SEPARATES / COMPONENTS (this page is being constructed daily)

McIntosh C33

preamp / EQ / compander / *integrated amp ('81-'85) $2500

In superior cosmetic and operating condition, this beautiful McIntosh C-33 stereo preamp / EQ / compander has been very recently disassembled for a deep dive bench servicing and thorough testing. All switches, knobs, inputs, outputs, lamps, etc are 100% fully functional.
The C33 features the well known McIntosh anodized gold and black front panel and comes with the McIntosh factory L-12 slant Panlock walnut case. The front glass has no bubbles or damage of any kind. The walnut case is pristine. Also included is a new (sealed) full recap kit and owner's manual. This unit has not been recapped nor, in our opinion, does it need to be at the time of testing. During its production run the MSRP was $2795.

During servicing, particular attention was applied to the sections that requires removal of their respective covers It was then reassembled and fully tested with and without a separate amplifier. The interior build of the C33 is typical of the highest quality components that McIntosh is so well known for. As a result of that build quality, most McIntosh owners will tell you that properly operating and never abused McIntoshamps, preamps, tuners, and CD players were purposely built to perform to factory specs without issues for many, many decades,

*It should be mentioned that even though the C33's primary purpose is to be a preamp, the built-in monitor amplifier can also be used to drive speakers. This eliminates the need for a separate stereo monitor amplifier. This is a high quality, low distortion amplifier designed in the best McIntosh tradition. Output power is rated a conservative 20 wpc but is usually good for a bit under 30 wpc while meeting / exceeding THD specs.
This monitor amp can drive speakers and headphones or provide a low impedance line output. We tested it with a pair of very high quality Dali Spektor 2 speakers (6 ohm / 84.5dB sensitivity) and found it had more than sufficient power and then some.

There's just way too many features and controls to list here. However, among those many features and controls available on the C33, one of the more convenient ones would be the ability to use your turntable as a power switch to turn your entire system on or off. Because the C33 is a McIntosh legacy product, there is a ton of information available online from owners, techs and the McIntosh website itself.

NOTE: The legacy section of the McIntosh website offers a detailed description of the C-33 here: https://www.mcintoshlabs.com/legacy-products/preamplifiers/C33

Basic specs:
Frequency response: 20Hz to 20kHz
THD: 0.01%
Dimensions: 17"W x 13 5/8"D x 7"H
Weight: 47 lbs (including wood case)

About McIntosh...
Founded in 1949, McIntosh is known for offering distinguished home audio systems that deliver the ultimate experience in music and film. Offering products for two-channel stereo sound systems and multi-channel home theaters with surround sound, McIntosh continues to define the ultimate home audio entertainment experience for discriminating listeners around the world. Their iconic blue watt output meter is globally recognized as a symbol of quality home audio.
McIntosh products are designed and handcrafted at their Binghamton, NY factory by dedicated employees who share a passion for music and the McIntosh heritage. Since their inception, McIntosh has been powering some of the most important moments in music history and pop culture. From President Lyndon Johnson's inauguration speech to Woodstock to the famous Grateful Dead "Wall of Sound," McIntosh has not only witnessed history, they have shaped it.

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Acoustat Trans Nova Twin 200

Acoustat Trans Nova Twin 200 (shown with Yamaha C2 preamp - not included)

amp (early 80's) 200 WPC $750

In pristine cosmetic condition, fully serviced and tested, this Acoustat Twin 200 stereo amplifier underwent a thorough bench servicing that included the tricky bias adjustment. Main cap values are well within original values; the interior of the unit is super clean as well. The amp had previously been used very sparingly by the original owner.
This powerful amplifier delivers just over 200 watts per channel over the entire range of audio frequencies from 20 Hz to 20 kHz for its rated harmonic distortion level of 0.1%.

(NOTE: the following technical description was provided by Gamma Electronics:
https://www.gammaelectronics.xyz/audio_03-1983_acoustat.html

The front panel is totally devoid of any controls, with the exception of its rocker-type power on/off switch. A rather prominent nameplate identifies the maker and the product. As for the rear panel, most of it is taken up with a massive heat sink, but there is just enough room at either end to accommodate color-coded, five-way output binding posts and an input jack for each channel. This sort of channel isolation is carried on inside the chassis as well, with completely separate modules housing the parts for each channel. Six fuses are located internally (four d.c. supply-voltage line fuses and two a.c. line fuses). The TNT-200 uses four completely separated bilateral power supplies and a twin-core, quasi-toroidal power transformer with parallel primaries.

"Trans-Nova" is an acronym for "Trans-conductance Nodal Voltage Amplifier." Most power amplifier output stages are typically configured either as voltage followers or as transconductance stages (common in tube-type amplifiers). When Acoustat decided to design an amplifier employing MOS-FETs as power output devices, they found that neither of these basic configurations was well suited to such ICs.

Basic specs:
Power output: 200 watts per channel into 8Ω (stereo)
Frequency response: 20Hz to 20kHz
THD: 0.1%
Impedance: 4 ohms (minimum)
Power Consumption: 100 watts idling, 750 watts at rated power.
Weight: 40 lbs
Dimensions: 17.5"W x 14"D x 5.5"H

About Acoustat...
Acoustat was an American company known for its full range electrostatic speakers that began its research in the early 1970s and introduced its first commercial model, the Model X, in 1976-77. After pioneering advances in electrostatic technology and achieving critical acclaim, the company filed bankruptcy in 1984 and was subsequently bought by David Hafler. The brand's history is marked by innovation in electrostatic panel design and amplifiers, leading to a loyal following among audiophiles and recording studios before its acquisition and subsequent market disappearance in the U.S. in the early '90s.

