More newbie tube questions


So far so good with my McIntosh MC275 but I had a few more tube questions:

On power up one of the KT88 tubes and a couple of the smaller input tubes flash for a second then settle into the orange glow. All the other tubes in both amps just sort of "wake up" to the orange glow. I tried swapping the tubes and it's the socket. Whichever tube is in those sockets "flash" on power up. Nothing is wrong with the sound or performance (based upon my 6 day experience level) Should I be concerned?

Second, I ordered a complete set of Svetlana Winged C KT88 tubes. Each amp takes 4 and I received 6 with a bias point of 45 and 2 have a bias of 44. According to the McIntosh literature, the MC275 is self-biasing. Since I have NO IDEA what ANY of this means, is it a problem that 2 of the tubes are "off" by one unit? Is this the correct bias for this amp?

Last, the small output tubes say 12AX7A but all I could find are 12AX7 (no A). Is there a difference? I plan on using the Ei Grey plate tubes for these - do they have to be balanced and/or matched? I'm running both amps in mono with the RCA inputs.

On the same vein, I'm also looking to change the 12AT7 to NOS Mullards. Opinions please.

Thank you again for your help. I think this will set me up for awhile.
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A 12AX7A is somehow enhanced from a 12AX7. In general a higher letter will work in an aplication designed for a lower letter but not always the other way. Unfortunately there is no standard for what the letters mean. It could be a higher voltage rating, a higher power rating, or just about anything. I wouldn't worry about it.

I wouldn't worry about the bias numbers on the new tubes.

Now to the arcing. I have worked on hundreds of tube amps and the vast majority of the time I've seen a tube arc it is the tube, not where it is placed in the amp (the socket.) Are you sure about this?? Is the arcing amp the one that blew the fuse?

If a particular tube flashes a bit when it warms up then that is probably OK as long it isn't arcing to the point that it is blowing fuses. If it really is true that any tube will flash when placed in a particular socket and doesn't in another socket then something is wrong with the amp. Some amps have circuits that ramp the voltages up slowly to avoid arcing. If that circuit is defective then I could see it arcing no matter what tube is installed.
Hi Herman,

No, it was the other amp that blew the fuse and I know why it did that. I think it may only be the small output tubes and the reflection makes one of the KT88 look like it's flashing as well. It's frankly very hard to see through the tube cage and the flash is so fast. I would take the cage off for better visuals but the manual says to never ever run the amp without the tube cages in place so I haven't tried. I'll try moving the tubes to the other amp tonight and I'll be able to see if it's the amp or the tubes. I'm 75% sure it's the tubes and what I think I'm seeing is a combination of paranoia and glass reflections.

I just ordered new output tubes: the Ei 12AX7 smooth or grey plate matched and the NOS Mullard 12AT7 all matched but not balanced. I already received my Winged C KT88 so I'll be good to swap out the Mc tubes this weekend. I also bought silicon tube dampers. I've done all I can think of to set me off on the right path.

If I've done soomething wrong, please tell me. If I haven't mentioned it already, you and others have been life savers. I can't thank you enough - REALLY THANK YOU!!!!
You are wise to read the manual and to be careful around fragile glass bottles wth high voltage inside, but the tube cage is designed to keep you from dropping things in and breaking the tubes and to keep small children and pets from falling in. Removing it for a bit so you can get a better look won't hurt a thing unless you press your nose against one of the big tubes and burn it. Put the cage back on when you are done having a look.
Yes, it's just the tubes not the socket. And it's coming from 2 of the small output tubes not the KT88s. I guess that's alright then. One problem solved. Now I have a crackling/popping in one speaker issue (same amp - maybe it's a lemon?) that cropped up after swapping around the input tubes. I can't figure out if it's the mechanical gain control, an output tube, something left-over from the pre-amp, or the speaker. Will try to isolate this weekend. Otherwise the system really is blowing me away with their liquid sound.