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In Reply to: Heathkit W6, Citation II, Marantz MC60, or Mcintosh 8b? posted by Audionuts on April 17, 2002 at 14:39:37:
Or buy an 8B and you won't have to modify a thing and you'll probably blow away any of the other amps.
Follow Ups:
I find it also hard to agree with your statement about the 8B. Without a doubt it is one cool looking, nicely constructed, classic, vintage amp.However,like virtually ALL vintage pieces, technology in passive components has gotten far better. I agree with Chris in that the coupling caps whether they are good electrically or not are not good sonically in the 8B. For that matter, I can't think of one vintage amp that wouldn't require the coupling caps to be changed. The Citation II is one of those pieces too. However, it does not have the "vintage, no mods allowed" stigma attached to it. Like a Dyna Stereo 70 you are almost expected to mod it or upgrade it at the very least. That is why it is more of a bargain than the 8B. I own a pair of frequently maligned Mac MC60's. The difference with mine is that they have been thoroughly modified to get them up to par sonically. I like them very much, however I know that in stock form they are not a very good sounding amp. I would like to recommend them, but I can't with a clear conscience knowing the work that must go into them to make them "special" and also less collectable in the process. A stock 8B is a fine sounding amp. Probably one of the best in purely stock form. However a modded Citation II will eat it for lunch and still have change.
"Nothing quite like high voltage DC to sharpen the mind and body!"
Well.... I wish I could agree. Having owned all the mentioned amps and many, many more (I once turned down a Mac 275 in 1985 for $800 with Gold Lion '88s-- "too expensive!" Those were the days) I can say that the 8B is beautiful, well-made, reliable, and super-cool. It also uses a nasty diode-based, voltage doubler power supply, and is quite grainy in the upper mids and highs. And, you absolutely, positively, would HAVE to replace the coupling caps. Even if they are fine electrically, they are junk. This of course brings us to the "no mods" thing about resale; I actually had David Yo AND Khan Do hang up on me when I mentioned I put Sidereal caps in my 8B. But hey, I respect your opinion. It's a cool amp, but for 1500-2000, MAN there are better sonic performers. I could list 2 dozen. Chris
He said he "wants to make some changes, mods etc." I didn't read it that way the first time, my mistake. Rest of these people are correct, don't buy an 8B. I'd buy a Dynaco and mess it all up two or three times. You can learn a lot with those things. Then try a modifying a Citation II since it's prettier than the Dynacos. But don't put it next to my 8Bs because it might try to eat them.
Yes and it will also probably try to puke up the bad caps that are inside it too. You are entitled to your opinions, but unless you have first hand compared these various pieces I would keep my highly biased opinions to myself. Knowledge is power. Go get some.
"Nothing quite like high voltage DC to sharpen the mind and body!"
Just don't want him messing up an $800 Citation II before practicing on a $300 ST-70.
Later. Spike
"Nothing quite like high voltage DC to sharpen the mind and body!"
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