McIntosh MR78 Value & Price History
As of 2026-09-21, a McIntosh MR78 has a market value at around $145; restored examples average $3,565, parts units around $73. Based on 204 estimated sales.
Is a parts unit worth buying?
The $73 parts price is $1,277 less than the $1,350 working asking price — a 95% gap. Whether that gap covers the cost of repair depends on what's wrong.
What "for parts" usually means for a amplifier: Integrated amplifiers listed for parts commonly have one dead channel, blown output stage, or failed power supply caps. Sometimes it's as simple as a bad speaker relay.
When it pencils out: Output stage repair runs $100–300 depending on whether replacements for the output transistors exist. A full service is $200–400. The $1,277 gap here makes repair financially reasonable if the amp is confirmed repairable.
When to walk away: An amp with a blown transformer or no available output transistor replacements is a parts donor, not a restoration candidate. Ask the seller what failed and whether any repair was attempted.
DIY vs shop: Speaker relay cleaning and fuse replacement are accessible DIY tasks. Anything touching the output stage needs a proper bench setup. Full repair cost context: what vintage stereo repair actually costs.
Price history
Asking median is down 14% over the last 45 days ($1,578 → $1,350).
View as table
| Date | Asking | Restored | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-08-08 | $1,578 | $1,700 | — |
| 2026-08-25 | $1,578 | $3,565 | — |
| 2026-08-28 | $1,637 | $3,565 | — |
| 2026-08-31 | $1,578 | $3,565 | $119 |
| 2026-09-03 | $1,578 | $3,565 | $145 |
| 2026-09-06 | $1,578 | $3,565 | $113 |
| 2026-09-09 | $1,578 | $3,565 | $113 |
| 2026-09-12 | $1,523 | $3,565 | $104 |
| 2026-09-15 | $1,523 | $3,565 | $95 |
| 2026-09-18 | $1,523 | $3,565 | $145 |
| 2026-09-21 | $1,350 | $3,565 | $145 |
Daily trimmed medians from qualifying eBay listings; days without a fresh sync are not plotted.
Specifications
| Years produced | 1972–1977 |
| Type | Amplifier |
| Brand | McIntosh |
| Original MSRP | 1,400 (1972) |
| Inflation-adjusted | ~$10,150 today |
| Market value (sold) | $145 |
| Currently listed (asking) | $1,350 |
| Restored value | $3,565 |
| Value vs MSRP | -4% |
Buying notes
McIntosh FM tuner, considered by many the best FM tuner McIntosh made. The front-end alignment is critical; a properly aligned MR78 is an high tuner; a drifted one is mediocre. Front-end alignment and recap $210-320. McIntosh service service documentation is available.
Parts & supplies
Common maintenance items for the McIntosh MR78. eBay links are model-specific searches; Amazon links are for generic supplies that work across most equipment.
- McIntosh MR78 capacitor recap kit on eBay →
- McIntosh MR78 replacement knobs on eBay →
- Fuses for the McIntosh MR78 on eBay →
- DeoxIT D5 — cleans oxidized contacts, quiets scratchy pots on Amazon →
- Multimeter — check DC offset before connecting speakers on Amazon →
- Speaker wire on Amazon →
Purchases through these links may earn StereoWorth a small commission at no extra cost to you. See our affiliate disclosure. Repair budgeting: what vintage stereo repair actually costs.
Comparable models
- McIntosh MC2105 $22
- McIntosh MA6200 $2,300
- McIntosh MC240 $4,500
Current listings
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