Newb tube amp

bigaudiofanatic

Looking to get my feet wet in tube amps. Just trying not to spend much but just want to get into it.

thsmith

Anthem AMP 1

michaeljhsda2

PM sent

gdb

I'm starting with a MF tube buffer hitched to all SS gear, some say, that's all the tubes they need or want. I haven't drawn any conclusions yet about it's place in my set-up. Maybe you might consider a buffer as a first step also, or not.

inspiredsports

3 Questions:
-- How much is not too much?
-- How good do you want it to sound?
-- How much do you want to spend on the vacuum tubes themselves?

Hawkeye

Going to put tubes on the Logans? I'd read some threads at MLO before you jump too deeply to get an idea of what works and what don't.

For example, I tried a pair of 275 MkV's on mine. The mids are to die for but the top end rolls off negating the purpose of the panel. They didn't work well in my room.

Just a heads up.

Gordon

inspiredsports

Hawkeye wrote: »

Going to put tubes on the Logans? I'd read some threads at MLO before you jump too deeply to get an idea of what works and what don't.

For example, I tried a pair of 275 MkV's on mine. The mids are to die for but the top end rolls off negating the purpose of the panel. They didn't work well in my room.

Just a heads up.

Gordon

I've not had my ears on that particular amp so I don't know it, but my first inclination is to ask if you rolled in any tubes known to have a more revealing top end?

Hawkeye

inspiredsports wrote: »

I've not had my ears on that particular amp so I don't know it, but my first inclination is to ask if you rolled in any tubes known to have a more revealing top end?

I honestly did not. I had the tubes and the SS here at the same time and my dealer gave me a limited amount of time to decide. Some of the guys who run tubes and ESL's have rolled for years and may have a better response for BAF, that's why I recommended MLO.

I don't have enough experience to give advice, just point in the right direction on occasion.:redface:

Gordon

janmike

inspiredsports wrote: »

3 Questions:
-- How much is not too much?
-- How good do you want it to sound?
-- How much do you want to spend on the vacuum tubes themselves?

Well, one was my first question.

"How much is not too much?"

Second question.

What other gear? Speakers, Pre...

bigaudiofanatic

I may run the amp/pre amp on the logans however I have other speakers that I an try it on if it does not work out. I may even take it to work in my office.

Budget 500 or less, pretty good best "bang for the buck" Not sure about the tubes.

Honestly one day I hope to have a mcintosh pre amp and amp with a set of ML in a dedicated room.

inspiredsports

That Anthem Amp 1 is a mighty good recommendation at the $500-$550 price point and you might even get one with a set of tubes that sounds great.

If not, there are lots of good, affordable 12AU7/ECC82 and EL34 options available.

You can alway go crazy with a tube budget, but very decent 12AU7's can be had for $20-$25 each, and a quad of brand new and SED (formerly Svetlana) Saint Petersburg Russia EL34's from Jim McShane are about $110. You can retube for even less gently used.

polkfarmboy

I bought a yaqin mc10l from tubstien on ebay for a little over $500 and it killed the top end of my logans but has the best mids and great power

I may try to get some diff pre tubes in there

bigaudiofanatic

What about a Yaqin MC-10L?

Hawkeye

bigaudiofanatic wrote: »

I may run the amp/pre amp on the logans however I have other speakers that I an try it on if it does not work out. I may even take it to work in my office.

Budget 500 or less, pretty good best "bang for the buck" Not sure about the tubes.

Honestly one day I hope to have a mcintosh pre amp and amp with a set of ML in a dedicated room.

BAF, next time your in Southern MD, give me a call and listen before you set a goal. It may not be what you think it is until you hear it.

Gordon

bigaudiofanatic

bigaudiofanatic wrote: »

What about a Yaqin MC-10L?

Just bought one :cool:

polkfarmboy

The yaqin is a great tube amp and I hope you love it but for me I am very sad there is no highs because everything is top notch

When I first put it to work I was in love and could not believe how lively it sounded and all the things I had missed in my logans were jumping out in front of me . I started really getting tired of the complete absence of the highs and only use it occasionally now

I really hope that I can fix this problem with some new tubes and like the wise gorden said "the top end rolls off negating the purpose of the panel" so for now I really enjoy the tubes with my polk rti8 rather than the ML source

I

inspiredsports

I had a Yaqin CD-1 Tube Buffer that came with the same Chinese 6N1 signal tubes that ship in their MC-10L Amp. I can honestly say that was the worst tube I've ever auditioned, especially when it came to reproducing upper-mids and treble.

A nice quad of Amperex (Holland) Bugle Boy ECC88/6DJ8's might cost $150 or more, but that will cure what ails the $5 each 6N1's that ship from the factory.

bigaudiofanatic

Will have to order them next week.

polkfarmboy

inspiredsports wrote: »

I had a Yaqin CD-1 Tube Buffer that came with the same Chinese 6N1 signal tubes that ship in their MC-10L Amp. I can honestly say that was the worst tube I've ever auditioned, especially when it came to reproducing upper-mids and treble.

A nice quad of Amperex (Holland) Bugle Boy ECC88/6DJ8's might cost $150 or more, but that will cure what ails the $5 each 6N1's that ship from the factory.

Thats the best news I have ever heard concerning this amp

Where would we acquire these tubes from?

Hawkeye

I don't mean to imply that tubes "can't" be used on an ESL. From my research and talking to other owners, it is a jagged path to follow to and obtain your desired results.

