Which tubes should I roll first on my integrated tube amp

dhart86
dhart86 Posts: 1,594
edited January 2014 in Electronics
I have the Yaqin MS 300 SET (integrated) Amp. The tube compliment is a pair of 300b Power tubes, a pair of 6sn7 driver tubes, a pair of 12AT7 voltage regulators and the 5u4gb rectifier tube.

My first question is, does rolling the 12at7 tubes make a major difference in the sonic presentation? In other word, would it be wise to invest in quality nos tubes? I dont know the role the voltage regulator tubes play in the presentation.

Secondly, if you were rolling tubes on this amp, what would your priority order be? and why?

Thanks for any insight you can give
Main Rig:
Antipodes DX > Roon > PS Audio Directstream Jr.>deHavilland Ultraverve 3 >Belles Reference 150a >Harbeth C7 ES3


Second Rig:
Roon> PS Audio Directstream Jr Bridge II > EE Minimax pre (Tutay mods) >Belles 150A Ref >Monitor 5 (Westmassguy-modded)


Post edited by dhart86 on
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Comments

  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,566
    edited January 2014
    The driver and power tubes will make the biggest difference.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited January 2014
    my .02-- roll the 6sn's first.
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • dhart86
    dhart86 Posts: 1,594
    edited January 2014
    F1nut wrote: »
    The driver and power tubes will make the biggest difference.

    Thanks Jesse and George..........kinda what I thought but always good to get reliable confirmation.
    Main Rig:
    Antipodes DX > Roon > PS Audio Directstream Jr.>deHavilland Ultraverve 3 >Belles Reference 150a >Harbeth C7 ES3


    Second Rig:
    Roon> PS Audio Directstream Jr Bridge II > EE Minimax pre (Tutay mods) >Belles 150A Ref >Monitor 5 (Westmassguy-modded)


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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited January 2014
    george daniel wrote: »
    my .02-- roll the 6sn's first.

    This is what I would do also; lots of great options out there.
    Jake
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  • dhart86
    dhart86 Posts: 1,594
    edited January 2014
    zingo wrote: »
    This is what I would do also; lots of great options out there.

    Got any suggestions Jake?
    Main Rig:
    Antipodes DX > Roon > PS Audio Directstream Jr.>deHavilland Ultraverve 3 >Belles Reference 150a >Harbeth C7 ES3


    Second Rig:
    Roon> PS Audio Directstream Jr Bridge II > EE Minimax pre (Tutay mods) >Belles 150A Ref >Monitor 5 (Westmassguy-modded)


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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited January 2014
    I have a killer pair of Valvo gold pins that will fit the 12at7 spot if interested. To me all the tubes make a difference.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • dhart86
    dhart86 Posts: 1,594
    edited January 2014
    heiney9 wrote: »
    I have a killer pair of Valvo gold pins that will fit the 12at7 spot if interested. To me all the tubes make a difference.

    H9

    Thanks for the offer H9............
    I think I will try to price the 6sn7 tube market first, let me get back to you on the 12at7, when I can see where I'm going
    Main Rig:
    Antipodes DX > Roon > PS Audio Directstream Jr.>deHavilland Ultraverve 3 >Belles Reference 150a >Harbeth C7 ES3


    Second Rig:
    Roon> PS Audio Directstream Jr Bridge II > EE Minimax pre (Tutay mods) >Belles 150A Ref >Monitor 5 (Westmassguy-modded)


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  • larry777
    larry777 Posts: 480
    edited January 2014
    Sylvania 6sn7's sound good in my Yaqin Integrated Amp...... Mid 1950's.
    Home Theatre.............

    Pioneer SC-35
    Polk RTi10's Fronts
    Polk CSiA6 Center
    RTi4 Surrounds
    SVS PB-12 Sub


    2 Channel.............................

    Yaqin MC-100B
    Energy RC-70 Speakers
    Arcam CD-192 Disc Player
    Van Den Hul Interconnects
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,450
    edited January 2014
    The cold ones for sure...cause they will melt yo finga












    sorry couldn't resist



    really try this guy:http://stores.ebay.com/Perpetual-Peace?_rdc=1


    great seller I have bought some from him he will treat you with much respect and there are never any worries.
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  • dhart86
    dhart86 Posts: 1,594
    edited January 2014
    larry777 wrote: »
    Sylvania 6sn7's sound good in my Yaqin Integrated Amp...... Mid 1950's.

