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MC 60 tubes?

nj pheonix

nj pheonix

Lunatic Member
I'm looking for opinions on tube compliments for MC60s. Both drivers and outputs (not worrying so much about rectifiers right now). I realize walking in there is no right tube opinion. That being said, I'm sure experience acquired over years of playing has most with favorites, best bang for the buck, and those to be avoided like the plague. Please enlighten the noob. Oh one other question, can you run KT120s in an MC60? Thanks
 
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You can use 6550 or KT88s. KT120 will make the amp run hot, lower the power and have poor fidelity, the amp is not made for those.

Thanks,
Ron-C
 
Thanks for the tip...If money were an object, what are some choices for outputs (not saying cheapest) lets say best bang for the buck. What did MAC use for the original small tubes and outputs?
 
Tubes that meet the original design specification should be used. Could be old or new as long as the tube meets spec.

thanks,
Ron-C
 
Gelenex Gold Lion KT88s or Tung Sol 6550 outputs would have been favored BITD but the prices on originals will probably rule them out. McIntosh used a lot of Telefunken smalls and those can still be found reasonably if you do some snooping.

Maybe c_dk, Terry, or twiiii knows what the amps rolled off the production lines with but I'll bet that varied from one run to another. Ron, maybe you could give us all some insight on some good buys on tubes today as the original stuff is harder and harder to come across.
 
I have a nice driver tube collection (all three types), I'm pretty sure I shouldn't have to find these. I turns out it came with winged cs . From what I read they're not bad for (well they're not really new or old) starters. I reached out to Terry, Its a holiday weekend and I know he was pounding on a back log . Thanks for the help.
 
Shuguang KT88-Z outputs, NOS US made 12BH7a are best, JJ or Shuguang 12ax7a and 12au7a would be fine.

Original tubes were Tungsol 6550, RCA or GE small tubes. Telefunken were used in the later amps. NOS US or Russian 5U4Bs will work.

Thanks,
Ron-C
 
The pair of MC60's I recently restored came with Telefunken 12ax7 and GE 12BH7 and RCA 12AU7. These might be original tubes as the date codes match amps vintage. The same is with RCA rectifier tubes (1956).
KT88 are Gold Monarch from 1969 (IIRC) and obviously bought later.
I got a set of NOS Sylvania to replace rectifiers and plan to get Reissue Gold Lions output tubes as the old Genelex are to valuable to be used.
I had no chance to roll tubes I already have but will report Soon as I get KT88s.

Good luck
 
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Thanks,
I heard back from Terry. He said he uses winged cs. I think with the old stock Teles, Mullards. RCA, Amperex, Valvo GE and whatever, I should be able to fill the the little tube positions. always nice to know what it came with from the factory to get a base line. Also nice to hear from experience. Thanks all again. Maybe once I get underway here I'll report back.
 
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