Tubes for my MC2102

[marista]

Hello. I think it's time to replace the 8 kt88 of my MC2102. I bought it new and the original Wing C tubes are still operating. I found a place where they have these McIntosh Wing C NOS tubes. I would like to know if the modern KT88s are superior in durability and sound quality. I understand that in the McIntosh circuit, the performance of the output tubes is not as remarkable in their sound as it is in a conventional push pull pentodo or Ultralinear amp. I have seen the new Gold Lion, Psvane, ElectroHarmonix and others with different prices. Could you help me with the opinion of your experiences?
Tanks

 

[peterh]

Hello. I think it's time to replace the 8 kt88 of my MC2102. I bought it new and the original Wing C tubes are still operating. I found a place where they have these McIntosh Wing C NOS tubes. I would like to know if the modern KT88s are superior in durability and sound quality. I understand that in the McIntosh circuit, the performance of the output tubes is not as remarkable in their sound as it is in a conventional push pull pentodo or Ultralinear amp. I have seen the new Gold Lion, Psvane, ElectroHarmonix and others with different prices. Could you help me with the opinion of your experiences?
Tanks

you need 2 pairs of 4 well matched KT88.
Well matched is the key. eurotubes has this, See eurotubes.com

 

[Bushikan]

Gold Lions are a good replacement.

 

[wdecho]

Had problem with Gold Lion 300B's myself. Short lifetime. Others had same problem. Not sure I will ever buy Gold Lions again. JJ's are what I buy now. Amplified parts using Apex matching is where I bought my last tubes.

 

[knotscott]

Tung Sol reissue 6550s have been superb in my Dyna/VTA amps. It's subjective and circuit dependent, but I prefer these over anything else I've tried.

 

[mcgjohn]

today there are quite a few good KT88s that are made. you may want to consider one of the on line tube dealers who match their tubes within 5%. Depending on the sonics you are going after there are probably quite a few brands that would work. If you are looking for a warmer sound consider the Mullard KT88s. If you want a brighter clear top end consider Gold Lion or Tungsol 6550s.

 

[marista]

you need 2 pairs of 4 well matched KT88.
Well matched is the key. eurotubes has this, See eurotubes.com

Thank you for answering. In amp, McIntosh MC2102, uses four KT88 tubes per channel. Eight in total. The tubes and the amp are from 2008. They are the original Wing C. I understand that these tubes have a very good reputation but Svetlana no longer produces them. The McIntosh circuit is not demanding with the pairing of the output pipes. My question is whether the modern tubes of current production are superior to the Svetlana Wing C.

 

[marista]

Gold Lions are a good replacement.

Thank you. Do you consider that the Gold Lion is superior to the Svetlana Wing C?

 

[Bushikan]

Had problem with Gold Lion 300B's myself. Short lifetime. Others had same problem. Not sure I will ever buy Gold Lions again. JJ's are what I buy now. Amplified parts using Apex matching is where I bought my last tubes.

Bought my Gold Lion 88s through Audio Classics, where I got my MC275 MKVI—at their suggestion. Have worked fine.

I’d give AC a call and discuss tubes with them. They have extensive knowledge about what works best with various Mac amps.

Ryan at AC said the GLs were a step up from the stock McIntosh tubes.

 

[peterh]

Thank you for answering. In amp, McIntosh MC2102, uses four KT88 tubes per channel. Eight in total. The tubes and the amp are from 2008. They are the original Wing C. I understand that these tubes have a very good reputation but Svetlana no longer produces them. The McIntosh circuit is not demanding with the pairing of the output pipes. My question is whether the modern tubes of current production are superior to the Svetlana Wing C.

Modern JJ are equivalent and follows spec. Eurotubes gives warranty in case of problems.

 

[Bushikan]

OP, I'm not trying to derail your thread—and definitely not trying to insult your amp—but please give us your opinion of the 2102. Have you compared it to other amps? Did you buy it new? What associated equipment/speakers do you use? I’m very curious to hear from an owner because when I excitedly looked into buying a used one, years ago, a dealer told me he’d had very high hopes for the 2102 but that, compared to the 275, it disappointed him, and he steered me away. Thanks. And welcome to AK.

