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  #11  
Old 05-26-2022, 09:02 PM
ycxc16588 ycxc16588 is offline
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I have been rolling tubes mostly signal tubes in my MC275 VI and can clear hear some differences. The difference that the signal tubes will make is in this order per my experience, V3/5(phase inverter 12AX7)>V2/6 (output drive 12AT7)>V1/V7 (buffer or cathode follower 12AT7)> power tube (KT88). Gold Lion Reissue 12AX7 sounds warm and lush, but not as transparent as NOS German tubes, such as Telefunken and Siemens. Siemens is less warmer than GL, but very smooth and more details. For 12AT7s, I have compared among GL, Siemens and Mullard (military style, made in UK in 60s). Mullard is the best since it is warmer than Siemens and with more details than GL. I plan to try Psvane KT88-T-MK II next since I have them in MC2301 and they sound very nice.
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  #12  
Old 05-27-2022, 09:37 AM
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Thank you for this valuable piece of information. I recently bought some “new” Telefunken (not original, rebranded) 12AX7 tubes I have yet to try. I am patiently awaiting a MC1502 amp I ordered in March. My 275 will be trade bait towards the 1502 - an instant $5K deduction in net $. I will wait until I have some listening time with the 1502 before I start to roll tubes but do expect the same type of results as the 275.
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  #13  
Old 05-27-2022, 09:01 PM
ycxc16588 ycxc16588 is offline
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Although people at McIntosh didn't really encourage tube rolling, undeniably tube rolling does make big difference in SQ especially with their tube preamp.
I had big success in rolling tubes in my main system (C2300, MC2301, Esoteric K-03, and Harbeth 40.2). When I first set up MC2301 with stock tubes and C2300 with Gold Lion reissue 12AX7 in line stage. The sound was not I would expected. There was too much distortion. At one point, I could not believe the MC2301 is $15000/pair amp.
I was inspired by Dan's MC2301 review so I replaced MC2301 stock tubes with NOS Siemens ECC81 and Psvane KT88-T-MK II premium. There was significant improvement of the SQ. Then I started experiencing various tubes for line stage in C2300. After reading Joe's tube lore, I didn't really bother with 12AX7 in line stage. Instead I tried various 5751 and 12AU7. The one I like the most is UK made Mullard M8136=12AU7WA. It is very smooth and warm and still tremendous details. Now my main system sounds really good. When I plugged MC275 back into my main system, I can immediately tell that MC275 VI is not MC2301. Now I have Mc275 VI in my study room with a fully restored MX110Z and a pair of Rogers studio 1A. I use dCS debussy for digital input. This system also sounds very sweet for a medium and small size room.
Tube rolling is addictive.
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  #14  
Old 05-28-2022, 05:47 AM
audioquest4life audioquest4life is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ycxc16588 View Post
. When I first set up MC2301 with stock tubes and C2300 with Gold Lion reissue 12AX7 in line stage. The sound was not I would expected. There was too much distortion. At one point, I could not believe the MC2301 is $15000/pair amp.
I was inspired by Dan's MC2301 review so I replaced MC2301 stock tubes with NOS Siemens ECC81 and Psvane KT88-T-MK II premium. There was significant improvement of the SQ. Then I started experiencing various tubes for line stage in C2300. After reading Joe's tube lore, I didn't really bother with 12AX7 in line stage. Instead I tried various 5751 and 12AU7. The one I like the most is UK made Mullard M8136=12AU7WA. It is very smooth and warm and still tremendous details.
Tube rolling is addictive.
Are you still using the NOS SIEMENS ECC81s and PSVANE KT88-t-MK II? Have you compared the Gold Lion KT88s with the PSVANE KT88s? What were your thoughts ?

Thanks,

Last edited by audioquest4life; 05-28-2022 at 05:51 AM.
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  #15  
Old 05-28-2022, 09:34 AM
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I haven't done any tube rolling in my new MC1502 (and don't plan to any time soon), but I have rolled in some other tube gear. From memory I found, to my ears, original (NOS or used) Tele's offer the best treble air and top end sparkle. My ears are fading a bit, so I really like that aspect of the sound. The RCA blackplates offer a very smooth and tuneful midrange, but with a darker top end. They're great to help tone down a forward or bright speaker, i.e. horn loaded.

I also noticed that when I rolled out a set of new manufacture Tung Sol 6550's for a set of new manufacture Svetlana 6550's, the amp got notably cooler in sound. It seemed to have lost that tube warmth that I actually liked more.

Don't know much about the Chinese tube, but would be interested to hear of other users real world experience with them.

Kevin, maybe now that the MC275 is on its way out, while you wait on the new 1502, it might not be a bad idea to give the new Tele's a spin on the 275 since you're so well acquainted with its sound. Might give you a glimpse in what to expect when it's big brother finally arrives.
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  #16  
Old 05-28-2022, 05:21 PM
ycxc16588 ycxc16588 is offline
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Yes, I still have Psvane KT88-T-MK II and Siemens ECC81 in my MC2301. I have not compared Psvane vs Gold Lion reissue since tube rolling 16 KT88 in a pair of MC2301 is a bit costly. I may do it in MC275.
Psvane products have may different classes. The quality can vary significantly. Their top-end KT88 is Treasure MK II premium. I bought them from TAD in Germany.
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  #17  
Old 05-29-2022, 10:45 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ycxc16588 View Post
Yes, I still have Psvane KT88-T-MK II and Siemens ECC81 in my MC2301. I have not compared Psvane vs Gold Lion reissue since tube rolling 16 KT88 in a pair of MC2301 is a bit costly. I may do it in MC275.
Psvane products have may different classes. The quality can vary significantly. Their top-end KT88 is Treasure MK II premium. I bought them from TAD in Germany.
Are the KT88 Shuguang Black Bottle Treasure tubes any good? You used to be able to buy them in sets of quads with a nice presentation box, but I haven't seen that available lately.
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