McIntosh 12000 - Thinking about buying a used one

D

Dman777dman777

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I am thinking about buying a used Mcintosh 12000 for 11,500.00. The original owner bought it at Best Buy, and the second owner (who I would be buying from) is now selling it.

How reliable are the McIntosh amps as they age?
Is there any risk it could get a short or something go wrong?
Since they do not depreciate that much, is the 3.5k savings (they go for 15k new) worth buying a used one instead of a new one?
 
In 2012 purchased a new MA6600
In 2015 purchased a used D100

Sold both in 2022 and purchased a new MA8950.

All have been great, no issues.

If you are so inclined to use the onboard DAC, The 12000 incorporates the DA2 (DAC module) which, IMHO is a nice upgrade over the previous DA1. Provided the amp is clean and not abused, 11.5 is not bad at all.
 
Provided the amp is clean and not abused, 11.5 is not bad at al
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I guess this is the part which scares me. How could I tell if it was abused or not? Could it be clean on the outside with no signs of a abuse but the internal parts abused somehow?
 
Dman777dman777 said:
I am thinking about buying a used Mcintosh 12000 for 11,500.00.
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OMG, LMAO............

mep is right young man, you're lost !

If you think spending 5 figures on ANY piece of used gear is going to make a pair of Sonus Faber Lumina II's sound any better you are not seeing the big picture .........
 
You got that all wrong. In my other posts, I have stated I will be upgrading my speakers in which I plan on spending about 10k. But first I am getting reference amps so when I do starting getting speakers I can compare the speakers on each amp. In the end, I will keep the combo of amp and speakers (probably 2 systems) and sell the remaining one. Or I may just keep one system and sell the other 2.

Why would you think otherwise?
 
Dman777dman777 said:
You got that all wrong. In my other posts, I have stated I will be upgrading my speakers in which I plan on spending about 10k. But first I am getting reference amps so when I do starting getting speakers I can compare the speakers on each amp. In the end, I will keep the combo of amp and speakers (probably 2 systems) and sell the remaining one. Or I may just keep one system and sell the other 2.

Why would you think otherwise?
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Why would I think otherwise ? Well, for starters you've been 'all over the map' here. This appears to be but another example. Are you putting the cart in front of the horse ? Speakers and the environment they reside in come first, at which point a rational discussion as to what drives them comes next !
 
You are buying from a 2nd owner, I'd wonder why the amp is switching hands like that. Mac typically holds value pretty well but I think the price is a bit high coming from a second owner. You can check hifishark to see if any other 12000 are up for sell and what prior sellers asked for their 12000 that sold already. If it was me I'd pay the extra $3k to get new product and warranty.

Sort of rule of thumb on used gear it's about half retail. If newer or a sought after brand it will get above that and on the other end some lose their pants.

A shame brands like Mac can be bought at Best Buy.
 
I would recommend you have the C12000 serviced at an authorized center and have the tubes replaced, this way you're starting off at a known base, that might cost you an extra $1000-$2000 depending on where you live, which kinda brings your total bill to around what a new C12000 would cost. While $11500 is not a bad deal, I would price out the cost of the service and tube replacement first, then decide.

You will want to do your diligence on how you plan on building out the rest of your system, The Pre Amp is your Brain, the Amps are your heart and lungs and your speakers are your voice… what environment will you have them in will dictate how it all sounds.
 
Bubblehead19 said:
I would recommend you have the C12000 serviced at an authorized center and have the tubes replaced, this way you're starting off at a known base, that might cost you an extra $1000-$2000 depending on where you live, which kinda brings your total bill to around what a new C12000 would cost. While $11500 is not a bad deal, I would price out the cost of the service and tube replacement first, then decide.

You will want to do your diligence on how you plan on building out the rest of your system, The Pre Amp is your Brain, the Amps are your heart and lungs and your speakers are your voice… what environment will you have them in will dictate how it all sounds.
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Really ??? Unless I've missed it, he hasn't even decided on what his speakers are going to be ?? Only an uneducated audio enthusiast would by an amp like that not knowing what it would be driving !!
 
Bubblehead19 said:
I would recommend you have the C12000 serviced at an authorized center and have the tubes replaced, this way you're starting off at a known base, that might cost you an extra $1000-$2000 depending on where you live, which kinda brings your total bill to around what a new C12000 would cost. While $11500 is not a bad deal, I would price out the cost of the service and tube replacement first, then decide.

You will want to do your diligence on how you plan on building out the rest of your system, The Pre Amp is your Brain, the Amps are your heart and lungs and your speakers are your voice… what environment will you have them in will dictate how it all sounds.
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This is great advice that is helpful and well meaning.
 
Mikado463 said:
Really ??? Unless I've missed it, he hasn't even decided on what his speakers are going to be ?? Only an uneducated audio enthusiast would by an amp like that not knowing what it would be driving !!
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The advice is geared towards his question about purchasing the Pre Amp, to help ensure he knows his purchase (should he make it) is in good working order and thus has a solid foundation from HIS starting point. If you would like to know what Amps he has or what speakers he is currently using or thinking of upgrading towards, ask. Chastising me for providing sound advice toward purchasing a used piece of equipment bring zero value to the conversation or the threads purpose, but whatever makes you feel better sir.
 