    Thanks for the feedback larry....how do you like your yaqin 100b? I was thinking about trying to find one if I could around $500 used
    Main Rig:
    Antipodes DX > Roon > PS Audio Directstream Jr.>deHavilland Ultraverve 3 >Belles Reference 150a >Harbeth C7 ES3


    Second Rig:
    Roon> PS Audio Directstream Jr Bridge II > EE Minimax pre (Tutay mods) >Belles 150A Ref >Monitor 5 (Westmassguy-modded)


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  • dhart86
    dhart86 Posts: 1,594
    edited January 2014
    thanks pittdogg.............gotcha
    Main Rig:
    Antipodes DX > Roon > PS Audio Directstream Jr.>deHavilland Ultraverve 3 >Belles Reference 150a >Harbeth C7 ES3


    Second Rig:
    Roon> PS Audio Directstream Jr Bridge II > EE Minimax pre (Tutay mods) >Belles 150A Ref >Monitor 5 (Westmassguy-modded)


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  • larry777
    larry777 Posts: 480
    edited January 2014
    dhart86 wrote: »
    Thanks for the feedback larry....how do you like your yaqin 100b? I was thinking about trying to find one if I could around $500 used

    I really like the MC-100B. I had it a year in Nov, and just getting around to changing the KT-88 power tubes. I changed the 12AX7's first and then the 6SN7's. The amp responds well to tube changes and sounds really good. Lots of power, and you can use it as a power amp only, if you want to experiment with various Preamps. Hook up a decent source, with quality RCA's, along with a quality power cord and speaker cables and you will be more than happy with the sound. Dead quiet when you turn on the amp.

    I saw used units on Canuck Audio Mart a few times in the past but none for awhile, as they seem to go quick. All the reviews that you find on line are positive, and they mention often, how well this Amp responds to tube changes.
    Home Theatre.............

    Pioneer SC-35
    Polk RTi10's Fronts
    Polk CSiA6 Center
    RTi4 Surrounds
    SVS PB-12 Sub


    2 Channel.............................

    Yaqin MC-100B
    Energy RC-70 Speakers
    Arcam CD-192 Disc Player
    Van Den Hul Interconnects
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • dhart86
    dhart86 Posts: 1,594
    edited January 2014
    larry777 wrote: »
    I really like the MC-100B. I had it a year in Nov, and just getting around to changing the KT-88 power tubes. I changed the 12AX7's first and then the 6SN7's. The amp responds well to tube changes and sounds really good. Lots of power, and you can use it as a power amp only, if you want to experiment with various Preamps. Hook up a decent source, with quality RCA's, along with a quality power cord and speaker cables and you will be more than happy with the sound. Dead quiet when you turn on the amp.



    I saw used units on Canuck Audio Mart a few times in the past but none for awhile, as they seem to go quick. All the reviews that you find on line are positive, and they mention often, how well this Amp responds to tube changes.


    Just as I expected......I have the Yaqin MS 300 SET amp. Sound is outstanding, but due to the limited output (9.5 watts)
    you can only pair with high efficiency speakers. The MC 100b would allow for more speaker choices
    Main Rig:
    Antipodes DX > Roon > PS Audio Directstream Jr.>deHavilland Ultraverve 3 >Belles Reference 150a >Harbeth C7 ES3


    Second Rig:
    Roon> PS Audio Directstream Jr Bridge II > EE Minimax pre (Tutay mods) >Belles 150A Ref >Monitor 5 (Westmassguy-modded)


    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • larry777
    larry777 Posts: 480
    edited January 2014
    dhart86 wrote: »
    Just as I expected......I have the Yaqin MS 300 SET amp. Sound is outstanding, but due to the limited output (9.5 watts)
    you can only pair with high efficiency speakers. The MC 100b would allow for more speaker choices

    That's one of the reasons I decided to buy the MC 100B......good output power (4 ohm & 8 ohm) that will allow more speaker choice. 10 o'clock on the dial is loud, and most times I use less volume than that...in a fair sized room.
    Home Theatre.............

    Pioneer SC-35
    Polk RTi10's Fronts
    Polk CSiA6 Center
    RTi4 Surrounds
    SVS PB-12 Sub


    2 Channel.............................

    Yaqin MC-100B
    Energy RC-70 Speakers
    Arcam CD-192 Disc Player
    Van Den Hul Interconnects
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter