📍 Los Angeles & Southern California
🔧 30+ Years Experience
⚡ Tube Specialist
🏢 Tek Media Group
📋 TECHNICAL DISCLAIMER: The information provided is based on my 30+ years of experience restoring McIntosh MC2000 amplifiers. Tube amplifiers contain lethal voltages that can remain stored even after power is disconnected. I strongly recommend that only qualified technicians perform internal service. Proceed at your own risk.
⚠️ HIGH VOLTAGE WARNING: The McIntosh MC2000 operates with voltages exceeding 450V DC. Capacitors can retain lethal charge for extended periods. If you're experiencing issues, please bring it to a qualified technician rather than attempting internal service yourself.
About the MC2000 & My Service
The McIntosh MC2000 was released in 1999 to celebrate the company's 50th anniversary. Only 2,500 units were produced worldwide, making it one of the most collectible McIntosh amplifiers ever made. With its stunning stainless steel chassis, gold-plated hardware, and advanced vacuum tube design, the MC2000 represents the pinnacle of McIntosh's tube amplifier engineering.
I'm the owner and lead technician at Tek Media Group, and I've been restoring McIntosh tube amplifiers since 1994. I have extensive experience with the MC2000 and understand its unique design, including the sophisticated power supply, proprietary output transformers, and complex biasing system. Every MC2000 that comes to my bench receives meticulous attention to preserve its value and sonic excellence.
✅ WHY TRUST TEK MEDIA GROUP WITH YOUR MC2000:
- 30+ Years of Vintage Tube Amplifier Experience
- Factory-Trained on McIntosh Equipment
- Specialized Knowledge of the MC2000's Unique Design
- Every Amplifier Gets My Personal Attention – No Assembly Line
- Complete Power Supply Rebuild & Capacitor Replacement
- Precision Tube Biasing & Matching with KT88/6550 Tubes
- 90-Day Warranty on All Work
- Local Service Throughout Southern California
Restoration Services I Offer
🔧 Diagnostic & Evaluation Complete assessment with detailed report
⚡ Power Supply Restoration Full recap of electrolytic capacitors, voltage regulation verification
🎛️ Full Capacitor Replacement Replace all aged electrolytic and coupling capacitors with high-quality equivalents
🔋 Tube Biasing & Matching Precision bias adjustment, output tube matching on calibrated tube tester
🔧 Resistor & Component Replacement Replace drifted or out-of-spec components
📏 Full Performance Verification Power output testing, distortion measurement, frequency response, noise floor
🔌 Safety & Power Upgrades Safety capacitor replacement, fuse verification
🏆 COMPLETE FULL RESTORATION All services above – your amplifier will perform to or exceed original specifications
💡 COMPLETE RESTORATION INCLUDES: Full power supply recap • All electrolytic and coupling capacitors • Bias adjustment and tube testing • Resistor replacement • Clean controls • Power output verification • Distortion and frequency response measurement • 90-day warranty
The MC2000 – A Unique Masterpiece
🏆 50TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL FEATURES:
- Limited Production: Only 2,500 units produced worldwide
- Stainless Steel Chassis: Polished stainless steel with gold-plated hardware
- Advanced Power Supply: Sophisticated multi-stage filtering with oil-filled capacitors
- Proprietary Output Transformers: McIntosh's legendary Unity Coupled circuit
- KT88 Output Tubes: 8 x KT88/6550 tubes delivering 200W per channel
- LED Power Meters: Blue meters with adjustable brightness
- Remote Control: Motorized volume control with remote capability
⚠️ IMPORTANT – MC2000 SPECIFIC CONSIDERATIONS: The MC2000 uses a sophisticated microprocessor-controlled biasing system and specialized power supply components. Standard tube amplifier restoration techniques may not apply. I have the specific knowledge and documentation to service these unique features correctly.
Detailed Repair Information – From My Workbench
⚡ POWER SUPPLY (Critical for MC2000)
- Main Filter Capacitors: High-voltage electrolytic caps – I replace with 105°C rated, high-ripple current types
- Oil-Filled Capacitors: Proprietary oil caps in power supply – I test and replace if necessary with high-quality film equivalents
- Voltage Regulation: Complex multi-stage regulation – I verify all voltages and replace drifted components
- B+ Voltage Verification: I verify proper plate voltage (typically 450V+) after restoration
- Standby Circuit: Soft-start circuit components – I test and replace as needed
🎛️ COUPLING & SIGNAL CAPACITORS
CRITICAL FOR SOUND QUALITY:
- Original coupling capacitors can drift and become leaky over time
- I use high-quality polypropylene film capacitors (Auricap, Mundorf, or similar)
- Output coupling caps are critical for low-frequency response and stability
- Phase inverter coupling affects overall amplifier stability
🔋 TUBE BIAS & OUTPUT SECTION
- Microprocessor Bias Control: The MC2000 uses a digital bias control system – I have the tools to calibrate it correctly
- Output Tubes (KT88/6550): 8 tubes – I test all tubes on calibrated tube tester and match for balanced performance
- Driver Tubes (12AX7, 12AT7): I test and replace weak or noisy tubes
- Bias Adjustment Procedure: I set bias per factory specifications using the built-in meter system
- Output Transformer Testing: I verify the Unity Coupled transformers for proper operation
🔧 RESISTORS & OTHER COMPONENTS
- Metal Film Resistors: Most are stable, but I test all and replace drifted units
- Screen Grid Resistors: I replace with flameproof types for safety
- Tube Sockets: Ceramic sockets – I clean and tighten all for reliable contact
- Controls & Switches: I clean input selector, volume control, and all switches with DeOxit
- Remote Control Motor: I test and lubricate the motorized volume control
📊 METERS & DISPLAY
- Blue LED Meters: I verify meter calibration and LED brightness
- Meter Driver Circuit: I test and replace drifted components in the meter driver board
- Brightness Control: I verify the meter brightness adjustment works correctly
Common MC2000 Problems I Solve
#1 Power Supply Capacitor Failure
Symptom: Excessive hum, low output power, overheating, intermittent operation.
