McIntosh Rebuild with solid state rectifier

[SidSmith]

Changing from tube to solid state rectifier in a preamp make sens if you want to improve reliabilty, but a lateral move at best in others areas.

A lot of preamp of that era used tube rectifier: H.H.Scott preamp, Fisher, Pilot, Dynaco, etc. and that dosen't make them more or less desirable than their Marantz, Harman Kardon, Lafayette , etc. counterpart.

Its is much more their circuit and the original parts used that forge their sonic reputation today.

Perhaps in those times, claiming a fully solid state PSU was a great marketing argument, but today, who care? Better to stick to original design who has prove his reliability and his sonic apeal.

 

[cspyon]

As for SaturationPT's comment, "...vintage audio is more about taste and opinion than science..."
I absolutely agree!

 

[dcgillespie]

Using today's standards for analysis, that's largely true -- but I doubt that back in the day the engineers who developed the vintage circuits we reference today would agree!

Dave

 

[mcgjohn]

But I would not want a tube rectified preamp. and can you tell us why ? If you don't want a tube rectifier don't buy a C20

yes, @clinic-audio made a really good point. A huge part of the sound of the C20 comes from its tube rectification for the main supply rails. You can roll 6X4s in that socket to vary it. And a tube rectifier will not generate the RF noise that a sand (solid state) rectifier does).

If you don't care about maintaining a museum piece lots of better ways to upgrade the sound than replacing the valve rectifier.

 

[cspyon]

yes, @clinic-audio made a really good point. A huge part of the sound of the C20 comes from its tube rectification for the main supply rails. You can roll 6X4s in that socket to vary it. And a tube rectifier will not generate the RF noise that a sand (solid state) rectifier does).

If you don't care about maintaining a museum piece lots of better ways to upgrade the sound than replacing the valve rectifier.

I rolled GE and RCA 6x4 in my C20, but not much difference. I hear 12AU7 also changes the sonic tone...

 

[mcgjohn]

I rolled GE and RCA 6x4 in my C20, but not much difference. I hear 12AU7 also changes the sonic tone...

yes, agree on the tube changes, but was also thinking of the load resistors and coupling caps.