McIntosh MAC4300V Receiver

[jdandy]

In 1988 I purchase my McIntosh MAC4300V receiver brand new from a Miami, Florida dealer. For the past 26 years this wonderful 100 watt per channel receiver has served me well in a number of different applications. Initially I used it in my travel trailer with JBL 4312A speakers. I used my travel trailer as a home base whenever my projects took me out of state. My Holiday Rambler travel trailer is far more comfortable and home like than any motel.

I also used the 4300V as the backbone of my office system with B&W speakers and a Velodyne subwoofer for a short time. Now the McIntosh 4300V sits on top of a lawyers bookcase in the dinning room and powers a pair of Niles OS 7.5 speakers on my outside elevated deck. I use a pair of interconnects from my living room system McIntosh C2300 line level outputs to feed the 4300V receiver. This gives me the option to listen outside to whatever is on in the living room or use the 4300V's tuner independent of what's on in the house. This arrangement also allows me to have independent volume control of the deck speakers irrespective of the C2300's volume setting.

After all these years the McIntosh 4300V has only needed service once when the FM tuning buttons were misbehaving and the tuner would fail to stop on any stations unless I manually dialed them in with the tuning knob. This was 12 years or so ago. I packed up the receiver, shipped it to Binghamton, and a month later she was back home as good as new. Two buttons were replaced and an FM tuner alignment were done. Now this beautiful 4300V is heading toward being 27 years old and still performing flawlessly. The 100 watts per channel still cranks out the music and sounds great doing it. Naturally I have cared for this receiver like the loved one it is and she still looks brand new.

Seems I remember there are a few MAC4300V owners here. Tell us your story if you'd like. If you are looking for a vintage receiver that stands up to modern day performance, I can recommend this vintage McIntosh receiver. Don't hesitate to pick up a 4300V if your looking for a great receiver. It is reliable, looks good even by todays standards, and best of all it sounds excellent. I love the variable loudness compensation control, too. I wish McIntosh had not abandoned that function in their components.

Here's a few photos of my beloved McIntosh receiver.

[62caddy]

Thanks for the story Dan. Your pictures bring back memories.


Other than a rescinded transaction involving the purchase of a MAC 4100 that had not been described properly, my McIntosh ownership officially began with a MAC 4300V.

I had decided the 4300 would better serve my needs than the 4100 and the reviews had been extremely positive when the search began for the "right" one. When it appeared, I could not have been more ecstatic: A one owner since new with every bit of paperwork and documentation including original receipt, original packaging right down to the desiccant pouch, and of course in mint condition which was mandatory.

Remote was present of course - still in its own box. (You would be surprised at how many I had looked at that did not have their remotes!)

As soon as I set it up it was obvious the tuner section was in dire need of alignment (for which I was able to get a partial refund from the seller, thankfully). Otherwise it seemed up to snuff. A trip to Audio Classics service department restored the entire unit to spec.

I used my MAC 4300 for another two years and could not have been more happy with it. I later added two outboard McIntosh amplifiers fed by the MAC 4300's preamplifier output jacks which, on the 4300 do not require external jumpers which was a tremendous convenience, allowing the use of the MAC's internal amplifier.

It is really a fine unit in all ways, every bit as worthy of the McIntosh name as anything else. Excellent sonics, quiet phono stage with respectable good tuner section. I later found out that the MAC 4300V is the combination of MR 7082 tuner, C 31V preamplifier and MC 754 amplifier - which I later learned had been a favorite of Dave O'Brien's.

Only criticism is the push button volume control which I had positively swore off against another after previously having owned another unit with it. However, I figured I'd be using the remote 90% of the time to control the volume so it was essentially a non-issue.

Eventually I felt it time to progress with my journey and go with all separates and sold my MAC 4300 - with minimal loss, I'm happy to say.

I have a pretty full herd of McIntosh now but I would take another MAC 4300 in a minute if the need for a receiver ever arose again.

**Shortly after I sold the MAC, another MAC 4300V appeared on eBay - being offered by Audio Classics on behalf of a McIntosh employee who - get this - purchased it new and NEVER OPENED THE BOX!

It was sold for $2,200. I probably should have grabbed it.

[Jerome W]

Superb unit Dan !

I love the concept of a receiver.

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by 62caddy

Thanks for the story Dan. Your pictures bring back memories.

**Shortly after I sold the MAC, another MAC 4300V appeared on eBay - being offered by Audio Classics on behalf of a McIntosh employee who - get this - purchased it new and NEVER OPENED THE BOX!

It was sold for $2,200. I probably should have grabbed it.

Eric.......That was a good deal for a BNIB McIntosh MAC4300V receiver. I paid $3000.00 for mine in 1988. I see used MAC4300V's selling from $1250 to $1600 depending on their condition. I don't think I will ever sell mine.

[62caddy]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Eric.......That was a good deal for a BNIB McIntosh MAC4300V receiver. I paid $3000.00 for mine in 1988. I see used MAC4300V's selling from $1250 to $1600 depending on their condition. I don't think I will ever sell mine.

I agree.

I daresay $3,000 in 1988 is triple the value of $2,200 in 2012, perhaps even more. Yours is a beauty and I hope you will enjoy it for another 25 years!

Whenever a beginner indicates an interest in McIntosh who is also on a budget, I always recommend the MAC 4100/4200/4300.

I feel they are among the best values to be had in used McIntosh.

[jdandy]

Eric.......You are right. The MAC receivers are a great way to enter the McIntosh clubhouse.

I have no need for another McIntosh receiver but I have my eye constantly peeled for a MAC4100 receiver. I like everything about it, especially the tuner section and analog dial. One of these days I am going to spring for it when I find a super clean one.

[Alberto]

It's a beauty, I've been keeping my eyes open for one on Craigslist ... and almost had one a few months ago. A nice addition to my fledgeling vintage McIntosh collection (MC250, Mac1700, C34V, MR80).

100 McIntosh watts + 5-band EQ (!)+ Variable Loudness (!!!) and look at all those juicy discrete components and boards ... they don't build them like they used to.

Thanks for sharing Dan,

Alberto

[tweet]

Dan... Your McIntosh MAC4300V is a beauty! Thanks for sharing your history with that fine component. Great story. It looks brand new in the photos.

[jdandy]

Terry.......Thank you. The MAC4300V looks brand new standing right in front of it, too. One day or 26+ years, I take care of my gear.

[htradtk]

Great looking receiver! Goes to show the built quality of McIntosh and how they stand by their products! Is that one of the first MAC receivers with a CD input?

Henry