 

[Hajidub]

Hello. I think it's time to replace the 8 kt88 of my MC2102. I bought it new and the original Wing C tubes are still operating. I found a place where they have these McIntosh Wing C NOS tubes. I would like to know if the modern KT88s are superior in durability and sound quality. I understand that in the McIntosh circuit, the performance of the output tubes is not as remarkable in their sound as it is in a conventional push pull pentodo or Ultralinear amp. I have seen the new Gold Lion, Psvane, ElectroHarmonix and others with different prices. Could you help me with the opinion of your experiences?
Tanks

Why do you think it's time to replace? 2008, when you bought it, the tubes are still juveniles, not even old enough to legally drink...LOL.

 

[Bill Ferris]

FWIW, I don`t know if this information will be helpful, but my (4) purchased new in 2010, MC-275LE mono configured tube amps have, I guessing, multiple high hundreds of hrs. on the original factory installed KT-88 tubes, and in their HF/MF application of my living rooms reference tri-amplified Mc. XRT-30 line array speaker system, I don`t know if the KT-88s are Russian or Chinese origin, but the amps have never given me any issues of any sort, and still sound excellent to all ears exposed to their sonic delivery often driven at times to quite high realistic SPLs for sustained listening sessions, via HQ dynamic digital media (BluRay Pure Audio) !

Granted, in my setup, the hardest working pair are not asked to provide any large current signal swinging bass frequencies below 80 Hertz to 1,700 Hz, with the HF mono pairs having a easier life from 1,700 Hz. to 20 K.

However, I`m not looking forward to the future retubing expenditure of (16) KT-88s, and their 2 per amp driver tubes !!

But, for my application of these wonderful sounding Mc. tube amplifiers, whatever country of origin/brand KT-88s Mc. chose in 2010 and graded before installing them in my MC-275s, I certainly have no complaints.

 

[Bushikan]

When I was told by my dealer, Audio Classics, that the problem with my MC275 MKVI (diagnosed, during COVID, over the phone) was that I probably needed a new set of 88s (turns out that, when I got it into the shop, also during COVID, the stock 88s were perfectly fine; it was a simple mechanical problem), they recommended Gold Lions to replace the stock Chinese(?) McIntosh labeled tubes.

I purchased the four GL 88s for maybe $240-275–I don’t remember, exactly. It seemed like a reasonable cost, especially when I weighed that against how much better I prefer tubes over SS on my horns.

And it certainly beats the $800 my brother spent for a factory boxed replacement set of McIntosh-labeled 88s, which he purchased when—basically the week after his tube warranty expired on his brand new $4500 MC275 MKV—the McIntosh 88s died on him. Surprise! Surprise! He’s since replaced the McIntosh 88s with GL; and he’s also rolled the other tubes, as well.

 

[krautmaster]

Viva Tubes sells an octet of the Psvane KT-88T-MKII (coated) right now they are 25% off retail. I use the 6SN7 / CV181 version of these in my office system- they have a slightly warm presentation:

New Matched Octet (8) Psvane KT88-T Classic MKII II Series Vacuum Tubes

Octet of Psvane KT88-T vacuum tubes for sale. Your friendly trusted tube store with fast worldwide shipping. Always tested, matched, and guaranteed. Thousands of valves in stock.

www.vivatubes.com

 

[fxer1982]

Tung Sol reissue 6550s have been superb in my Dyna/VTA amps. It's subjective and circuit dependent, but I prefer these over anything else I've tried.those are not even close to TUNG-Sol Tubes they are made in Russia .real vintage Tung - Sol tubes plated gold first them carbonized them , big difference in the sound out of them. go to Vacuum tube valley look up catalog #19 and read on the power tubes gives excellent read on production from 1954- 197?