Modular Component Systems 3701 Am Fm Stereo Tuner Reviews

1. My son recently picked upward an MCS 3253 reciever at our local Goodwill. I doubtable that a cap may be responsible for an intermittent crackling in the left channel. The unit has been throughly cleaned with Deoxit. The tuner in this thing is nothing curt of amazing..at least to me. It pulls in FM that our Pioneer SX 1050 doesn't and it does it without an antenna. Can anyone assist me with finding the schematics for this receiver? I call up I take a keeper here...

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2. If y'all can truly dominion out dingy controls, so I would examine the excursion boards for a cold solder articulation. If all solder joints pass inspection, I would suspect a bad transistor on the main amp board. Probably not a final output, but ane of the other transistors in the left channel.

   Schematics for the receiver came as a middle fold out diagram in the owners manual. As well, the amp department of the 3253 is identical to the NEC AUA-7000E integrated amp (and MCS 3847), if that helps in your search.

   The 3253 is a fine receiver - it flies under almost peoples radar. I accept two of them, and similar them very much. If you lot like the tuner department, it is identical to the NEC AUT-7000E, which was besides sold as the MCS 3700 & 3701. To really blow your socks off, track down a MCS 3710 tuner (NEC AUT-8000E), and requite it a heed. Much better performance, and it also is on no ane's radar. I use 1 in my main system.

3. Schematics

   Cheers so much for the info! Seems that this MCS stuff is almost taboo to talk about. I'm checking out that 3701 for sure. As I said before...the tuner department definitely grabbed my attention and a close friend of mine is tracking downward my problem as I peck. I'll continue y'all posted!

4. No problem - I hope you lot track downwardly the event. You can skip checking out the 3701 (since that's what you lot essentially already have) and become later a 3710. More than sensitive, selective, and quieter than the 3701. They prove up on ebay every and then often. I recollect there is i on there now - in silverish. It as well came in black. (no affiliation).

   Or skip the 3710, and go right to the head of the class, and await for a MCS 3125 receiver. Great tuner section, and an amp department that may make you lot sell your big Pioneer. Seriously. That statement may make many readers express joy, but until you've heard a 3125, you simply have no clue.

   And aye, talking well-nigh MCS on AK is a little taboo. So many people associate MCS with JCPenney, and that MUST mean it'southward junk. But search through the many MCS threads, and try to find an owner that has anything simply positive things to say about it (other than the sometimes odd styling). :yep:

5. Sleepers can exist created by four main things:

   i. A visitor that isn't associated with the "Large" manufacturers at the time and simply getting a pocket-size amount of positioning in an already overwhelmed market.

   two. A visitor that is strictly associated with going for entry level only actually producing gems.

   3. A re-branding inside a "less than stellar" make that subcontracted the supply for them to retail themselves.... OMG what garbage! "JC Penny" is king here.

   4. More than modern "black" that is not BPC.

   I've caput to caput compared NEC/MCS receivers with almost every other make and at that place never is a incertitude on how squeamish they are. The looks are unconventional, but I find them to be absolutely beautiful in a lite industrial way and they will stand out favorably to most eyes and most importantly mine. The sound has a calorie-free warm/class to it that spits detail out in a very forward creaminess/with "highlighting sparkle" intended by "Downtown Tokyo NEC". A wonderful lush audio that is special to my ears and it can kick out some "Glory Gear" (for long stretches).

   Rob said it all in saying people have no inkling and it will continue these being groovy finds for those who do have one. (A 3125 is a dream machine that has withal to cross my path to really own but a bud of mine has one and information technology is a cornerstone for him.)

   Final edited: January 19, 2015
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6. bd1886, you ability to draw the "NEC audio" is spot on - much meliorate than what I would have come up up with. Also, your break down of "sleepers". I may add that while MCS has their share of sleepers, as a whole, they are an splendid "bang for your buck" make.

   I try to rails all MCS auctions on ebay, and am impressed that some pieces are now commanding large prices. A 3275 receiver just sold for $435 plus nearly $l for shipping. That has to be some record. That'south more than nearly every 3125 I've tracked. Fifty-fifty pristine condition 3253s are gaining a lot of ground. The 3865 is a superb dual mono integrated amp, notwithstanding it's been awhile since I've seen one come up in a truthful auction. Many have (too) high BIN prices or starting bids, which is a shame.

   Well-nigh other nice MCS pieces still can exist had very inexpensive. Besides the already mentioned 3710 tuner, the 3730 tuner is every bit dainty (just is tiny in size) and nobody notices information technology. The 3872 integrated amp is a powerhouse at 110 wpc and sounds VERY squeamish, yet it gets no love considering of it's looks. The 3040 10 band graphic EQ is excellent, and sells for very fiddling. It is a rebadged Yamaha GE-three (did Yamaha make their own EQs?), still nobody seems to care. It wears the MCS curse, and then it sells for a small fraction of what the Yamaha sells for.

   To actually appreciate the "NEC sound", track down a NEC A-10II integrated amp. Give it a thorough listen, and so compare it to a MCS 3125. They are both statement pieces, yet sound different. I use a A-10II in my main arrangement, and pull out my 3125 for special listening sessions. I dear them both, simply for different reasons.

   I forgot to mention that the MCS 3253 is simply a rebadged NEC AUR-8055. A service transmission may be more easily tracked down with that info.

7. I had a very nice sounding and quite attractive MCS 3260 receiver.I don't recall information technology is taboo just misconceptions about MCS.

8. The sleepers that I have to appreciate hold a special spot with me. Instant A/Bing takes away any stupid prejudging we all do and has made me realize and ingratiate truths that are non e'er about accuracy lone.

