MR 85-a good tuner?

[Volks]

I have a chance to buy a Mcintosh MR 85 in mint shape for $1500.........would anyone like to share their views-opinions about this tuner? please

[Formerly YB-2]

It has been panned on the TIC due to the poor chipset used. Have forgotten the details, but the TM-2 module suffers from the same thing.

[MC352]

I have one. It isn't the strongest receiver of weak signals, but the audio quality is very nice.

With a decent antenna, you should be fine.

I will say though, if I had a 2nd chance to re think that purchase, I would have picked up a nice used, modified MR78.

[jdandy]

Volks.......My MR85 is an enjoyable tuner. I use an outside antenna with it, and have no problem receiving stations that are 50 miles away. It sounds very good, and looks great in my rack with the other McIntosh gear. At one point I owned two MR85 tuners, one for upstairs and one for downstairs in the studio system, but I sold one because I never listened to the tuner in the studio. I also owned the new MR88 tuner, but I sold it because I have no HD FM in my rural area, and I decided I didn't want to subscribe to XM. The MR85 sounds as good as the new MR88.

[MC352]

If you want to learn a lot about tuners, there is a pretty good Tuner group on Yahoo Groups called FMTuners.

Lots of folks who are really into tuners there.

[Formerly YB-2]

Originally Posted by MC352

I will say though, if I had a 2nd chance to re think that purchase, I would have picked up a nice used, modified MR78.

MR65B thru MR80 refurb'd by Terry DeWick or AC is the way to go for a McIntosh tuner. At some point I will try an MR88, but am opposed to HD radio, so it will be a while.

[Rilands]

I owned one, reception sucked. I live in a hilly area and was told this was a common problem with FM reception in my area and I would need to put a good quality antenna on my roof. Funny, my Bose wave radio picks everything up beautiful with no antenna.
Sold it.

[Volks]

Wow...quite a few strong diff opinions here.....Thank you everyone

[Volks]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Volks.......My MR85 is an enjoyable tuner. I use an outside antenna with it, and have no problem receiving stations that are 50 miles away. It sounds very good, and looks great in my rack with the other McIntosh gear. At one point I owned two MR85 tuners, one for upstairs and one for downstairs in the studio system, but I sold one because I never listened to the tuner in the studio. I also owned the new MR88 tuner, but I sold it because I have no HD FM in my rural area, and I decided I didn't want to subscribe to XM. The MR85 sounds as good as the new MR88.

Jdandy.................do You think its worth $1500(Mint Shape)?

[Rilands]

Originally Posted by Volks

Jdandy.................do You think its worth $1500(Mint Shape)?

1500. Seems a little high. Audiogon bluebook average is 1310.00. The last two sold in the 1100.00 price range.