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RE: POLL: MC225 vs MC240 vs Marantz 8b with that specific tube

andreas75, hi again. The 7591 is a Westinghouse tube. I don't believe RCA ever made it - just rebranded for their own distribution. There are exact electrical equivalents but these have different basing and pin outs. Unless you either make adaptors or change sockets you cannot use. These are 6GM5 (novar - 9 pin button base) and 7868 (noval -larger 9 pin). OS or NOS 7591 would be prefered over new manufacture. Regardless of what you hear today the MC-240 was never as sought after as the MC-225. This was mainly sonics. The MC-225 was widely regarded (even when new) to be the best sounding of all the McIntosh tube designs. What do you listen to in the way of music? I still think the 225 excels with American pop music of the 50's and 60's. On many Elvis cuts it is spooky good. But, then how many times a year are you going to play Elvis? Still and all the Marantz would get my vote if I had to choose. You obviously are aware getting opinions on sound is highly subjective, and there are those who 'love' McIntosh for reasons that may have nothing to do with sonics per se. The one advantage the 225 has is the output tubes will last for decades because the design runs conservatively. The reason 7591 old stock are scarce is because there were so many amps built to use it. Many of these were hard on the output tubes hence the supply was rapidly diminished. Marantz chose the EL34 carefully and on purpose. New EL34 manufacture is both available and reliable. On any vintage amp there are a few caveats. Electrolytics should be carefully checked. These parts age just sitting on the shelf. Ditto carbon composition resistors. These can and do drift with use and age. Saying an amp is mint of the vintage you are talking about may be misleading. Would you buy a 1964 car with 'all orignal' components - including the oil, oil filter, and so on? Maybe. My guess is you would immediately bring it up to date. This is easier to do with an amp than a car. It'll be a lot cheaper if you can do it yourself.


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  • RE: POLL: MC225 vs MC240 vs Marantz 8b with that specific tube - elektron 09/28/0911:28:46 09/28/09 (0)

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