My Solution: I replace all electrolytic capacitors in the power supply. This restores proper filtering and eliminates hum.
#2 Bias System Drift
Symptom: Unstable bias readings, output tubes running hot, channel imbalance.
My Solution: I recalibrate the microprocessor bias control system and verify all bias components. I test and match output tubes.
#3 Output Tube Failure
Symptom: Weak output, distortion, one tube glowing red, blown fuse.
My Solution: I test all output tubes, replace weak or mismatched tubes, and provide a matched quad or octet.
#4 Leaky Coupling Capacitors
Symptom: Distortion, bias instability, poor sound quality.
My Solution: I replace all coupling capacitors with high-quality modern film capacitors.
#5 Meter Issues
Symptom: Meters not responding, inaccurate readings, dim or flickering LEDs.
My Solution: I test meter driver circuits, replace drifted components, and verify meter calibration.
#6 Remote Control Not Working
Symptom: Volume doesn't respond to remote, intermittent operation.
My Solution: I test the motorized volume control, remote receiver, and control board components.
#7 Noise & Hum Issues
Symptom: Background hum, hiss, crackling.
My Solution: I systematically identify noise sources: power supply, tube noise, resistor noise, or external interference.
#8 Standby Circuit Failure
Symptom: Amplifier won't power up, no sound after warm-up.
My Solution: I test the soft-start circuit, standby relay, and timing components.
My Restoration Process
✅ Step 1: Consultation & Diagnostic – I discuss your amplifier's condition and goals
✅ Step 2: Initial Testing – I power up safely on variac, measure voltages, document baseline
✅ Step 3: Power Supply Rebuild – Replace all electrolytic caps, verify regulation
✅ Step 4: Coupling Capacitor Replacement – All signal path caps with high-quality film types
✅ Step 5: Resistor Testing & Replacement – Test all resistors, replace drifted units
✅ Step 6: Tube Testing & Biasing – Test all tubes on calibrated tester, match output tubes, calibrate bias system
✅ Step 7: Clean & Lubricate – Controls, switches, tube sockets, remote motor
✅ Step 8: Meter Calibration – Verify meter accuracy and LED brightness
✅ Step 9: Performance Verification – Power output, distortion, frequency response, noise measurement
✅ Step 10: Burn-in & Final Testing – 24-hour burn-in, final verification, detailed service report
📋 TIMELINE: Full restoration: 2-3 weeks depending on parts availability. Partial: 1 week. Rush service available – just ask.
Capacitor Replacement Database
⚠️ Total: 30-40 capacitors depending on revision – I replace ALL aged caps
POWER SUPPLY CAPACITORS
| Designator | Original | My Replacement | Notes |
|---|
| C1-C4 | 470µF/450V | High-ripple, 105°C electrolytic | Main filter caps – critical for power supply |
| C5-C8 | 100µF/400V | Modern electrolytic | Screen supply filtering |
| C9-C12 | 47µF/250V | Modern electrolytic | Driver supply filtering |
| C13-C16 | 100µF/100V | Modern electrolytic | Bias supply filtering |
COUPLING & SIGNAL CAPACITORS
| Position | Original | My Replacement | Notes |
|---|
| Input Coupling | 0.22µF / 400V | Polypropylene film | Critical for low-frequency response |
| Phase Inverter | 0.1µF / 400V | Polypropylene film | Stability and phase accuracy |
| Output Coupling | 0.47µF / 600V | Polypropylene film, 600V+ | Critical for output stage stability |
| Feedback Network | 100pF / 500V | Silver mica | Stability compensation |
Tube Complement & Recommendations
| Position | Tube Type | Quantity | My Recommendation |
|---|
| Output Tubes | KT88 / 6550 | 8 | Genalex Gold Lion KT88 reissues or matched NOS |
| Driver / Phase Inverter | 12AX7, 12AT7 | 4 (2 each) | Matched pairs, low noise (Mullard, Telefunken, or modern Gold Lion) |
| Input / Buffer | 12AX7 | 2 | Low noise, balanced triodes |
Service Area – Southern California & Surrounding Cities
Proudly serving:
Los Angeles County
Orange County
Ventura County
Riverside County
San Bernardino County
Pasadena
Glendale
Burbank
Santa Monica
Beverly Hills
West LA
San Fernando Valley
Long Beach
Torrance
Culver City
Anaheim
Irvine
Santa Clarita
Thousand Oaks
and all of Southern California
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does a restoration take?
A: Typically 2-3 weeks for a complete restoration, depending on the work needed and parts availability.
Q: What is included in the restoration service?
A: My service includes a complete diagnostic, power supply rebuild, capacitor replacement, tube biasing, and more. See the 'Restoration Services I Offer' section for full details.
Q: Do you offer a warranty on your work?
A: Yes, I stand by my work with a 360-day warranty on all restoration services.
Q: Can you service MC2000 amplifiers from outside California?
A: Absolutely. I offer shipping options for customers outside of California. Please contact me for details.
Tek Media Group | 📍 Los Angeles, CA | 📞 (818) 244-4440 | ✉️ service@tekmediagroup.com
