I get that hum with just the amp and no inputs gain full on, buts that normal I thought. Its when I connect the MX114 .
The amp plays loud through the L100's .Half volume is as far as I have gone. The 024's sound really good but are the 0003 safer ? I don't want that grainy sound either . 024 or 003 ? I have both.
I dont know where you are getting this information from, but I have never heard of output transistors affecting the sound of an amplifier in that way.....
The output transistors have the least effect on the sound in an amplifier....
I've certainly never heard of this "grainy" effect you are talking about....
Sounds like an "old wives tale" to me........
I doubt very much whether you could tell the difference between the two.....
I have replaced all the elctrolyics in the MC2505 , with new big caps from Mcintosh . The hum is more when the MX114 is connected ,which has been recapped also. The amp alone will hum when the gain controls are full on and no input source ,which sounds normal to me. I need to it play more to pin point what is going on.
In my experience it appears the MJ15024 are safe to use, I simply used them in the MC250 because that is what I have in stock for servicing my Crown Macrotechs.....
However, the MJ15003 is the correct replacement and since they are available that is what I would use if I was you.....
Sure, use the 024's but you need to be able to watch the amp on a scope for oscillations and instability, you need to know what you are looking for... There is always risks associated with going away from the suggested replacements which is fine if you know what the risks are and how to monitor them..
The critical difference between the two devices .....
MJ15003 ft=2mhz, gain hfe min=25, DC gain hfe = 150
MJ15024 ft=4mhz, gain hfe min=15, DC gain hfe = 60
It seems in these early designs McIntosh went for low bandwith low gain devices in the output section, I am assuming for stability and reliability and probably because there wasnt much else around at the time.....