MX130 - any ideas?

[Citroen]

Current market price for the original version, with stereo balanced outs?

Mk 1 - with 8 preset stations. Is this software upgradeable to the 50 preset station version?

[Blueoak]

Best advice here: stay away, don't buy MX series junk.

[Citroen]

Why not Blueoak?

I mainly want it for the tuner, and as additional input connector.

[jdcarlson]

I have an MX130 and love it. The early MXs(118, 130, etc) were initially made to be video control units - but their video is all analog (S Video, Composite, Component). Just forget the video stuff and look at it as an audio piece. It is the same as the C39 Preamp (rated "Class B" by Stereophile at a time when they did not have much good to say about anything from McIntosh) with the tuner module added (I am not sure if it was from the MR 7033 or MR7034).
As an audio unit, short of a rack mounted patch panel, it is the MOST flexible control unit I know of. There are 12 inputs that you can route to any of four tape decks (by using the VCR inputs as audio tape inputs). It has two selector switches on the front panel. You can run two jobs simultaneously. I digitized 200 LPs to 192k/24bit while my wife was listening to Oprah and Dr. Phil on the TV, with both signals going through the MX130 with absolutely NO crosstalk.
My unit is one of the older ones with balanced outputs for the front two channels. When digital came along, McIntosh made the MAC-3 to take a toslink digital signal and turn it into 5.1 surround sound. To get the 5.1 outputs from the MAC-3 into the MX0130, they had to cover up the balanced connectors on the back for for the extra rca jacks.
However, the MX-130 will simulate 5.1 surround sound from an analog stereo input, so not all is lost.
There are a few units (mine is one) where the owner went in and installed a DIN plug to get the 5.1 input into the MX-130 without covering up the balanced outputs for the front channels. If you get one of these, check the power supply out VERY carefully. I had to have some capacitors upgraded on mine, but since then it has worked flawlessly.
If your unit only has provision for eight FM presets, I do not know of a "firmware" upgrade to fix that. I have an MS300 feeding mine, and I only listen to two FM stations, so not having the extra presets is not a problem.
To me the MX-130 us the MOST UNDERrated uinit McIntosh has made. It is a fantastic preamp, with a good tuner module. Just forget the video junk and relish the audio flexibility.
Also, it is old enough that each switch has a SINGLE function. None of this "getting lost in the menu" to find what you need.

[W9TR]

Citroen,
You should be able to pick up an MX 130 for less than a grand. That's a good deal for a decent tuner, preamp, and all the switching you'll ever want, all in one easy to use box.
Happy hunting!
Tom

[Citroen]

It sold for NZD2120 or about US$1500 in the end on the NZ equivalent of ebay, almost double my budget for a tuner + extra inputs.

Oh well, nevermind...

[W9TR]

Audio Classics in the US routinely ships overseas. Not sure if shipping and duty would make that a problem, but many international members here on AA buy from them.

[vintage_tube]

Originally Posted by W9TR

Audio Classics in the US routinely ships overseas. Not sure if shipping and duty would make that a problem, but many international members here on AA buy from them.

2d that what Tom mentioned -- a quick look at AC's stock --

Grade: B1: 1399.00 EA
Physical: Some light scratches - Excellent Condition
Electrical: Meets or exceeds original specs, all functions operate
Comments: Performance Certified by Audio Classics, DEP Call to order


Grade: C2: 999.00 EA
Physical: Some scratches or nicks, light oxidation - Good Condition
Electrical: Meets original specs, noisy worn controls
Comments: with THX, bubbled glass.
Call for availability

McIntosh Etc. 016-113
MX113 Outer Glass Original List Price: 130.00 EA


Best Sir,

Bob

[Citroen]

Those prices, exchange rate, duty plus taxes, inspection fees plus shipping, and the fact that the power supply is different downunder, and that local price of NZ2120 is starting to look very favourable!