over the last several hours. Warm and rich and at the same time able to convey detail. I'm a happy camper.

Thanks, Dan. You've simplified my search immeasurably. Much appreciated.

Congrats Jim, and welcome to AA! I own an MR77, MR78, and an MR80. I love all three of them. Here's some pics of mine:

http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/w...DSCF9136-1.jpg

MR77


http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/w...0/DSCF9204.jpg

MR78


http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/w...DSCF9140-1.jpg


MR80


I have no doubt you enjoy your MR77 for a long time. I agree with Dan, it deserves a walnut cabinet-whether it be the slant leg (L12) or with the standard feet (L52). I need some more cabinets myself-I used to have one on my MR78 but I swiped that one to use on another component.


Pete