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.
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....
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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? 😆
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.
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.
