2. amps-preamps
  3. 169154-67981

McIntosh MC275 VI preamp tubes

I can tell that one or more of the preamp tubes (12ax7 and 12at7) are starting to get weak...the music is starting to sound a bit muddled and not quite as clear as it used to be.  I need to replace one or some or all.  I am looking for suggestions for tubes.  I love NOS RCA tubes, but they are getting harder to find and a bit pricier than they used to be.  Has anyone tried the Golden Lion, and/or the newer black diamond telefunken?  I think I tried Tung-Sol, but didn’t care for them much.  I’m open to suggestions, I’d like to keep the price roughly around $50/tube.  
I have golden lion KT88 that still seem to be going strong.  My system is:

CD Player : Marantz SA8005
Preamp:  Krell KSP 7B
Streamer:  Cambridge Audio CXN (V2)
Speakers:  B&W683

Any suggestions would be helpful.  Thanks !!!
jbeckley42

Showing 2 responses by oldhvymec

oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 
# 1 Telefunken or RCA (I don't trust to many of them any more RCAs)
Valvo, Mullard, Mazda, Marconi (Expensive) or Tungrsram (Expensive). Then Tung sol, GE, GL (not a big fan of their little valves) Sylvania (always bright).. GL KT66,77,88s good stuff, great sound.. KT66 in particular..

Regards
oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 
Why not buy exact replacements? I may be counterculture in an audio forum but what’s wrong with the date you brought?

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Because anything is better than the current stock Mcintosh super cheap Chinese valves they sell at 100 times the price THEY paid.. Talk about CHEAP valves.. Under 5.00 each in bulk. 3.00 usd, is more likely.

But there are people in some countries trying to sell them for 2-4k. because of the 10.00 wooded box they come in, and the word Mcintosh burnt in the wood.. 300.00 usd worth of CHEAP valves at best.. JUNK..
The shipping cost more than the actual valves..

Regards..
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