Which manufacturer of KT88 do you prefer in your McIntosh power amplifiers? And a second question.

[Dunley]

Hello everyone,

I am looking for a new set of KT88 tubes for my MC2000. I still have the original McIntosh tubes from 1999 which I would now like to replace. Which manufacturers of KT88 do you prefer in your McIntosh's? I still think the preamp tubes are fine. Which is why I only want to replace the KT88s.

Then I have a second MC2000. However, this one is defective. I bought it second-hand as defective. I would like to repair it. According to the previous owner, he had pulled one or two KT88s during operation !!! and caused the defect in the other half shaft. After my initial investigations of the defective MC2000, I have come to the conclusion that the Darlington emitter follower will have been damaged. My plan is to disassemble the MC2000, remove the circuit boards and replace the semiconductors Q3/Q4 and Q5/Q6 on both output stages. Part number: 132136 TRANSISTOR NPN T092. I will ask McIntosh for this part number. Alternatively I have NPN 600mW / 400V types in stock.

Has anyone ever had such a defect on their MC2000? If so, what seems to have caused it?

Best regards
Dunley

 

[derrickdj1]

I like the Shuguang KT88z black treasure and RCA 6550's for old school. These are at a decent price point since the amp needs 8 matched tubes. PS Vane has various offering that should also shine with the MC 2000 without breaking the bank.

 

[Macattack]

I had good luck with Goldlions in my MC2301s. They brought a bit more liveliness to the overall sound vs the OEM tubes.

 

[A-Line]

I use McIntosh branded KT88 tubes from the McIntosh Factory in NY with my MC2102 amplifier. They are Russian tubes. Some like new old stock Gold Lions but I've never tried them. The MC2000 was produced 1999-2000 in a limited run. The smaller relative to MC2000 was the MC2102 which was produced from 2001-2011.

The MC2000 is a hybrid tube amplifier,100w tube power with a 30w solid state amplifier that produced 130w. The MC2102 is 100% tube amp at 100w.

 

[Dunley]

Hello everyone,
many thanks for your responses.

I like the Shuguang KT88z black treasure and RCA 6550's for old school. These are at a decent price point since the amp needs 8 matched tubes. PS Vane has various offering that should also shine with the MC 2000 without breaking the bank.

What is the durability of the Shuguang KT88? In the MC2000, the KT88s are operated relatively “cold”. The first set of tubes has been running since 1999 and now I have bought 2 quartets of JJ-KT88 relatively cheaply. I have been using them for about 30 hours now and their sound is pleasantly unobtrusive. The BIAS setting has also remained stable so far.

I had good luck with Goldlions in my MC2301s. They brought a bit more liveliness to the overall sound vs the OEM tubes.

I find that very interesting, I think that the GoldLions tubes in this amplifier give it a tonal character.
My new JJ-KT88s gave the MC2000 back its “old” assertiveness in the lower registers. It can now push again in the lower registers even at low volumes. A pleasure to listen to in the mW range of the meters.

I use McIntosh branded KT88 tubes from the McIntosh Factory in NY with my MC2102 amplifier. They are Russian tubes. Some like new old stock Gold Lions but I've never tried them.

Unfortunately I can't get the original McIntosh KT88 here directly. Here outside the USA I am still looking for a reasonably priced way to get hold of these original tubes.

The MC2000 is a hybrid tube amplifier,100w tube power with a 30w solid state amplifier that produced 130w.

Unfortunately you are wrong! Take a look at the MC2000 service manual.

Thank you all so far and best regards
Dunley

 

[derrickdj1]

What is the durability of the Shuguang KT88?

I have own Shuguang KT 88 z's to a couple of years. I like my RCA 6550's in one of my amps and the Shuggy's in the other amps which can roll 6550, EL34, and KT 90. The Shuggy's are durable and a great all a round tube.