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C11 power amp pairing and coupling caps

RUMBLER5467

RUMBLER5467

AK Subscriber
Subscriber
Hi All, been awhile since my last post. I decide to sell my MA230 and recently acquired a C11. It will need to be restored although it seems to be in excellent shape physically and sonically. I was wondering what people like to pair this up with for power amps. I have a pair of Spendor SP1 speakers which seem to like SS gear as per the design. However, I'm open to both tube and SS power amp suggestions. The SP1 are 87db but dont need massive damping. They actually sounded good with the MA230 but a bit light in bass punch.

Finally what are the recommended caps to replace in the signal/phono section?

Jeff
 
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Well, the C-11 requires a load around 150,000 ohms or higher, to prevent premature clipping by the preamp. So that means MC 2300 or older would be ideal. If you want the true fabulous tube sound you want MC 30's though I preferred my MC-60's. If you want special well defined but delicate sound with balanced bass a 225 is a definite candidate. For smooth sound thats just cleaner than MC 60's a MC 275. There are different versions of the 275. There is a letter from Frank Gow describing the difference of the earlier models. I had Mk 1's and sold the Commemorative versions. I have heard Mk 5's 4's and 6's. They are all special, though the VI has some improvements the others can't match, but then the later models aren't really compatible with your C-11. I would use a MC 2105 with a P348 to keep the amp from clipping set at 120 watts with the particular speakers you own.
 
Temporarily running a NAD2200 power amp which is only 20k ohm input impedance. Hearing a bit of distortion in the high frequencies. I am thinking since the C11 needs 150k ohm it could be the cause.
 
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