   It justifiably boils down to our all important personal taste (which should never demand any justification) but all I can say is when my group is pushing those switching buttons......smiles always become to the NEC sound.
   You thinking of cross referencing to the NEC models was huge Rob!
   Staying on top of what stuff is going for (in all of information technology'due south atmospheric condition) is function of this hobby too and wise......sleepers demand some extra left on the table until they fully either come up out of their slumber, or true work has been washed to 'em. When you lot buy them smart, it's merely a huge win and they are the best kind of salve in my books. (I'd love to go off on the sleepers I love, but this thread is about MCS/NEC, and tin only tell you all, the best are right in that location in the summit.) Dey duz be da shnitzel.

   Final edited: Jan 25, 2015
9. 

   goodolpg Just an old fart trying to assist. Subscriber

   Non to brag, (ok, I'thousand bragging), I got my 3125 for $169 a couple years ago.
   A very reasonable BIN price and a list that was mayhap 1 hour old.
   SCORE!
   It had the usual channel drib outs from dirty switches/controls. About 3 hours with some disassembly aid from a thread hither at AK and some deoxit fixed it.

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10. And THAT, sir, is how it's washed! :yes: Excellent cost!

    My 3125 story is nearly identical, except that mine was an auction with an opening bid of $90 or BIN at $115 plus $20 shipping. I was the third person to view the auction, and I clicked the BIN equally fast as I could. It also had channel driblet outs - and Deoxit came to the rescue.

    I run most a dozen of my saved searches on ebay many times throughout the day - hoping to find that elusive score. Persistence seems to pay off. :thmbsp:

11. 

    goodolpg Just an old fart trying to help. Subscriber

12. I have the Canadian version called the NEC AUR-8075. Mint Status. Packing boxes, manuals, everything. It's black face up. My dad purchased it brand new along with Altec Model 9 series ll speakers back in 1977. The matter is a creature.

13. 

    goodolpg Just an former fart trying to help. Subscriber

    I like the 3275'due south (and the black face AUR-8075 is sweet) only really don't care for the xanthous tint of the power meter lights.
    I wonder if different bulbs could be used to change that.

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14. That's not bragging.OK....it is. Congrats on finding that for such a skillful price and feel no envy. (OK....mayhap I practise.) Enjoy and what a smart pounce!

15. 

    goodolpg Just an old fart trying to help. Subscriber

    My MCS is being serviced so I'm currently using my Lafayette LR-120DB that I purchased iv years ago for $150.
    Saw one of those sell on ebay over the weekend for $340.

    There's at least two MCS 3275's on ebay right now.
    Asking prices on those are college than comparable units a yr or 2 ago.
    I wonder if any of that is due to discussions such as this i.

16. I have a 3253 also as a 3260 and they are fine receivers simply the buttons and pots tin can get quite scratchy. I take had to clean my 3253 quite a few times. Make certain everything is clean before you lot do anything else to it. My turntable buttons take been a existent problem spot for me to proceed cleaned.

17. I think the sellers of the two 3275s on ebay now just saw the one that sold for $435 concluding week, and are capitalizing on information technology'southward high cost - hoping their'southward too become for a large amount. I already has an opening bid of $299, which is insane. That never would happen before.

    I call up the price of the 3275s are cyclical. All it takes is 2 bidders who Really want one to push the cost mode upward. They normally max out at about $200, depending on condition.

    A few years back, the black faced NEC AUR-8075 showed upwards on ebay out of Washington state. I was expecting information technology to go for a large amount, merely information technology sold for around $sixty plus shipping. Very surprising, to me. I should have bid on it, only I have absolutely no utilise for it. I already have a few 3865s and 3710s, and when put together, have far superior performance than the NEC AUR-8075 (MCS 3275), even though the 3865 amp has x fewer wpc.

    What I would like to come across is a black faced MCS 3125. When cleaning mine, and the face is removed, the color behind the face is blackness. I think information technology looks absurd.

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18. 

    goodolpg Just an one-time fart trying to help. Subscriber

    JMO, that first (early) bid is a identify holder. Meant to ensure the sale runs to completion with no revisions (price wise).
    I could swear I saw another big Lafayette with a $199 BIN and free aircraft listed yesterday. Looked again today, price is at present $355. Certain plenty, one revision...the BIN price.
    Often it seems the same person who places the get-go, early on bid, ends upward winning the item although they may have to pay more at the end. Unless the final cost goes crazy.
    I feel early bids (unless shill behest and that'due south a whole 'nother topic) by and large tend to run the price up.
    Myself, I prefer BIN if it'south what I feel is a reasonable price. Or sniping at the end.

    BTW--I have two MCS 3125 pages bookmarked: Classic Receivers and "Sonnys" folio.
    Is that your work?

19. No, I'm more of an "MCS Lonely Wolf". All my info. comes from JC Penney catalogs, brochures, and from the many, many pieces I've owned over the years. I may exist mistaken, but I call up Sonny'due south Folio is the work of AK'er "MCS Guy". He hasn't posted in a very long fourth dimension.

    I should have a website with MCS info. on information technology, but it would be a lot of work. When I joined AK in 2008, at that place was a lot of mis-data floating effectually nearly dissimilar MCS pieces, and 'who made what' questions. I tried to correct what I could as I went along, and still effort to assistance out when I can. Thankfully, there are others on AK with a lot of MCS knowledge, too.

20. All the input hither is mucho appreciated! If anyone at all tin can join me in my search for the schematics on the 3253 I would exist happy to make it worth your while. I am very intriqued by this MCS gear!

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