Need troubleshooting advice for a MC275-v6

[McMan]

Funny how time can change one's opinion. I used to prefer the MC275vi to the MC452. Now I am having trouble going back to the MC275vi. I love how quiet and powerful the MC452 is in my system.

I love being able to switch back and forth easily. I totally understand why people love them both. I sure do.

I will order some new signal tube, and see if I notice any important in the noise level.

[paltomare]

Just an update.
I'm on day 3 or 4 post tube swap and the distortion has not yet returned.
I heard from Jordan at McIntosh earlier today. He suggested getting the tubes tested..says if one is beginning to fail the swap will only be a temp fix. I'm hoping I'll be lucky and reseating them is all that was needed, as Glenn pointed out. Either way, I get another set to have on hand. Gold Lions and Sophia Electric seem like popular alternatives but I suppose that's a discussion for another thread. I asked Jordan if he could recommend a quality tester but unfortunately he could not and said they don't have any there....which seems strange to me, I would have thought they tested every tube before installing them. Thanks again for the advice all.

[FreddieFerric]

Originally Posted by paltomare

Just an update.
I'm on day 3 or 4 post tube swap and the distortion has not yet returned.
I heard from Jordan at McIntosh earlier today. He suggested getting the tubes tested..says if one is beginning to fail the swap will only be a temp fix. I'm hoping I'll be lucky and reseating them is all that was needed, as Glenn pointed out. Either way, I get another set to have on hand. Gold Lions and Sophia Electric seem like popular alternatives but I suppose that's a discussion for another thread. I asked Jordan if he could recommend a quality tester but unfortunately he could not and said they don't have any there....which seems strange to me, I would have thought they tested every tube before installing them. Thanks again for the advice all.

Have a look at this thread over in the general discussion forum.

https://www.audioaficionado.org/showthread.php?t=24278

If you're planning on staying in the tube game for an appreciable amount of time I think these two testers will be invaluable tools to have.

[paltomare]

Originally Posted by FreddieFerric

Have a look at this thread over in the general discussion forum.

https://www.audioaficionado.org/showthread.php?t=24278

If you're planning on staying in the tube game for an appreciable amount of time I think these two testers will be invaluable tools to have.

Thanks for the link, I hope to always have at least one tube system to enjoy, plus I could use these for my guitar amps.

[Formerly YB-2]

Originally Posted by paltomare

Just an update.
I'm on day 3 or 4 post tube swap and the distortion has not yet returned.
I heard from Jordan at McIntosh earlier today. He suggested getting the tubes tested..says if one is beginning to fail the swap will only be a temp fix. I'm hoping I'll be lucky and reseating them is all that was needed, as Glenn pointed out. Either way, I get another set to have on hand. Gold Lions and Sophia Electric seem like popular alternatives but I suppose that's a discussion for another thread. I asked Jordan if he could recommend a quality tester but unfortunately he could not and said they don't have any there....which seems strange to me, I would have thought they tested every tube before installing them. Thanks again for the advice all.

Good to read. My second favorite tube when I had a MC275 MkIV was the Winged-C 6550. To my ears, a bit better mid-range than the KT-88 if you are into vocals. Surprisingly, I've found the GEC KT-88 to be as good as the GL. As always, YMMV.
Will guess that McIntosh has full testing at the vendor as part of their purchase agreement so no need to test at their end. If they plug in a tube and it is a problem they just swap in another and return the bad tube.

[FreddieFerric]

Originally Posted by Formerly YB-2

Good to read. My second favorite tube when I had a MC275 MkIV was the Winged-C 6550. To my ears, a bit better mid-range than the KT-88 if you are into vocals. Surprisingly, I've found the GEC KT-88 to be as good as the GL. As always, YMMV.
Will guess that McIntosh has full testing at the vendor as part of their purchase agreement so no need to test at their end. If they plug in a tube and it is a problem they just swap in another and return the bad tube.

Yes. And that vendor is still a mystery. I think Ivan knows, but he won't crack.

[McMan]

Originally Posted by paltomare

Just an update.
I'm on day 3 or 4 post tube swap and the distortion has not yet returned.
I heard from Jordan at McIntosh earlier today. He suggested getting the tubes tested..says if one is beginning to fail the swap will only be a temp fix. I'm hoping I'll be lucky and reseating them is all that was needed, as Glenn pointed out. Either way, I get another set to have on hand. Gold Lions and Sophia Electric seem like popular alternatives but I suppose that's a discussion for another thread. I asked Jordan if he could recommend a quality tester but unfortunately he could not and said they don't have any there....which seems strange to me, I would have thought they tested every tube before installing them. Thanks again for the advice all.

Which tubes did you end up swapping?

[paltomare]

I just switched the V8L and V10R tubes, and the V9L and V11R tubes. I've pushed it quite a bit harder since swapping and still no distortion. I'm going to pick up a MixMatcher II and test all 4 tubes. I'm also going to buy a spare set of KT-88's to keep on hand.

[FreddieFerric]

Originally Posted by paltomare

I just switched the V8L and V10R tubes, and the V9L and V11R tubes. I've pushed it quite a bit harder since swapping and still no distortion. I'm going to pick up a MixMatcher II and test all 4 tubes. I'm also going to buy a spare set of KT-88's to keep on hand.

Excellent. Please let us know your firsthand opinion of the tester once you get it up and running.

[McMan]

Thank you!