I put the bottom back on my tube preamplifier today--it makes a difference!

@TheHorse (218143)
Walnut Creek, California
September 5, 2022 4:35pm CST
For the past several months, I have had the bottom off of the MacIntosh MX 110 tube tuner/preamplifier I've had in my house. I've had the bottom off, trying to get the thing working 100%. I have sprayed all of the contacts with De-Oxit, worked all of the controls back and forth, and so on. It sounds really "clean" now but one channel is still out. I will leave it up to the "big boys" to figure that out. One thing that's cool is that I was able to stop the "microphony" by putting the bottom back on the amplifier today. When I would walk to my kitchen with the bottom off, the amplifier's tubes would go "thump thump thump" along with my footsteps. I believe the tubes act as "microphones" when not properly stabilized. With the bottom back on, this no longer happens. I do not completely know why. JJ might. I will listen to my classical and jazz music in "mono" until I can get this and two other tube pieces in for service. I will attach a photo of this piece with the bottom off. I am surprised I did not get electrocuted. But I have already lived a good life. It's worth it to try and get these old tube preamps and amplifiers up and working.
11 people like this
7 responses
Ruby Hawk
@RubyHawk (99405)
• Atlanta, Georgia
5 Sep 22
Surely you didn’t work on it while plugged to electricity. You could have electrocuted yourself.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (218143)
• Walnut Creek, California
6 Sep 22
Oh, I do. I want to hear what kind of a difference each tweak makes. However, I do not poke my fingers into the electronics.
1 person likes this
Ruby Hawk
@RubyHawk (99405)
• Atlanta, Georgia
6 Sep 22
@TheHorse I should hope not but you know what you’re doing. I wouldn’t.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (218143)
• Walnut Creek, California
13 Sep 22
@RubyHawk I live life on the edge. Remember that I am a male who is an expert Child Psychologist. Very rare.
1 person likes this
Kayla Tsukino
@kaylachan (68818)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
6 Sep 22
You sure know what you're doing. Endless a headache because you saved the professionals some time I'm sure.
1 person likes this
Kayla Tsukino
@kaylachan (68818)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
6 Sep 22
@TheHorse That's always the risk, but you only know how to do so much.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (218143)
• Walnut Creek, California
13 Sep 22
@kaylachan Right now I am trying to figure out who I trust the most.
The Horse
@TheHorse (218143)
• Walnut Creek, California
6 Sep 22
I hope they accept that when I bring them my stuff.
1 person likes this
Anna
@LadyDuck (471002)
• Switzerland
6 Sep 22
As much as I like to work with the wood, I dislike touching electric and electronic stuff, this is something I let my husband do.
1 person likes this
Anna
@LadyDuck (471002)
• Switzerland
13 Sep 22
@TheHorse The voltage is 220 here in Europe, better not to get accidentally shocked. My husband liked to work with electricity and electronics, so he also got a degree as electrical engineer, he knows what he does and he never takes risks.
The Horse
@TheHorse (218143)
• Walnut Creek, California
13 Sep 22
Is he comfortable when he does so. I always felt "inspired" when I was accidentally shocked by the electric wires at the horse stable. But I think the voltage is higher in Europe.
1 person likes this
RasmaSandra
@RasmaSandra (79456)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
6 Sep 22
Good for you and best of luck with all that,
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (218143)
• Walnut Creek, California
13 Sep 22
Thank you.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (338949)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Sep 22
That's looks so complex and complicated. I'm glad you didn't get electrocuted. You still have some speakers to repair, don't you?
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (218143)
• Walnut Creek, California
13 Sep 22
I do. I usually do.
1 person likes this
LindaOH
@LindaOHio (177106)
• United States
6 Sep 22
You know so much about the workings of stereo components!
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (218143)
• Walnut Creek, California
13 Sep 22
I wish I knew more! I can restore old cabinets, and replace resistors and capacitors, but that's about it.
1 person likes this
LindaOH
@LindaOHio (177106)
• United States
13 Sep 22
@TheHorse That's a lot. I'm sure there's a book on repair or some YouTube videos.
Heather Echola
@GardenGerty (160522)
• United States
6 Sep 22
I am glad as well that you did not get electrocuted. I imagine every piece you work on is an education.
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (218143)
• Walnut Creek, California
13 Sep 22
I would have to agree with that statement.