Got my vintage McIntosh MC-30 monoblocks yesterday!

Steve, I can only comment on the 8B with Sventlana EL-34's as I haven't been able to snag any Mullards at a decent price, yet.

I have the 8B hooked to a 7 classic Pre with an SA-1 and don't find the combo bright at all. In fact, it sounds dynamic and balanced with great Bass esp. with Rock and Jazz. Your "Willie And the Poor Boys" SACD in on heavy rotation with this combo!

But Frank and Dino just don't have the magic for me with this set-up. Which brings us back to the 30's again!

One more twist: How do SET amps compare as far a midrange magic?

 

Hi Dean,

Sorry to be OT - but how did you get on with that Realistic tuner (all tube) ?

MarkM.

PS - SET amps do have a special something - I can only comment on some of the models from Cary. Clean(er) mains pays big dividends with (for e.g.) 300B amps. I run both vintage PP and modern 300B kit.

 

Mark, Haven't got the tuner,yet but it's on it's way!

I'll let everyone know when I see it in person.

 

Hi Dean,

Congrats! I bet ya would like the pairing of the first release C-20 w/ your 30's.

Enjoy,
Jeffrey

 

Bet I would!

It sounds "right" with the C22, though.

 

Hi Dean,

I hear ya! I also stongly prefer to pair vintage McIntosh amps w/ Mac preamps.

Happy listenin',
Jeffrey

 

Small update:
I replaced the 5U4GB rectifer tubes with some "St" bottle 40's vintage 5U4G's that my friend (and fellow forum menber) Bill had lying around. It seems to has "sped" up the amp somewhat to the point where rock 'n roll is sounding pretty darn good right now. They look really cool too, like a 300b tube.

I had these things on almost non-stop for a week now and they just sound better and better!

 

Steve, yeah I figured I would try them for the heck of it. They are Phillips brand 5U4G's and they seem to really sound good. Pehaps it was a combo effect because I took out the RCA 6l6Gc's that came with the amp and put in the GE's I had in my 240 at the same time.

I'll go back and retry the GB's.

We'll see if that changes over time.

 

Steve, I just had to go back and figure out why the 5U4G's sounded better. I tested both GB's on my tube tester (the only tubes I didn't test when I got the amps) and low and behold one is just above the min mark and the other is just below.

Could the fact that the GB's are weak cause the slowness in the amps? The "coke bottle" tubes both test well into the green.

 

Will do!