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Is the McIntosh MR67 Modded top notch?

I have a very high end system. Usually listen to vinyl only and the radio. I have a VPI HRX turtable with all the bells & whistles (super platter, rim-drive, 12.7 arm, SDS, ring) and a Lyra Titan Cartridge. A CAT amp and pre-amp (with phono). Hales Trancendence 8 speakers. Transparent Ultra XL technology cables and interconnects. And it sounds good. I use PS Audio interconnects for my tuner, I like the sonund of them and there more affordable then the Transparent. I had bought a Scott 350B. It sounded great but had a hum. So I got rid of it and bought a McIntosh MR67 completely modded by RICHARD MODAFFERI. Power Cord, Cardas Posts, capacitors, alignment, etc. I cost me $1,250. I see these tuners for less but not with the 'Mods'. The tuner is due to arrive this Monday. Any thoughts on if this was a good deal and the sonics of the tuner?
rothmanbrad
hgeifman
2,191 posts
 
Go to www.audioasylum.com and click on the tuner tab. I found this MR67 mod post for your review:

http://db.audioasylum.com/cgi/m.mpl?forum=tuner&n=3368&highlight=mr67&r=&session=

Posted by Trout Mask Replica on October 26, 2005 at 06:10:25
I have a nice Mc MR67. It was aligned by Richard M. quite a few years ago and still sounds superb. I am starting to wonder about the tubes. Most of the tubes without shields are not Mc tubes but are a mix of RCAs etc. What tubes in the MR67 are prone to failure or are being run hard? I am sure there are some that will last almost forever but probably a few that could use a change. The tubes that are in the tuner are the same ones that were in it when it was aligned so I do not want to change any that may alter that. I also am ready to dive in and change a few of the old electrolytics under the deck.....
musicslug
430 posts
 
the Mcintosh MR-71 is generally considered their best tube tuner, with the MR-67 next best. with the mods, you should have a great tuner there.
samujohn's avatar
samujohn
291 posts
 
I have the MODAFFERI mod MR-77which went for about $ 500 more. I have had several top tuners including an MR-71 modded by another tech. IMHO the tubes just sound better, period. As to which model is "best", opinions differ wildly with individual application. I don't like the way the MR-78 looks, so I am cheered when others say it was sound compromised to get better sensitivity- but I suspect all of these "fan club" reports are mere bias.
As for tube life, by the time you need new tubes, you will also need a new alignment, so just relax ad enjoy.
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