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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
chickenoregg
39 posts
 

 

@faustuss 

My bad. Let me make that up to you.

Here's a code for all the free JJ tubes you might ever want: 5687. It's an in-store only promo code though, so you'd have to drive to my shop to use it. When you arrive, make sure you park in the back. After you've entered the code, make sure you kind of tug on the lock hard enough (sometimes it seizes up with whatever kind of disgusting ooze the crackheads have slobbered all over it) otherwise the dumpster won't open and you'll have wasted even more of my time.

 

westcoastaudiophile
819 posts
 

sooo.. based on couple of of “tube experts” opinions, conclusion is a McIntosh engineering design team is clueless when the time is to pick tubes? LOL

JJ tubes (former Tesla) are just fine, just need to test them properly, before plugging in, as any other brands. I have Luxman state of the art MQ88uC amp, and replaced original Luxman tubes with preselected JJ ones, without any problems, measured / listened! 

rbonick
1 posts
 

I’ve owned the 275 and currently have the 1502.  In my experience, the stock tubes are not the best.  In both amps, the Sophia Electric KT88s were a huge improvement.  I’ve been using NOS Mullards for the 12ax7 and 12at7 for years with no issues.

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rja's avatar
rja
2,402 posts
 

Tube rolling is like opening a large can of worms that may not have an ending.

While some enjoy the quest, for others it can turn into an obsession, an expensive one.

Sometimes it’s best to leave well enough alone.

Just a warning, beware of following Alice into the rabbit hole and avoid the need to join Tube Rollers Anonymous.

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