This Thing Is Nuts! The Story of McIntosh’s Mostly Useless, Completely Awesome MI-3

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  • Опубліковано 3 лип 2024
  • Introduced in 1964, McIntosh promised a lot from the MI-3 maximum performance indicator. It was five laboratory instruments in one. And would show you what you needed to do to improve your system’s overall performance. At a pricey $249 (about $2,400 in today's dollars) did it really live up to the hype? And just what is this thing anyway?
    Topics and timestamps covered in the video:
    0:00 Introduction
    0:50 What’s an oscilloscope?
    0:57 MI-2
    1:41 MPI-4
    1:51 Oscilloscopes by Pioneer, Kenwood & Marantz
    2:11 What the MI-3 can’t do
    2:36 Using the MI-3 with a tuner
    3:30 What’s FM multipath?
    3:53 Testing for FM multipath
    4:40 Is the MI-3 useful for FM tuning?
    5:05 L&R audio tests
    5:15 What is phase?
    5:53 Testing phase
    6:34 Testing balance
    6:49 Testing stereo separation
    7:19 Is the MI-3 useful for audio tests?
    7:45 Who’d benefit from an MI-3?
    8:30 Oscilloscope Music Demonstration
    Music credit:
    Spirals, by Jerobeam Fenderson
    My for more information on Jerobeam Fenderson and oscilloscope music:
    oscilloscopemusic.com
    To visit my Amazon Shop, please click:
    www.amazon.com/shop/fluxconde...
    #mcintosh #stereorepair #oscilloscope #hifi
  • Наука та технологія

КОМЕНТАРІ • 28

  • @59cdv
    @59cdv Рік тому +3

    Agreed generally. Aside of the "light show", an important benefit of the lissagaseous display is for installation of the phono cartridge and anti skating adjustments (when used with a test record). The MPI4 has a few extra features like the ability to monitor output power of amplifiers without meters. It also comes in handy for identifying problems.

  • @brettb5257
    @brettb5257 Рік тому +2

    I just watched all of your restoration videos on the MC2105 ... well done. It led me to this ... down the rabbit hole we go. I now need an MI-3 to go along with my C33 preamp and MC7200 amplifier. Thanks for taking the time to put these together.

    • @FluxCondenser
      @FluxCondenser  Рік тому +1

      My pleasure. Glad you found that series useful. And good luck on securing an MI-3.

  • @crimsonghost6454
    @crimsonghost6454 Рік тому +2

    Ok that is very cool. While not necessarily needed I can see why it would be wanted. I would like to have one now after seeing this. Great video.

    • @FluxCondenser
      @FluxCondenser  Рік тому +2

      Yeah, there’s something so captivating about these things, for sure.

  • @scottthomas3792
    @scottthomas3792 Рік тому

    I saw one in a mall back in the mid '70s. I don't remember who manufactured it, but the music being played was designed to give interesting patterns....

  • @dariypetryk7215
    @dariypetryk7215 Рік тому +1

    Wow! That's an experience! I totally see why people wanted to have one in 60-70 lol :) Buying my first analog oscilloscope soon, would definitely use that music you used! Stuff's even better than I expected!

  • @alexkval
    @alexkval Рік тому +1

    This is such an awesome-looking presentation 😍 Thank you Chris so much for such lovely videos

  • @darthbubba866
    @darthbubba866 Рік тому +3

    Well, if they ever go to re-launch "The Outer Limits" TV show I know where they can get the intro visual effects.
    P.S.: My wife walked in at one point, wondering if the Mother Ship was landing in my workroom.

    • @FluxCondenser
      @FluxCondenser  Рік тому

      Ha! I’m guessing that’s not the usual kinda tunes pumping through the Bubba household.

  • @HabiburRahman-dh7oy
    @HabiburRahman-dh7oy Рік тому +1

    iam happy that i understand so basics

  • @NateEll
    @NateEll 10 місяців тому

    An MI3 is on my radar; I have a Marantz tuner with an oscilloscope and I have to say, it is a better tuning aid for multiparty than is a needle based meter.

  • @petenamlook18
    @petenamlook18 Рік тому +3

    This thing really whips the llama's ass.

    • @FluxCondenser
      @FluxCondenser  Рік тому

      No llamas were harmed during the making of this video. Two gerbils and a Pekingese were electrocuted, but no llamas.

    • @YesterYearAudio
      @YesterYearAudio Рік тому

      Winamp! 😂 ua-cam.com/video/HaF-nRS_CWM/v-deo.html&ab_channel=DwightSchrute

  • @Amplified208
    @Amplified208 8 місяців тому

    That is sick

  • @AudioElectronicsChicago
    @AudioElectronicsChicago Рік тому +2

    I love it

  • @m1tch3llphotos
    @m1tch3llphotos Рік тому +1

    Now I want something I didn't know existed. BTW, I really dig the music you used for the demo. What is that?

  • @Mrsteve4761
    @Mrsteve4761 Рік тому +1

    Wow, way before the typical laser shows of today, the few who had these were enjoying the amazing patterns this thing could produce. Granted, in addition to those who had oscilloscopes, but who had one in their living room? 😆

    • @FluxCondenser
      @FluxCondenser  Рік тому +1

      Yeah, talk about “Keeping up with the Jones.” You’ve got an oscilloscope on your bench? Well, I’ve got one in my living room!

  • @jamesbederaux-cayne6468
    @jamesbederaux-cayne6468 4 місяці тому

    Do you know how I might find a power source for my mpi 3

  • @KeritechElectronics
    @KeritechElectronics Рік тому +1

    Let's have some oscillofun without too much tech moaning, shall we? :)

  • @laurencereynolds9122
    @laurencereynolds9122 8 місяців тому

    I’ve got an Mi-3 for sale. Needs a new transformer.

  • @chriswithall2518
    @chriswithall2518 Рік тому

    Chris you got the in-phase and out of phase ie 180 degrees the wrong way round. the 45degree angle to the x+ axis is in-phase not out of phase. Otherwise a good vid.

    • @FluxCondenser
      @FluxCondenser  Рік тому +1

      Not sure what you mean. I’ve rechecked the video and I appear to be showing this correctly. I state and show that in phase is along the L+R axis and out of phase is on the L-R axis which is correct. It is shown in the MI-3 manual the same way that I present this. Note that the L+R axis is counter-clockwise in rotation not clockwise as you may expect.

  • @johnstone7697
    @johnstone7697 Рік тому +3

    The fact that it doesn't even have a horizontal sweep circuit in it means it really isn't an oscilloscope in the true sense of the word. It's just a simple X-Y axis level indicator, using a CRT.... nothing more. Fun to look at, but pretty much useless. You could easily build one yourself, using any old oscilloscope. But as McIntosh long ago realized, boys must have their toys. On a practical scale, this thing is at least more useful than that stupid light box they're peddling today for $1500. Talk about useless.

  • @lilah66
    @lilah66 10 місяців тому

    The Pioneer is a much better unit. Other than the Mc240-275 and Mr78 and Mr66 and Mx110 I dont like McIntosh. As a 50 year electronics tech and degreed electronics engineer and audio nut in my opinion McIntosh is Bose for doctors and lawyers. Personally I have an old Tektronics rack mount scope that sat in the original box unopened for decades in my main system that actually dose something useful. I will admit the Mac is very good looking.