1. Home
  2. amps-preamps
  3. 197111-150037

Good idea to swap McIntosh amp stock tubes?

Having experienced a blinking red light issue with a Macintosh amplifier, I replaced the small tubes and for now seems to be fine

I have heard that mac stock tubes are used as part of the design process of the amplifier and the recommendation is not to swap the tubes with something else. The rationale is the amplifiers don't need tube modifications to alter the sound which has already been optimized.  Tube amplifiers that reflect sound changes when tube swapping occurs may not be designed very well. you shouldn't need to change out the tubes to improve sound of your amplifier.

Further because McIntosh amplifiers are so sensitive with all their built-in circuits that sense all kinds of voltage irregularities and power irregularities and tube irregularities, it may be risky to use tubes not designed for the amp.  McIntosh does not support using any tubes other than those that were designed for the amplifier.  

Interested in what people think about swapping out tubes for McIntosh amplifier and I'm talking about small tubes primarily right now. Do you really note changes that enhance the amplifier if you do swap out tubes? Is it a good idea to not use stock tubes?

emergingsoul
avanti1960
1,744 posts
 

@emergingsoul 

McIntosh used inexpensive new production tubes available in high volumes and voiced their amps and preamps as best they could.  

Using other types of tubes is probably not recommended but using other brands of the same tube type and spec should be no issue.  I suspect greatly that the sound can be improved by using other brands whether nos or new production. 

For example I swapped in a NOS pair of Amperex 12AX7 on my McIntosh tube preamp and I enjoy the sound much more.  

From what I gather McIntosh tubes are made by JJ for what it is worth. 

avanti1960
1,744 posts
 

@emergingsoul 

McIntosh used inexpensive new production tubes available in high volumes and voiced their amps and preamps as best they could.  

Using other types of tubes is probably not recommended but using other brands of the same tube type and spec should be no issue.  I suspect greatly that the sound can be improved by using other brands whether nos or new production. 

For example I swapped in a NOS pair of Amperex 12AX7 on my McIntosh tube preamp and I enjoy the sound much more.  

From what I gather McIntosh tubes are made by JJ for what it is worth. 

mlsstl
1,591 posts
 

No decently designed amplifier should suffer any adverse issues from replacing stock tubes with different brands as long as they are the same type of tube.  If you have a 12AX7 in a circuit, replace it with a 12AX7.  The amp will be in no danger of malfunction (unless the tube itself is defective). McIntosh should certainly qualify as a competently designed amp. 

Now, whether or not you like the sound quality better or not, or whether you have the same opinion as to whether the original tubes selected by McIntosh represent the best sound the amp can deliver, are wild cards. It's your amp so you're free to use the tubes you prefer. 

More to discover