Thread: McIntosh 12000 - Thinking about buying a used 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.

Originally Posted by Dman777dman777

I am thinking about buying a used Mcintosh 12000 for 11,500.00.

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 .........

Originally Posted by Dman777dman777

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?

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.

Originally Posted by Bubblehead19

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.

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 !!

Originally Posted by Bubblehead19

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.

This is great advice that is helpful and well meaning.

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.

Originally Posted by Bubblehead19

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.

Originally Posted by Bubblehead19

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.

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.

Originally Posted by Randy Myers

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.

'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 ?

Originally Posted by Bubblehead19

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…

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

In any case, enjoy your weekend.

Every day's a Saturday at my age ! enjoy yours.......

Best Buy or Magnolia, just semantics

Originally Posted by Randy Myers

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.

Originally Posted by Mr Peabody

Best Buy or Magnolia, just semantics

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.

Originally Posted by Randy Myers

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

That's because they're too busy listening to corn growing ............

Originally Posted by Randy Myers

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.

I agree with you - I always felt going into Best Buy/Magnolia was a marketing/brand image mistake by McIntosh. No kid making $15/hr is going to do the brand justice.

Originally Posted by Mikado463

That's because they're too busy listening to corn growing ............

Ouch... now that is just cruel. We all know that corn growing does not make a sound...

You can't hear it?? I heard it, LOL

Originally Posted by Randy Myers

Ouch... now that is just cruel. We all know that corn growing does not make a sound...

Originally Posted by MichaelsMinute

I agree with you - I always felt going into Best Buy/Magnolia was a marketing/brand image mistake by McIntosh. No kid making $15/hr is going to do the brand justice.

I got to hear the KilloWatt Amps and the big B&Ws there and it was great experience. After that, Rotel with Sonos Faber sounded as if the music was struggling to get out while the former just ooozed music.

I heard the 1kw monoblocks with B&W in a regular hi fi shop, I had never heard the flagship Nautilus lit up like that before. I came away with a new perspective.

Originally Posted by Shadowfax

I got to hear the KilloWatt Amps and the big B&Ws there and it was great experience. After that, Rotel with Sonos Faber sounded as if the music was struggling to get out while the former just ooozed music.

Those B&W ‘s are very power hungry, so not surprised ..!

I'd love an MA 12000, I think it's a stunning piece of craftsmanship and engineering.

To the OP, you might go to a brick and mortar shop and indicate your interest. You may find you can get a demo with warranty for the same price as the unit you are considering. Or at least close enough. The 3 year McIntosh warranty has some value in case you do have a problem.

To the forum in general - I've been gone for the summer, enjoying the outdoors and travelling. Now that I'm back home, I decided to check back into AS. I found the number of ad-hominem attacks has increased significantly. Disappointing.

Something on of my bosses told me years ago; "Its OK to disagree, just don't be disagreeable"

I'm not sure why I'm bringing this up. I guess I'm hoping to enjoy this corner of the internet for some time to come. Not sure if that's possible right now.

Originally Posted by 1kw

Purchased my Mcintosh MC501’s in 2009 and they are still performing great. The MA12000 should give you decades of pleasure listening to music. I also have a C2300 tube pre amp and put Gold Lion tubes inside in 2009 which I have never changed. I agree with one of the posts above , for $3000 I would buy a brand new one with a warranty. I don’t think half is correct however for a current model, probably 40 Percent off however personally if you have the room go separates ie separate pre amp and amp.

While not a Mcintosh fan myself, I do respect how well built they are, how they hold their value, and how well they take care of their customers. Definitely a great company. Hard to go wrong if someone buys one of their pieces.