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Dared MC-7P optimal tubes

Have one of these now and it is amazing. Stock 12ax7 tubes were way too soft so I popped a matched pair of Tung-Sol and a pair of Philips in place. Sound became WIDE and more accurate. Swapping the 5u4 with a NOS RCA improved inner detailing and removed muddiness in the bass and midbass. It's getting amazingly accurate for its modest price, esp. with cellos where it almost totally nails the timbre.

It sounds like it oscillates just a smidge (you really got to listen hard for this) and a tidge of sibilance remains.

So before I spring for a real set of good tubes, what combinations have found success in this low-cost wonder?

Matching it to a restored/upgraded McIntosh MC-2100 (toroid transformer, regulator in front end, caps, wiring, etc.). Input Z on the 2100 is now 100k fixed instead of 50k variable.
inline_phil
marcopolo_eg
1 posts
 
I have the MC-7P with only the 5Z3P swapped with a NOS RCA 5U5G. Why did you use two different pairs for the four 12AX7's? Did it matter where you placed them? I want to try more myself, but not sure where to start. Tom in Tucson
vetnik
23 posts
 
the first 2 (on the left) are the preamp tubes. the last two (on the right)are the phonostage tubes. If you don't use the mc7p phono stage you can use the preamp with only the first 2 tubes in place!

Nikos
casouza
239 posts
 
Nikos, I suggest that you call the distributor and make sure that the Dared preamp has a regulated heater supply for the 12ax7 tubes.
A plain, unregulated DC supply (as found in 95% of tube preamps) will shoot up 20% if you remove two tubes. The line stage tubes will not last long.
It is safer to plug two inexpensive tubes in the phono stage, if you have no use for it.

Phil, try Phillips Holland or Amperex 12ax7 / ecc83 to get rid of the sibilance.
Also, Herbie's labs dampers may help reduce microphonics, which subjectively increases treble distortion.
Have fun!
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