MC2301 amplifiers - Tube rolling 12AT7's

[jdandy]

The Gold Lion 12AT7's are making great music in the 2301's. I knew there was a reason I had no burning desire to swap them. They sound fantastic.

[jfray]

Dan,

That was a great review!!! I don't have a tube amp but it sure looks like a lot of fun. I need to read up on how these tubes are made and the differences between them. I am truly curious about this....

What is the range in MSRP between each of the brands you tested? Gold Lions seem to be the winner (price/performance)...

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by jfray

Dan,
That was a great review!!! I don't have a tube amp but it sure looks like a lot of fun. I need to read up on how these tubes are made and the differences between them. I am truly curious about this....

What is the range in MSRP between each of the brands you tested? Gold Lions seem to be the winner (price/performance)...

Josh.......The new reissued Gold Lion 12AT7 and 12AX7 tubes run between $34.00 to $40.00 each depending on who you purchase them from. The older tubes are all over the board with pricing. Used 12AT7 and 12AX7 Telefunken tubes can be $80 to $100 each if they test strong, and providing the tube seller is reputable and honest. Believe me when I tell you, that is a big IF. There are many tube sellers lying through their teeth about the quality and authenticity of old stock tubes. If you can find brand new old stock Telefunken 12AT7 or 12AX7 tubes, they can run up to $350.00 a pair. The last pair of used Telefunken 12AX7 tubes I bought from a tube seller in Germany cost me $100.00 each. As you can see, tube rolling can get expensive quick. It's also another reason why the price of the excellent Gold Lion reissued tubes is such a good value for audio buffs.

[jfray]

So this could get expensive quick but would you typically replace all of the tubes. Or just the driver tubes like in your "experiment"

Since you are running all Gold Lions I think I know the answer, but assumption is the Mother of all (you know what!).

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by jfray

So this could get expensive quick but would you typically replace all of the tubes. Or just the driver tubes like in your "experiment"

Since you are running all Gold Lions I think I know the answer, but assumption is the Mother of all (you know what!).

Josh.......I did replace all the tubes. I have 16 McIntosh stock KT88 tubes and four McIntosh stock 12AT7 tubes sitting in my tube cabinet. I have right at $1000.00 in new Gold Lion tubes in my MC2301's.

Like I said in my tube review here, the Gold Lion KT88's are keepers, all 16 of them. They sound amazing, and walk all over the McIntosh stock tube's performance. There are only two driver tubes per amplifier, so changing those to another manufacturer isn't quite as costly providing I don't go with NOS tubes from the late 60's, early 70's.

[Masterlu]

Great work Dan, another invaluable thread for the 2301 club.

[jfray]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Josh.......I did replace all the tubes. I have 16 McIntosh stock KT88 tubes and four McIntosh stock 12AT7 tubes sitting in my tube cabinet. I have right at $1000.00 in new Gold Lion tubes in my MC2301's.

Like I said in my tube review here, the Gold Lion KT88's are keepers, all 16 of them. They sound amazing, and walk all over the McIntosh stock tube's performance. There are only two driver tubes per amplifier, so changing those to another manufacturer isn't quite as costly providing I don't go with NOS tubes from the late 60's, early 70's.

Thanks Dan!!!!

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

Great work Dan, another invaluable thread for the 2301 club.

Ivan.......Thank you. All in a days listening.

[MyPal]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Josh.......The new reissued Gold Lion 12AT7 and 12AX7 tubes run between $34.00 to $40.00 each depending on who you purchase them from. The older tubes are all over the board with pricing. Used 12AT7 and 12AX7 Telefunken tubes can be $80 to $100 each if they test strong, and providing the tube seller is reputable and honest. Believe me when I tell you, that is a big IF. There are many tube sellers lying through their teeth about the quality and authenticity of old stock tubes. If you can find brand new old stock Telefunken 12AT7 or 12AX7 tubes, they can run up to $350.00 a pair. The last pair of used Telefunken 12AX7 tubes I bought from a tube seller in Germany cost me $100.00 each. As you can see, tube rolling can get expensive quick. It's also another reason why the price of the excellent Gold Lion reissued tubes is such a good value for audio buffs.

Dan... great review & interesting comparison. No doubt, GL reissues is the safest & most economical path & we are so lucky to have access to a fine reproduction.

The German guy wants EU1,000 Euro for each TFK ECC803S. He claims he can get NOS with one of these still in its original sealed cellophane. These are crazy ridiculous prices but some people are forking out now because of their rarity. Those baby boomers that already have them in their store are very lucky. I believe TD still have a number of ECC801S NOS from around 1967-1968 at very fair prices. I'm glad you enjoyed these & agree with your findings.

I also experienced an overall increase in resolution as well.

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by MyPal

Dan... great review & interesting comparison. No doubt, GL reissues is the safest & most economical path & we are so lucky to have access to a fine reissue production.

The German guy wants EU1,000 Euro for each TFK ECC803S. He claims he can get NOS with one of these still in its original sealed cellophane. These are crazy ridiculous prices but some people are forking out now because of their rarity. Those baby boomers that already have them in their store are very lucky. I believe TD still have a number of ECC801S NOS from around 1967-1968 at very fair prices. I'm glad you enjoyed these & agree with your findings.

I also experienced an overall increase in resolution as well.

Steve.......I'm going to see what I can do. One thing is for sure, I won't be buying from the German guy. At that price, he can sit on the EU1,000 Euro Telefunken until it magically turns into a suppository and disappears upward.