I believe he was talking about the MA12000. Although the preamp section is tube. Typically the preamp tubes shouldn't need changed that often but still a good idea to have a used piece checked.

Bubblehead19 said:
The advice is geared towards his question about purchasing the Pre Amp, to help ensure he knows his purchase (should he make it) is in good working order and thus has a solid foundation from HIS starting point. If you would like to know what Amps he has or what speakers he is currently using or thinking of upgrading towards, ask. Chastising me for providing sound advice toward purchasing a used piece of equipment bring zero value to the conversation or the threads purpose, but whatever makes you feel better sir.
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Bubblehead19 said:
The advice is geared towards his question about purchasing the Pre Amp, to help ensure he knows his purchase (should he make it) is in good working order and thus has a solid foundation from HIS starting point. If you would like to know what Amps he has or what speakers he is currently using or thinking of upgrading towards, ask. Chastising me for providing sound advice toward purchasing a used piece of equipment bring zero value to the conversation or the threads purpose, but whatever makes you feel better sir.
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Perhaps if you read the entire thread more carefully you could see that his approach to equipment acquisition at times is 'bass ackwards', that was my point. Not that your amp suggestions with respect to purchase aren't valid but IMO the Op needs to focus on speaker selection first.
 
People go about putting together their system in a variety of ways. People think I am crazy having a pre-amp and amp that are both worth as much as my speakers. However, it is actually a beautiful match. To each their own.

I see people saying you must pick your speakers first, and they have to be the most expensive component in your system. While this may be true in many situations it definitely not true in all situations.

A McIntosh amplifier, either separates or integrated are a great quality product. They have tons or power and are usually built like a tank. There is a good reason why used McIntosh sell so well and why they retain their value as well as any brand on the market. (I admit to being biased growing up in the shadow of the factory.)

By the way, Best Buy does not sell McIntosh. Magnola (which are located in a handful of Best Buys) do sell McIntosh.
 
Randy Myers said:
I see people saying you must pick your speakers first, and they have to be the most expensive component in your system. While this may be true in many situations it definitely not true in all situations.
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'must', no, rather 'should'. As for the most expensive piece of kit, not necessarily. But the speakers and the room in which they reside ARE the foundation to a great system, can we all at least agree to that ?
 
Mikado463 said:
Perhaps if you read the entire thread more carefully you could see that his approach to equipment acquisition at times is 'bass ackwards', that was my point. Not that your amp suggestions with respect to purchase aren't valid but IMO the Op needs to focus on speaker selection first.
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Perhaps indeed, although the whole point of the threadÂ’s inception was for advice/ thoughts regarding the possible purchase of a used Amp, which most members have stayed on topicÂ… then we have your inputs. If you hold the golden ticket on the step by step procedure for building an audio system, by all means, present your blueprint. IÂ’m sure youÂ’ll find a plethora of other ideas on the hows, whatÂ’s and whenÂ’sÂ…

In any case, enjoy your weekend.
 
Bubblehead19 said:
Perhaps indeed, although the whole point of the threadÂ’s inception was for advice/ thoughts regarding the possible purchase of a used Amp, which most members have stayed on topicÂ… then we have your inputs. If you hold the golden ticket on the step by step procedure for building an audio system, by all means, present your blueprint. IÂ’m sure youÂ’ll find a plethora of other ideas on the hows, whatÂ’s and whenÂ’sÂ…
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your points taken, but if you noticed 'Dman777' has been all over the map with several recent threads and myself along with a few others have tried to get him focused. As for my golden ticket, nah, just a bronze stub :D

In any case, enjoy your weekend.
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Every day's a Saturday at my age ! enjoy yours.......
 
Best Buy or Magnolia, just semantics


Randy Myers said:
People go about putting together their system in a variety of ways. People think I am crazy having a pre-amp and amp that are both worth as much as my speakers. However, it is actually a beautiful match. To each their own.

I see people saying you must pick your speakers first, and they have to be the most expensive component in your system. While this may be true in many situations it definitely not true in all situations.

A McIntosh amplifier, either separates or integrated are a great quality product. They have tons or power and are usually built like a tank. There is a good reason why used McIntosh sell so well and why they retain their value as well as any brand on the market. (I admit to being biased growing up in the shadow of the factory.)

By the way, Best Buy does not sell McIntosh. Magnola (which are located in a handful of Best Buys) do sell McIntosh.
Click to expand...
 
Mr Peabody said:
Best Buy or Magnolia, just semantics
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Hehe, there are few Magnolias' while there are Best Buys everywhere. We have two Best Buys here in Wichita, neither of which are Magnolia. In fact, I have never lived in a place where the Best Buy was. When our son lived in the Bay Area there was one that I visited. I felt they did not treat the McIntosh as well as it deserved (dirty, etc.). They did have some decent other gear to listen to also.

Therefore, the largest city in Kansas basically has zero places to look at and listen to higher end audio gear.
 
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