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New Tubes for Yaqin MC-13s

Atomic007

Atomic007

New Member
Hi all,
Awhile back I got a great deal on a Yaqin MC 13s Tube Amp and I've really become addicted to it. I've played with the tubes in the pre section and currently have Tung Sol Ax7's and NOS GE AU7's. I'm finally ready to roll the power tubes. It currently has the original 6CA7's. I'm wanting to try a quad of EL34's and interested in suggestions for this amp if anyone is familiar. I also read I could benefit from a set of KT-77's and like the reviews but I haven't found definitive evidence they are a direct replacement for this amp. I am pleased with the amp and very surprised with the sound. I've watched several videos saying this amp will benefit from rolling but yet to hear specifically which tubes are beneficial. And yeah, I get the subjectivity of the matter. 20200609_121136.jpg 20200528_151646.jpg I'll probably just go with a set of EL34 Mullards in the end, but it would be nice to know if KT-77's would work or if someone wants to share their personal experience. And thank you for any input. Regards.
 
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I have a Yaqin MC30-L that came with Shuguang Blue bottle 6CA7's. I have tried JJ KT77's. I personally think the Shuguang 6CA7's are my favorites with exceptional bass. It looks like your Yaqin has these tubes; I'd save my money and stick with them (but I know the tube grass is always greener on the other side of the audio fence).
 
eickmewg said:
I have a Yaqin MC30-L that came with Shuguang Blue bottle 6CA7's. I have tried JJ KT77's. I personally think the Shuguang 6CA7's are my favorites with exceptional bass. It looks like your Yaqin has these tubes; I'd save my money and stick with them (but I know the tube grass is always greener on the other side of the audio fence).
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You are most likely right. I know this is just silly, but one problem I have is I hate the blue. I know, first world problems. So apparently the KT-77 do work, first hand? Interesting. And thanks!
 
KT-77's did sound nice in a ST-70 I have. Very well balanced. I preferred them to several EL34 brands I tried. Gold Lyon KT-77's are supposed to sound very nice. I just used JJ's. At $20 a pop they didn't disappoint. But I recently changed them out for EH 6CA7's and like the added top end sparkle and better bass.
 
are the el34'snot just power tubes so rolling those wont alter the sound but rolling the ones in the pre section do, sure i read that on the yaquin facebook group
 
I've tried the EL34 Svetlana Winged C's (the supposedly good ones) as well as Tesla EL34's (brown base date code -1968) and in my experience, the Shuguang EL34-B's are far superior. AFAIK, KT 77's are not compatible with your amp.
 
Never was interested in the blue bottle tubes because I like the amber glow of the Shuguang's (and the reason why I won't buy the Black Treasure Shuguang's).
 
heath2832 said:
Never was interested in the blue bottle tubes because I like the amber glow of the Shuguang's (and the reason why I won't buy the Black Treasure Shuguang's).
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Do you have any experience with the MC-13s? Also, where can you get the Shuguangs besides ordering them from China?
 
No experience with the MC-13s, although I owned 2 different versions of the MC-10L which is similar I believe...?

There's a couple of sellers from the UK that have them listed on EBAY.
 
A friend of mine has the same Yaqin and has had Gold Lions KT77 tubes in his for the past few years and sounds really good with NOS 12au7 and 12ax7
 
Big-L said:
A friend of mine has the same Yaqin and has had Gold Lions KT77 tubes in his for the past few years and sounds really good with NOS 12au7 and 12ax7
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So the KT-77's will work? I continue to get conflicting responses...
Any chance you could put me in touch with him?
 
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I keep reading that EL34's, KT-88's and 6CA7's are all basically interchangeable. And if I can't interchange them in the Yaqin MC-13s, I would like to know why...
 
Google search Yaqin MC-13 there are reviews that even say they swapped out EL34 for KT77.
Sorry but he is an older gentle men and isn't into the internet....sorry .
Also google, swap EL34 for KT77

You can also check with Kevin Deal @ upscaleaudio.com that's where I buy most of my tubes. He sells some great tubes and burns them in for 72hr with real world testing.
 
Big-L said:
Google search Yaqin MC-13 there are reviews that even say they swapped out EL34 for KT77.
Sorry but he is an older gentle men and isn't into the internet....sorry .
Also google, swap EL34 for KT77

You can also check with Kevin Deal @ upscaleaudio.com that's where I buy most of my tubes. He sells some great tubes and burns them in for 72hr with real world testing.
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Yeah I've Google searched it to death. The information is contradictory and conflicting
 
Atomic007 said:
I keep reading that EL34's, KT-88's and 6CA7's are all basically interchangeable. And if I can't interchange them in the Yaqin MC-13s, I would like to know why...
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Did you mean KT-77's, not KT-88's? I know for a fact KT-88's are not interchangeable.
 
Ok, I checked out various websites and it looks like the consensus is that the KT-77 is interchangeable with the EL34's although I couldn't find any info regarding what to set the bias at. That's a critical question that needs answered. JJ tubes, at least 10 years ago, had reliability issues so I would try the Gold Lion KT-77's if I were to experiment....
 
Yes, KT-77 is what I meant. The Bias is stamped on the unit, just wondering if that's what I would still go by. Thanks for finding that!
 
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