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RE: McIntosh 275 MKVI Tubes

Are you using the stock tubes for 12at7s and 12ax7s? When I got my 275 vi I was very disappointed with the sound. I thought I had made a very expensive mistake. The sound was grey and lifeless, no jump factor. The unit was not supplied with JJ 88s, which have three large round holes in the plates, like a traffic signal. The stock 88s had three small oval holes in the plates, like oval racetracks. I replaced them with JJs. This improved the sound, but it still didn't sound like a premium amp. Next I replaced all the small signal tubes with Psvane, which improved the sound, making it much more holographic, with individual instruments nicely separated when appropriate, but they were a little polite. Then I replaced the at7s with NOS Sylvanias. The sound started to be good , but still not enough dynamic jump. I replaced the ax7s with os Telefunkens. It sounded like a different amp, much more powerful with a very good sound stage, more like I expected. BUT, the final touch was to replace the 88s with winged C 6550s. After this it finally sounded the way I expected, slightly laid back in the McIntosh way, but clear and powerful. I said all of that to say this - I doubt you will get all there is to be got from the amp without a complete re-tube, expensive as it might be. I suggest you start with 6550s first, then see what you think.
LowIQ

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