|
Home
/ FAQ
/ News Classifieds / Events |
Audio Asylum Thread Printer |
Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
77.176.218.139
hi there,
I'm just wondering if I should swap my SET 845 integrated for a pair of 6l6 monos - recently I've built a "vintage" system with altec 604H duplex speakers in 612B enclosures and custom made crossovers - after my former OTL monos are sold I use a new audio frontiers 845SE as special edition - after re-tubing the amp I'm enjoying the SET sound (again) but I'm still wondering if I should go for a pair of mcintosh mc30 (probably with c20 pre-amp) - unfortunately I have no chance to compare the mc30 monos with the naf integrated - does anybody have audited both, 6L6 and 845 next to each other - I'd be glad for any suggestions ...
thanks
While I can't speak to the sound quality of the Mac amp, I can tell you the NAF 845SE Special Edition is something quite remarkable. I have had mine for about a year and continue to be endlessly impressed with it. I rolled the tubes (1948 RCA 12AX7, Matched JAN 5687 and Shuguang 845B output tubes) and the sound just keeps getting better and better. My speakers (Musical Affairs Grand Crescendo SAG with the PHY-HP coaxial driver) are quite efficient at 97dB and the amp just sings with them.There is no substitute for a relatively high powered DHT SET amp. It just sounds like music!
Edits: 06/28/09
datman,
honestly you are right with the naf - I own the naf for several years already - it was my "office amp" before I've sold the otl monos.
funny - I've tubed my amp quite similar: 845b - rca 12axt long black plate, square getter (50s) and nos tung-sol 5687. in addition my naf is not an "usual" special edition, it's an item of the rare second generation, that had a little bit more "sharp" circuit - this amp was chosen at the factory by ten naf 845 in an audition. but ... in regard to my altec 604 I guess a 6l6 concept could provide an amazing match ...
nt
"Live free or die"
There is only one set of taps on the NAF 845. According to the manufacturer, the transformers will work with a wide range of impedances. I have had no difficulties using the 845 with my 16 ohm speakers. It sounds excellent.
you're right for the second and third generation of the amp - but the first generation of naf 845 integrated had different taps at the rear for speakers ...
Depending on the condition of the mac amps,the value of the macs are going to exponentially higher than a new production integrated amp..
The mc30s are excellent amps and have excellent resolution if you rebuild them properly with new filtering and selected coupling caps and resistors and using the 6cg7 phase inverter..Whats nice about mac mc30s and mc60s is you can put motor run caps in underneath without drilling holes or making chasis alterations because of the generouus room it has.This way the amps look original while maintaining a pure updated sound.
If the mc30s you are looking at our in rough shape,then I wouldnt do it but if the 30s are clean,go for it as you can always build a set amp.
If the power supply waveform isn't pretty,neither is the sound in most cases.
I do not have enough experience to say 'go', but I only heard one DIY PP triode connected amp that played as well as single-ended design.
I went beserk over 10 years (time permitting) trying so many PP EL84 amps with part upgrades including best tubes & never came close to a simple SE EL84. Just one wrong coupling cap, poor PS design or tube can ruin any DIY amp. Frankly, I can not listen to a PP EL84 amp.
I do have this issue, I am sensitive to distortion. So, what I do not enjoy others may get pleasure. I still have ears that perform to 16kHz in my late 50s. I also have 20-20 vision.
I didn't realize that the differences would be so amazing.
You might try a pentode-wired triode amp, based on KT88/6550. I have heard some of these sound very good.
"Live free or die"
ok - that is quite hard-edged - do you have any experience with the (mc30) 6L6?
would be fine to get reply from person who have audited both.
thanks,
I think that the point is the Macs are fine classic amps, beautiful and well made, but they are not 'high resolution' components. Having owned MC 30s or listened to them many times, one needn't have heard the specific 845 amp to which you refer to know that any competent SE845 amp with the appropriate speakers will have a much more transparent and dynamic audio presentation. That may be harsh but sometimes the truth hurts...
I was surprised too, when I heard them.
"The Sound of One Hand Clapping is Crashing by Design" HKM
Clean
They are superb for the whole spectrum if properly rebuilt.So many people have come away with a negative view of vintage macs including myself because they weren't properly rebuilt and maintained.Now,I realize how wrong I was when I blueprinted my mc60s.
If the power supply waveform isn't pretty,neither is the sound in most cases.
Ho Mike.
can you email me about this,
< < <
I realize how wrong I was when I blueprinted my mc60s> > > >
Cheers
LT
that's what I've heard - but probably the 6L6 tube might be responsible for this sonice - and there might be no need to go for the (somehow in price overrated) mc30 monos? - I'm just wondering if I should start with a more economy-priced item, for example an organ amp as the ALLEN 40 (stereo version) ...
6L6 tube might be responsible for this sonice - and there might be no need to go for the (somehow in price overrated) mc30 monos? - I'm just wondering if I should start with a more economy-priced item, for example an organ amp as the ALLEN 40 (stereo version) ...
I was under the impression this was a trade,a pair of mc30s for your 845 integrated amp.Anyway,you are correct in that the 6L6 has a lot to do with the good sonics but then so does the mac bifilar circuit and if you get the allen 40s,they also have a lot of potential and lots of room to build a hell of a pair of great mono blocs.
If the power supply waveform isn't pretty,neither is the sound in most cases.
Ok............... You definitely think outside of the box. Allen makes THE finest organ amps and professional gear {I have a Baldwin triode 6L6 amp for the bottom end with a power transformer 3 times bigger than it has to be}. I see them occasionally on Ebay and have noticed they reek of quality. I would still replace all the ancillary caps and any resistors > than 1% out of spec...........yes I know that is fanatical. Of course ALL electro-lytics must go.........besides that is where some of the greatest strides in technology have been made.
"The Sound of One Hand Clapping is Crashing by Design" HKM
If you are going from a pretty nice 845 SET to a McIntosh push-pull amp, you may as well go solid state in my opinion...
Post a Followup:
Top of Page ]
[ Contact Us ]
[ Support/Wish List ]
[ Copyright © 2009, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]
[ Go Green ]
[ Take5 ]