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Old 04-04-2017, 08:47 PM
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Default C2600 tube rolling

Can anyone tell me why 5 tubes are 12ax7 but the main output tube is 12at7?

When rolling tubes will this matter if a 12ax7 is used as main output instead of 12at7?
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Old 04-04-2017, 09:15 PM
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akitared.......The 12AX7 and 12AT7 tubes are pin compatible but the gain of the 12AT7 is lower by approximately 40%. The 12AT7 also has a higher plate voltage which generally equates to a better signal to noise ratio and a bit more dynamic range. I am not certain about the 12AT7's output impedance but that may be part of the reason it is in the final output stage of the C2600. I would not install a 12AX7 in place of the 12AT7 if it were my preamp.
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STUDIO - McIntosh C1000C/P, MC2301 (2), MR88, Aurender N10, Esoteric K-01X, Shunyata Sigma spdif digital cable, Sonos Connect, PurePower 2000, Stillpoints, Furutech Flux 50, Michell Gyro SE, Michell HR Power Supply, SME 309, Ortofon Cadenza Black, Wireworld, Sonus faber Amati Anniversario
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VINTAGE - McIntosh MA230, Tandberg 3011A tuner, Olive 04HD, Sony DTC-59ES DAT, McIntosh 4300V, JBL 4312A

Last edited by jdandy; 04-04-2017 at 10:18 PM.
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Old 04-04-2017, 10:00 PM
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Good post! As always.
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Old 04-04-2017, 10:19 PM
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Thank you for the detailed reply.
So I can replace the main output tube with only another 12at7? Golden Lion for instance?
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Old 04-04-2017, 10:37 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by akitared View Post
Thank you for the detailed reply.
So I can replace the main output tube with only another 12at7? Golden Lion for instance?
akitard.......That is correct, only use a 12AT7 where it is required. I would not try to second guess the McIntosh engineers on the impact of the correct tube in a circuit.

Gold Lion 12AT7 tubes are very good. I have used them in my two MC2301 power amps. Another excellent 12AT7 is the Siemens ECC801S. I used that tube for several years with very good performance. Right now I have just past the 100 hour mark on four (two in each MC2301) Siemens E81CC (12AT7) tubes and really liking what I hear. These tubes reveal amazing resolution, although they have taken the full 100 hours of break-in to settle, being initially bright.

The neat thing about the 12AT7 being the last dual triode tube in the signal path of the C2600 is you can roll in just a single 12AT7 of your choice and will find that it effectively tailors the preamp's output to the tube. Rolling one tube at a time is far less expensive than rolling two or four tubes at a time. Have fun, but don't swap the 12AT7 for a 12AX7.
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STUDIO - McIntosh C1000C/P, MC2301 (2), MR88, Aurender N10, Esoteric K-01X, Shunyata Sigma spdif digital cable, Sonos Connect, PurePower 2000, Stillpoints, Furutech Flux 50, Michell Gyro SE, Michell HR Power Supply, SME 309, Ortofon Cadenza Black, Wireworld, Sonus faber Amati Anniversario
LIVING ROOM - McIntosh C2300, MC75 (2), MR85, Magnum Dynalab 205, Simaudio MOON Neo 260D-T, Schiit Audio Yggdrasil, Aurender N100H, Shunyata Sigma USB cable, Micro Seiki DD40, Ortofon Cadenza Blue, Nakamichi BX-300, Sony 60ES DAT, PS Audio P10, Furutech Flux 50, Sonos Connect, Stillpoints, Wireworld, Kimber, PMC EB1i, JL Audio f113
VINTAGE - McIntosh MA230, Tandberg 3011A tuner, Olive 04HD, Sony DTC-59ES DAT, McIntosh 4300V, JBL 4312A

Last edited by jdandy; 04-04-2017 at 10:51 PM.
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  #6  
Old 04-04-2017, 10:54 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jdandy View Post
akitard.......That is correct, only use a 12AT7 where it is required. I would not try to second guess the McIntosh engineers on the impact of the correct tube in a circuit.

Gold Lion 12AT7 tubes are very good. I have used them in my two MC2301 power amps. Another excellent 12AT7 is the Siemens ECC801S. I used that tube for several years with very good performance. Right now I have just past the 100 hour mark on four (two in each MC2301) Siemens E81CC (12AT7) tubes and really liking what I hear. These tubes reveal amazing resolution, although they have taken the full 100 hours of break-in to settle, being initially bright.

The neat thing about the 12AT7 being the last dual triode tube in the signal path of the C2600 is you can roll in just a single 12AT7 of your choice and will find that it effectively tailors the preamp's output to the tube. Rolling one tube at a time is far less expensive than rolling two or four tubes at a time. Have fun, but don't swap the 12AT7 for a 12AX7.


Thank you for the wisdom, as you can tell this is my first experience of Tubes
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Old 03-19-2020, 08:34 PM
Drsiebling Drsiebling is offline
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I apologize for bumping what is an old thread, but it relates directly to something I just discovered in my C2600...

I was in the process of swapping some NOS Mullard 10M Master Series tubes in, when I noticed that all the tubes in my c2600 are factory 12AX7As. Yes, I had a 12AX7 in the output position...

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Old 03-24-2020, 10:39 AM
chinkowski chinkowski is offline
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i just picked up a C2600 and i'm already ready to roll the tubes. this is exactly why i didn't want a tubed preamp, lol. i'm new here, looks like a great place, thanks for having me.
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  #9  
Old 03-31-2020, 01:53 PM
all2ears all2ears is offline
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Speaking of tubes ... the president of the old Audio Tube Enthusiasts Group has a shop right here in Orlando, FL - The group went by the way side but the tube inventory is still going strong - Lots of used and New Old Stock ... NOS tubes - If you are close by or passing through worth a visit

Kept me entertained rolling tubes for years

I have no affiliation other than fond memories

https://vacuumtubesinc.com/ ... ask for Jim
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  #10  
Old 04-14-2020, 02:58 PM
chinkowski chinkowski is offline
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after a few weeks of owning the C2600 I see what all the fuss is about. last night during a listening session I noticed some really nice imaging. wow !!!!
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