Professional Audio Service Since 1964
        Specializing in Repair and Restoration of McIntosh Audio Equipment


            McIntosh Factory-Authorized Service Center

            Silver Full-Line McIntosh Service Center



            4345 West 127th Street
            Savage, Minnesota 55378

            Contact: (952) 894-5580
             or email us at McIntosh@ABsoundlabs.com




Absolute Sound Labs has been an authorized McIntosh Service facility since 1969. We service both in-warranty and out-of-warranty McIntosh products. Recently, McIntosh has limited their own in-house factory servicing of older tube and early solid-state equipment. Absolute Sound Labs was selected as one of a very limited number of McIntosh Service Clinics to handle these issues. Absolute Sound Labs is proud to be so highly regarded by the McIntosh company. We have the necessary technical information, parts and required test equipment to restore your McIntosh equipment to like-new condition. We would be more than happy to evaluate your McIntosh equipment.

While our new website continues its development, please contact us for further information not found here.


One of the most frequently asked questions, that we receive, is about what exactly is a RESTORATION and how does it differ from simply a REPAIR.

At our facility we offer two types of service. They are...

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REPAIR:

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A REPAIR is a service that addresses only specific failures in your equipment as well as other issues which cause problems in the operation of your equipment. Repairs include the following procedure:
1. Locating the defective components which are causing the problem or problems and replacing them.
2. Evaluating components, in the Power Supply circuitry, to ascertain if any potential problems may be manifesting themselves and replacing those parts involved with current, Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) approved components. It does not include any factory updates or updating certain components with newer, OEM certified components.
3. Repair includes cleaning of controls and switches as required.
4. Cleaning of unit. No Polycoat process is undertaken on a repair only.
5. The unit is then re-assembled and functionality of the areas of initial defect are verified to ascertain that the repair has corrected the defect or defects. The unit is then placed into a burn-in period, which varies from 24 to 48 hours, depending on the type of equipment. Certain equipment is also operated on our Cycler for more intensive burn-in. After burn-in the equipment is then re-assessed to insure that all repairs have been successful.
5. Absolute Sound Labs is a Certified Facility for the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and a Compliance Evaluation Facility for Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). As such, on applicable equipment, the AC Mains and Power supply circuitry is evaluated to insure compliance with applicable standards of UL, NFPA and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) insuring the safety of our Clients. Not all equipment will require this evaluation if manufactured within the United States or Canada.
7. Equipment that undergoes only a Repair carries a 90 day, limited warranty on both parts and labor for our work performed. The warranty does not apply to parts and labor for those devices which were not installed by us.

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RESTORATION:

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A RESTORATION is a service that, in addition to the procedures in a REPAIR, also includes the following services.
1. Removal of any non-factory modifications to restore the equipment to the condition it was initially designed so that a restoration can be started.
2. Replacement of all signal-level electrolytic capacitors with Panasonic FC Gold or Nichicon UUV or UUW, 105 degree devices.
3. Replacement of all coupling capacitors with Panasonic or Secor metal, poly type capacitors.
4. Replacement of all compensating capacitors with Panasonic, Nichicon or Secor Polyfilm devices.
5. Replacement of active semiconductors, where applicable, with new, updated OEM style devices. These devices are specified by several design engineers, such as James Bongiorno, who have experience in the design of audio equipment.
6. Replacement of any other devices deemed to be out of specification.
7. All circuit boards are cleaned of excess rosin and contaminates using industrial grade printed circuit board chemicals to insure the best possible operation of the circuitry. The complete interior is cleaned to remove dust and other collected matter.
8. All mounting screws, where electrical conduction is used, are replaced with new screws to eliminate any possible or intermittent circuit problems caused by oxidation or other contaminates.
9. All applicable adjustments, i.e., balance, offset and bias are set to applicable factory specifications where applicable. In addition, wherein a tuner is either the only device or an integrated part of the equipment, a complete alignment of AM/FM/Multiplex is done.
10.All cosmetic parts are removed and cleaned, using an ultrasonic cleaning process and/or various, special, industrial cleaning products. Where applicable, panel assemblies and cabinets are sealed in a commercial ultra-thin, clear, unique Hydrophobic Polymer compound to insure that additional deterioration of lettering and detail is minimized.
11.The unit is then re-assembled and all functions are verified to ascertain full functionality. The unit is then placed into a burn-in period which varies from 24 to 48 hours, depending on the type of equipment. Certain equipment is also operated on our Cycler for more intensive burn-in. After burn-in the equipment is then re-assessed to insure that all adjustments and alignments are correct and have not changed.
Equipment that undergoes a Full Restoration carries a one-year, 360- day, limited warranty to both the parts and labor covering our work performed. The warranty does not apply to parts and labor for those parts, which were not installed by us.
In both operations all replaced, defective parts are returned, and a detailed explanation of the work performed as well as a detailed tabulation of parts replaced are supplied to the Client for the Client's inspection and review.


I hope this sheds some light on the differences between Repair and Restoration. If you still have questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.