Got my McIntosh 240 Today

[Ronflugelguy]

It happened today! So cool! I am powering my mids and highs with the 240, and my lows with Parasound SS 315wpc. Now I know what the breath fo life is.I do have a few questions for the experienced:

1.)Haven't tried Twin mode yet, will this bring my level up so that I don't have to have the volume control so high on my preamp?

2.) the right channel has a bit of mushy treble (not clear) weak tube or cap?

3.) Am planning on taking it to a tech to check over. Anyone know a good one in northern Ca.?

4.)Finally, I can hear what the first CSN album is suppose to sound like(Classic) thought it to be horrendously bright before!

5.)DCCs sound even more fabulous!!!


6. ) Tube options and sources please.....

[Jeffrey]

Hi Ron,

Congrats! :cheers: Ain't it sweet? :D

Twin mode is for direct connects for your cdp, sacd, etc. It will not change the output power (but it will change the sound substantially dependent upon what pre you are using). If you are having to blast your preamp, it is probably a reflection of your speaker's efficiency. How many db's are your speakers rated at?

The right channel thing is pretty easy to identify. If it is the tubes you will know by changing the two output tubes on the right w/ the two output tubes on the left. Give it a try and see if the problem changes to the left channel. If so, it's the tubes, if not find yourself a techie!

There are many nice tube sources. From a value standpoint, Ebay is a great place but it is hit and miss.

ENJOY! :D
Jeffrey

[Gary Freed]

Congratulations Ron,

My fortune cookie tells me that "there may be a tube rig in my future";)

Wishing you many happy hours of listening pleasure with your
your MC 240. :thumbsup:

[Ronflugelguy]

Thanks, Guys. Jeffery, are those the larger tubes?:confused: The Gringo....

[Jeffrey]

Originally posted by Ronflugelguy
Thanks, Guys. Jeffery, are those the larger tubes?:confused: The Gringo....

Hi Ron,

Yes, the 4 larger tubes in the back are your output tubes (6L6GC's). Gently lift them holding their plastic base straight up and out. Try to avoid putting any pressure on the glass. Then shift the 2 on the right w/ the 2 on the left. Did the problem move to your left channel???

-Jeffrey

[Gary]

Yes, never touch the glass. Finger prints are a no-no!

[Ronflugelguy]

240, Cathode or fixed bias??

[Gary]

It's self bias-ing.

One of the reasons I love it so - I can't scr*w it up!

[Ronflugelguy]

Thanks, gary, a recommended repair tech was asking me, and I could'nt find any mention of it in the specs/features. What output tubes do you run in yours?

[Steve Hoffman]

You've got the wrong tech, pal.


Output tubes? You haven't been reading the threads! GE 6L6GC's!

[Dean De Furia]

The GE's are the best but are getting expensive. I have used Sventlana 6l6gc's and they sound almost as good in my 240 and are easy to find and cheap ($50/quad).
Good Luck!

[Ronflugelguy]

Originally posted by Dean De Furia
The GE's are the best but are getting expensive. I have used Sventlana 6l6gc's and they sound almost as good in my 240 and are easy to find and cheap ($50/quad).
Good Luck!

That the tubes that were recommended to me, as the Ge's are very expensive. Steve, I know the Ge's are very good, however, the cost could be prohibitive at this point.I have another guy I am checking out right now also. these guys mainly do work on Guitar amps, and as the guy i talked to today, it takes a lot more time to find a problem with distortion in a channel, that to fix a dead channel. If i have the wrong guy, then what should be looking for?

[Steve Hoffman]

Your tech just needs a Mac 240 schematic before he tampers with that puppy. Replacing parts with same parts, etc. Anything else will devalue your amp. It's a simple circuit, but you need a schematic.

[Ronflugelguy]

Originally posted by Steve Hoffman
Your tech just needs a Mac 240 schematic before he tampers with that puppy. Replacing parts with same parts, etc. Anything else will devalue your amp. It's a simple circuit, but you need a schematic.

I have two copies of the schematic, owner's manual, and the ORIGINAL service contract for 5 years, cage, only missing the original box! And yes he tod me he needed the schematic before he could look at it. Has tube testers, but said the true test is in -circuit.

[Ronflugelguy]

BTW, this guy I bought this amp from, started freaking when I put on DCC Miles Relaxin, he couldn't believe mono could sound so good. He said the recording made the amp "SING"!:) I would tend to agree.

[Steve Hoffman]

It'll sing much better when fixed AND when you get all your tubes in there!

Have fun. Don't forget to use Telefunken 12AX7's!

[Jeffrey]

Originally posted by Ronflugelguy


That the tubes that were recommended to me, as the Ge's are very expensive. Steve, I know the Ge's are very good, however, the cost could be prohibitive at this point.

Hi Ron,

Everybody has an opinion, here's mine.............. :)

After all the $ ya spent to buy a great vintage amp in primo condition, why sacrifice the sound by using anything but the best tube? Personally, i don't consider the GE's that pricey (@ $200 for a matching quad) when ya compare that to the price of many other 6L6's. Bottomline, BUY GE's!

Lemme try this one other way, we are all a bunch of relative amateurs around here compared to the Tube King. We are very lucky to be getting free advice from a McIntosh tube expert..... how can ya afford to not take that advice??? :confused:

Another view,
Jeffrey

[Jeffrey]

Hi Ron,

One more opinion :)........... before ya start to muck around running the tab w/ techies make sure it isn't a simple tube problem that you can fix yourself!

-Jeffrey

[Ronflugelguy]

First of all, where do you find them? I don't see them listed on Upscale Audio's website. Any suggestions?:confused:

[Ronflugelguy]

Originally posted by Jeffrey
Hi Ron,

One more opinion :)........... before ya start to muck around running the tab w/ techies make sure it isn't a simple tube problem that you can fix yourself!

-Jeffrey

No charge if he can't trace down the problem. Said i pay if he corrects.

[Jeffrey]

Originally posted by Jeffrey
Hi Ron,

There are many nice tube sources. From a value standpoint, Ebay is a great place but it is hit and miss.

ENJOY! :D
Jeffrey

[Ronflugelguy]

Originally posted by Jeffrey
Search suggestions?

[Ronflugelguy]

Originally posted by Jeffrey


Hi Ron,

Everybody has an opinion, here's mine.............. :)

After all the $ ya spent to buy a great vintage amp in primo condition, why sacrifice the sound by using anything but the best tube? Personally, i don't consider the GE's that pricey (@ $200 for a matching quad) when ya compare that to the price of many other 6L6's. Bottomline, BUY GE's!

Lemme try this one other way, we are all a bunch of relative amateurs around here compared to the Tube King. We are very lucky to be getting free advice from a McIntosh tube expert..... how can ya afford to not take that advice??? :confused:

Another view,
Jeffrey


Jeffery, I guess its like buying a $1000 TT and putting a $50 Cartridge in it instead of putting a $200 or more cart.:)Although, i think we'd be talking about a $300 to $500 cart............

[Jeffrey]

Originally posted by Ronflugelguy



Jeffery, I guess its like buying a $1000 TT and putting a $50 Cartridge in it instead of putting a $200 or more cart.:)Although, i think we'd be talking about a $300 to $500 cart............

Hi Ron,

I think we are also talking about an $1800 TT, right? :) and i still think a decent GE 6L6 quad can be had on Ebay for @$200.

-Jeffrey

[Ronflugelguy]

Originally posted by Jeffrey


Hi Ron,

I think we are also talking about an $1800 TT, right? :) and i still think a decent GE 6L6 quad can be had on Ebay for @$200.

-Jeffrey

How do you protect yourself from being pedaled crap?