Which tubes improve my McIntosh MA 252?

[Mac Arthur]

Hi all,

I guess there are many experts to advise me.
My MA 252 currently runs with the original tubes.
I would like to improve the 12AX7/ECC83 first.
I mainly listen to classical music and jazz lounge in a 600 m³ space with an RT60 stable at 0.7 sec.
I know that some brands are more famous than others and that, depending on the brand, they sound very different, but I am a real newbie.
I can't afford to listen and return until I find the ones that suit me, as I need to order abroad (Europe) to get them brought to me. In addition, I am wondering about the budget to achieve a significant sound improvement, as I read that the original McIntosh tubes are not very good in terms of quality.
Am I right?
Any recommendations?
Thanks in advance!

 

[Michaels HiFi]

Hi all,

I guess there are many experts to advise me.
My MA 252 currently runs with the original tubes.
I would like to improve the 12AX7/ECC83 first.
I mainly listen to classical music and jazz lounge in a 600 m³ space with an RT60 stable at 0.7 sec.
I know that some brands are more famous than others and that, depending on the brand, they sound very different, but I am a real newbie.
I can't afford to listen and return until I find the ones that suit me, as I need to order abroad (Europe) to get them brought to me. In addition, I am wondering about the budget to achieve a significant sound improvement, as I read that the original McIntosh tubes are not very good in terms of quality.
Am I right?
Any recommendations?
Thanks in advance!

Hello!

Unfortunately you haven't told us any relevant info.

What is the sound you are hearing now?
What is it that you don't like?
What are you trying to get away from and head to sound wise?

 

[Mac Arthur]

To answer the first question is easy: My recently acquired Salon 2 are driving me to heaven. Everything sounds good compared to my previous Revel Studio V1. My listening conditions are extremely good due to the big space and controlled RT60. I don't dislike anything special.
I would love maybe some more details and a slightly warmer sound. Maybe this is antagonism.
Unfortunately, I can't listen to any other system around to make any relevant comparison and tell you, "On that system I hear that and would love to get it on my own one."
I am a poor lonesome audiophile in my small country.

 

[Michaels HiFi]

To answer the first question is easy: My recently acquired Salon 2 are driving me to heaven. Everything sounds good compared to my previous Revel Studio V1. My listening conditions are extremely good due to the big space and controlled RT60. I don't dislike anything special.
I would love maybe some more details and a slightly warmer sound. Maybe this is antagonism.
Unfortunately, I can't listen to any other system around to make any relevant comparison and tell you, "On that system I hear that and would love to get it on my own one."
I am a poor lonesome audiophile in my small country.

You could start with some 1950's black glass RCA's.

The earlier the year the better. As you get into the 60's tubes typically loose that midrange magic and become a bit more "hifi" sound. Some people prefer that which is fine - but not from what you are describing.

you could also go big-time and find some 1950's Holland-made tubes which will give you sweeter sounding midrange, air and detail, without any hifi sound. However the midrange will be more lush on the RCA's.

I would stay away from 1960's RCA IMO - those are just mediocre.

 

[Mac Arthur]

Thanks a lot for your advice.
This one?
How to guess when they've been manufactured?

Telefunken or Siemens won't match my expectations?
RCA are cheaper and that would be perfect with me.

 

[Mr Peabody]

You have a small room and unless large orchestra your listening isn't all that demanding. However, I have to mention your amp isn't exactly a good match for your speakers. The Salons are very demanding and better suited for high power, high current amplifiers. Still not ideal you might try a Mac amp with autoformers. Or if on a budget an integrated capable of more current like the Parasound INT6.

If the Salons are stressing your amp it could compress the highs and lose control of the bass, this maybe what you are hearing and making you want a warmer tube.

The auto-former allows the amp to deliver it's rated power no matter the speaker impedance. The Salon's impedance swings with music program and sometimes lower than most amps like. When the speaker impedance dips it draws more current from the amplifier. Where we have problems is when the amplifier has no more current to give. If it doesn't go into protection or before it does the sound quality will suffer.

The Salon 2 are great speakers. Playing with placement may help as well.

Your 252 has preamp outputs, you could use a Y adapter back into your 252 to drive the mids & highs and the other side to a more powerful amplifier for the bass. Maybe something to try in the future.