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Technics set

Technics SU-7100 / ST-7300

integrated amp ('78-'79) 35 WPC and stereo tuner $600 / sold as set only

In pristine cosmetic condition, fully serviced and fully operational, this matched pair of the Technics SU-7100 integrated amp and ST-7300 stereo tuner feature a simple, minimalist design that is aesthetically pleasing.

Adding to their already unique cosmetic design,each of these components feature a custom-built, solid walnut case. Each of the original decaying vinyl wrapped cases were discarded and replaced with these absolutely stunning, slightly larger professionally designed cases resembling the unique "Marantz-style" wood case.

The SU-7100 & ST-7300 feature simple, minimalist designs that are aesthetically pleasing. They are solid, well-built units, characteristic of Technics' reputation for quality and craftsmanship.

However, for those that only go by power output (which is important) don't let the 35 watts per channel fool you. The SU-7100 punches above its rated power and has no problem driving difficult 4 ohm speakers.
NOTE: regardless of the frenzied pursuit of power ratings during the 70's, the "average" stereo receivers sold at the time were right at about 35 watts per channel. Massive amps

Basic specs (amp):
Power output: minmum 35 watts per channel into 8Ω (stereo)
Frequency response: 20Hz to 20kHz
THD: 0.1%
Minimum speaker load impedance: 4 ohms
Dimensions: 17"W x 6"H x 13"D
Weight: 16 lbs (including wood case)

About TECHNICS / MATSUSHITA / PANASONIC...
Founded in the 1920's, the huge Japanese conglomerate Matsushita had interests in many electronics companies. The most well known would be Technics and Panasonic. Technics was introduced as a brand name for premium loudspeakers marketed domestically by Matsushita in 1965. Eventually, Technics became a premium brand bringing classics like the SL-1200mkii turntable and the absolute monster receiver at the top of the list: Technics SA-1000 (330 watts per channel)

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(top) Tandberg TCA-3002 (bottom) TPT-3001

Tandberg TPA-3003

Tandberg set

Tandberg 3001, 3002 & 3003

TCA-3002 control amp / preamp (1980) $1500 / sold as set only
TPA-3003 power amp (1980) 150 WPC
TPT-3001 FM tuner (1980)

In excellent cosmetic condition, this set of premium Tandberg components have been thoroughly bench serviced, fully tested and are fully operational. They are being offered as a 3-piece set only. The rated power of the 3003 amp is a minimum 300 watts per channel into 4 ohms.

These fine components were all designed and built in Norway using the best components and engineering available at the time.

According to Tandberg, the philosophy behind the TPA-3003 amp was to create a power amplifier using advanced technology and make a product with the utmost performance: small in size, but big enough in power to drive any high quality speaker system.

This amplifier was designed to reproduce very rapid signals, or even transients without any form of deterioration.

The cooling system developed for the TPA 3003 is shaped to give fast circulation of air to the output transistors. The high efficiency attained is also reflected in the low temperature achieved on external parts even when the amplifier is driven at high output power.

The TPA 3003 contains 5 different protection circuits. The main protection circuits are: Protection at speaker loads lower than 2 ohms, inclusive short-circuiting of speaker terminals, Speaker protection circuit, Protection of output and driver transistors against flashback from inductive speaker load.

To ensure that the amplifier always operates within its limits, two LEDs mounted on the front indicate when the output is overloaded or when a high input voltage causes the amplifier to operate above its power supply limits.

The mains transformer which is a toroidal type has very low height, high efficiency and very low stray magnetic field to prevent any radiation of hum or noise to other sensitive components or products.

The rectifier used in the power supply will handle 25A. It utilizes a special cooling fin and is designed to stand extreme loads. The filter capacitors in the power supply are 2 x 15,000uF and the total power system is able to supply any current needed to the amplifiers even when handling high power transient signals.

There is plenty of chatter online for those wanting to do a deeper dive on the details about these well designed and high end components. However, to sum it up in 25 words or less, "this trio of Norwegian built components are small in size, but big enough in power to drive any high quality speaker system."

Basic specs (amp)
Power output: 150 watts per channel into 8Ω (stereo)
Frequency response: 20Hz to 20kHz
THD: 0.02%
Dimensions: 17"W x 14"D x 3.3"H
Weight: 25 lbs

The TCA-3002 is best described as a "very capable vintage preamp from the 80's. It features a zero negative feedback design with a built-in phono stage that's capable of taking both MM (Moving-Magnet) and MC (Moving-Coil) cartridges. Full featured controls to cover just about any need.

About Tandberg...
This highly respected Norwegian company's products are still commanding high prices in the world of vintage HiFi due to the excellent quality in just about everything they built.

Tandberg was founded by Vebjørn Tandberg as Tandbergs Radiofabrikk (the Tandberg Radio Factory) in Oslo in 1933. The company's first radio was named "Tommeliten" (Tom Thumb) and used only earphones. In the early 1950s, Tandberg opened a branch plant in Oslo to produce reel-to-reel decks. Their first model was the TB 1, introduced to the market in 1952. Over the next decade, Tandberg quickly incorporated a number of leading-edge concepts in the tape deck design and production.

Tandberg tape recorders dominated the Norwegian market, and had a reputation for advanced technology and high quality at reasonable prices. It was on Tandberg reel-to-reel machines that JFK recorded many meetings in the Cabinet Room (White House) including those associated with the Cuban missile crisis. A serious economic downturn in 1976 disrupted the company, and by 1978 it was insolvent. A shareholder revolt removed Vebjørn Tandberg from control of the company, and he committed suicide in August. In December 1978, the company declared bankruptcy.

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