The bulb eater (?)

[sgbroimp]

Getting ready to replace all 10 bulbs in my MC 202. All but a couple are shot. Looked up my work order from last time this was done and was surprised to see it was only 4 years ago that all 10 were replaced. My MC 7104 on the other hand never seems to need bulbs, had them in there for a good decade or more. Is there maybe some issue with my 202 that it's frying its bulbs, any voltage points I should check for example?

[tdelahanty]

First thing I would look at is the bulbs, are they made in China?

[sgbroimp]

Originally Posted by tdelahanty

First thing I would look at is the bulbs, are they made in China?

Will look but they came out of Mc's parts department so I assumed they were as good as one could get and correct for the task.

[crwilli]

My MC7106 needs a ‘bulb overhaul’. It’s a project I have been putting off since the Amp is in a cabinet and I don’t have to look at it. My soldering skills are mediocre at best.

[sgbroimp]

Originally Posted by crwilli

My MC7106 needs a ‘bulb overhaul’. It’s a project I have been putting off since the Amp is in a cabinet and I don’t have to look at it. My soldering skills are mediocre at best.

Any idea how long those bulbs have been in there?

[MORTIS]

I had an MC202 for about 4 years. I loved that amp and at the time believed I would keep it for many more years. I had to change all 10 bulbs as soon as it arrived (bulbs purchased from McIntosh). 4 years later they started burning out.
I might not have minded so much if it weren't for the fact that the bulbs are solder-in type, and several are in difficult locations.

I ended up selling the amp because I never wanted to go through that hassle again.

[crwilli]

Originally Posted by sgbroimp

Any idea how long those bulbs have been in there?

Some have been there since it was made in the late ‘90’s. About half were replaced by AC around 2004.

[Formerly YB-2]

AC uses long-life bulbs these days. They have about the same MTBF (50,000hr) as LEDs.

[sgbroimp]

I also ordered a set of the "long lifes" so fingers crossed they will be a lot better. In four years the amp has run maybe 8,000 hours. The regular bulbs won't go that long you are saying?