I would imagine if you enjoyed rolling tubes and tasting the differences, it could be an enjoyable path to follow.

Gordon

polkfarmboy

Hawkeye wrote: »

I don't mean to imply that tubes "can't" be used on an ESL. From my research and talking to other owners, it is a jagged path to follow to and obtain your desired results.

I would imagine if you enjoyed rolling tubes and tasting the differences, it could be an enjoyable path to follow.

Gordon

Your first post gordon was right on the money about the integrated amp he choose though . The yaqin really does have no highs with the supplied tubes but hopefully I can get a hold of the Amperex holland's and report back on how they improved an otherwise excelent value tube amp

Not to mention imo its one of the best looking retro style tube amps out there

Hawkeye

polkfarmboy wrote: »

Your first post gordon was right on the money about the integrated amp he choose though . The yaqin really does have no highs with the supplied tubes but hopefully I can get a hold of the Amperex holland's and report back on how they improved an otherwise excelent value tube amp

Not to mention imo its one of the best looking retro style tube amps out there

Gosh, I hate it when somebody agrees with me! It almost makes it seem I know what I'm talking about sometimes!:biggrin::biggrin:

I do hope you guys figure it out and let us know the results. I'd certainly be interested in hearing about it.

Gordon

bigaudiofanatic

So your all saying I threw money away? Or do I just need new tubes?

polkfarmboy

bigaudiofanatic wrote: »

So your all saying I threw money away? Or do I just need new tubes?

You have not threw any money away assuming you paid around $550 then you got real value for money.If you hook this up to some cones that may sound a little on the bright side then this tube amp is a blessing . But you have some great speakers and you really want to use the panels full potential and sadly the yaqin's pre amp section just fails to deliver in this department

The el34 power tubes are excellent and I have read alot about users going back to the originals after rollin them out for different ones so they are good .Despite these probs its still one hell of an amp and you will be in for a treat . Remember this tube amp goes into double digits and the bass and mid has to be heard . If you have never heard tubes then your gona love it and if the pre section get remedied it will be one hell of a sound system

inspiredsports

bigaudiofanatic wrote: »

So your all saying I threw money away? Or do I just need new tubes?

Not at all, but that's why in posts #5 and #17 I tried to point out that it is a slippery slope when you start down the path of attaining better sound.

Tube amps are highly dependent upon the tubes used, and while Yaqin uses decent components, they try to keep the initial price low and the compromise is they use very inexpensive tubes.

Even so, the tubes they use from the factory may sound great when paired with your particular sources, preamp, wires and speakers. Synergy between components varies in every situation.

You should hook it up and listen to it in your specific system for several weeks before even thinking about tubes.

bigaudiofanatic

Ok, got home to find my amp waiting for me. Anxiously and cautiously I took it upstairs and slowly unpacked it. The previous owner marked the larger tubes to which slot they go to. Very easily put them in.

Made all my connections and fired it up and waited as the soft glow of the tubes filled my eyes. "Five min"

I noticed however one of the larger tubes "forgive the newb" was not glowing. Does this mean I need to replace it "single or as a group" and what and where would I need to look if that is the case.

Second I started with Norah Joans and ended with Pink Floyd.

My meter on my monster went down twice during this time from 123 to 116. Was this from the amp?

Forgive me being a baby as well but do these tubes blow up?

Thank you in advanced.

michaeljhsda2

Turn off the amp and unplug it from the wall outlet. After the tube cools off make sure that the tube is seated all the way into the socket. The tube may not be making full contact as the tube glass is barely wide enough to fit through the chassis.

inspiredsports

The tube that is not glowing needs to be looked at. Turn it off and cool it as above.

First can you tell me what tube is not glowing? It is a 6N1/ECC88/6DJ8 signal tube, or an EL34 power tube?

When it is cool, I would remove it and inspect the pins to first make sure they are all there, and then to gently see if anything is loose.

Also, it's best not to get oil from your hands/fingers on the glass so use thin gloves or a soft cloth like a small piece of an old tee shirt while handling tubes unless your hands are very clean and dry.

If all of the pins are intact and tight, "reseat" the tube by carefully lining up the pin pattern, pushing in it straight down and then gently wiggling it just a bit while gently pusing down.

When you power back up, watch closely (with lights low to be sure) and shut it down if it does start to glow as the others power back up. Did you notice I used the word "gently" an awful lot :biggrin:

bigaudiofanatic

The tube is now glowing so that is good. After tonights listen I will let it cool and tomorrow will clean the tubes. I only touched the metal on top.

inspiredsports

bigaudiofanatic wrote: »

The tube is now glowing so that is good. After tonights listen I will let it cool and tomorrow will clean the tubes. I only touched the metal on top.

This is a fine point, but oil holds heat and can (not always), but can cause hot spots that shorten tube life. Clean glass dissipates best. The top part is still glass with a metallic coating on the INSIDE.

Also, I'm not familiar enough with that amp to know if the bias has to be set/adjusted, or if it is what they call "self-biasing". If the seller charted which exact tube went in which exact spot you should be OK, but if the pairings aren't exact and the unit requires biasing, you'll need to learn how that is accomplished.

Some handling is required getting set up, but I've always heard that once you get everything set, just leaving it alone is the best course of action.

Enjoy!

michaeljhsda2

It's really glass on the outside but it does look like metal doesn't it? I believe that is the getter flash that is inside the glass but I'm not certain of that. What speakers are you driving?