Tube Amp Question

[Mikey081057]

Can this tube amp drive my LSi 9's

Output Power:45W + 45W (8ohm)
Frequency Response:5Hz -- 54kHz (-2dB)
Signal/Noise Ratio: >=88dB (A)
Load impedance: 8ohm or 4ohm
Distortion:<=0.35%
Maximum Power Consumption:220W
Input sensitivity:<=200mV
Tubes: 6CA7T x 4 12AX7B x 2 12AU7 x 2


It is a Yaqin MC 13S

[DSkip]

Yes.

[zingo]

Yes.

[cstmar01]

yeppie

[marvda1]

there are two versions one comes with el34's and the other with 6ca7's ($100 more). i pull up specs as 40 watts per, though not much difference between 40 and 45 watts. usually 6ca7's will deliver a little more power, especially in the bass region.
you can buy the el34 version and put the $100 saved towards an upgraded set of tubes.

i guess a long way of saying yes. have you priced the difference between the 13s and 10t? 40 watts vs. 52 watts.

[Mikey081057]

there are two versions one comes with el34's and the other with 6ca7's ($100 more). i pull up specs as 40 watts per, though not much difference between 40 and 45 watts. usually 6ca7's will deliver a little more power, especially in the bass region.
you can buy the el34 version and put the $100 saved towards an upgraded set of tubes.

i guess a long way of saying yes. have you priced the difference between the 13s and 10t? 40 watts vs. 52 watts.

So I am seeing the mc -13 for 70 bucks more with 6ca7's than the mc-10 with the el34's

does that make sense?

[michaeljhsda2]

So I am seeing the mc -13 for 70 bucks more with 6ca7's than the mc-10 with the el34's

does that make sense?

The MC-13S doesn't have a remote control but the MS-20L does. Not sure if that's important to you or not. I'm very happy with the MS-20L. Plenty of power to drive SRS 1.2 TL's.

[Mikey081057]

The MC-13S doesn't have a remote control but the MS-20L does. Not sure if that's important to you or not. I'm very happy with the MS-20L. Plenty of power to drive SRS 1.2 TL's.

So actually looking at the MC-100B for just a few$$ more

[michaeljhsda2]

So actually looking at the MC-100B for just a few$$ more

That's a nice amp with the option of using it as an integrated or amp only. It has a little bit more power, 10 more watts I believe, than a MS-20L or MC-10T. The MC100B was my first choice but alas, no remote control, so I went with the 20L.

[marvda1]

the 100b uses 6550/kt88 tubes, a different sound. i have tube mono blocks that were designed with 6ca7's in mind even though el34 and 6ca7 are direct drop in replacements. if i use el34's in my amps i would get less power/bass. don't know if the two yaqin 13s are like that but i don't think they would have two different versions if they were not different on some way. why not just offer 6ca7's as an upgrade if they are the same exact amps. just my thoughts. grant fidelity use to carry a rebadged yaqin amp that uses both el34 or 6550's i think. you can now purchase it through another company but would cost more than the yaqins.

[polkfarmboy]

Go for the el34 option with those lsi9's as its going to be sweeter on tweeter baby

[F1nut]

The 6CA7 version would be a better choice, IMO.

[Tbone289]

don't know if the two yaqin 13s are like that but i don't think they would have two different versions if they were not different on some way. why not just offer 6ca7's as an upgrade if they are the same exact amps.

They aren't different in any way--you're just paying more for the 6CA7 tubes, which doesn't really make sense unless the 6CA7 are of much higher quality than the Shuguang EL34s in the "base" model. The MC13s is just another spinoff of the MC-10L/T, and both power tube types are compatible with both units. I don't believe the 13s differs in power from the 10L as much as the specs suggest. I believe the 10L/T specs are slightly exaggerated.

Personally, I would buy the EL34 model because you can buy a decent quad of 6CA7 with the $100 you've saved (e.g. Electro-Harmonix) and have two sets of tubes to roll for the price of the unit shipped with the 6CA7s. I prefer 6CA7s in my Yaqin over the EL34s, but I'm not sure I would pay $100 extra for them up front unless I knew exactly what 6CA7s they are fitting them with.

[Mikey081057]

Any thoughts on the mc-100b

[Mikey081057]

So I am 99% leaning towards the yaqin mc-100b

[organ]

I doubt the output power will make much difference assuming the power supply and output transformers on both units are equal in quality. Every 3db increase require double the power output.
I personally would go with the EL34 option. 6CA7 is a direct replacement for an EL34 while the EL34 cannot be used in an amp specifically designed for 6CA7. The 6CA7 is a tetrode while EL34 is a pentode tube. Also, in an EL34 amp, you can use KT77 (direct EL34 substitute)

The EL34 has a sweeter, warmer and smoother sound. 6CA7 have a more powerful sound with better dynamics, extensions and bass.

[larry777]

I bought the MC-100B in early December and like it a lot. The KT-88 tubes give better bass than the other options you are looking at, along with more power, based on what I have read anyway. The amp is breaking in nicely although not 100 hours on it yet. I just changed the two 12AX7 tubes to Amperex NOS and what a nice difference in sound it made. They say this amp responds very well to tube rolling and I can believe it from this one change. The word is,changing the four 6sn7 tubes will also make a noticable difference for the better. I also liked the feature where you can use the MC-100B as a seperate power amp if you want to add a different preamp. This amp has lots of power and the KT-88's are of decent quality,so they will be changed last. The MC-100B is rated at 60 Watts per channel in Ultra linear mode and 30 Watts per channel in Triode mode.

[Mikey081057]

I bought the MC-100B in early December and like it a lot. The KT-88 tubes give better bass than the other options you are looking at, along with more power, based on what I have read anyway. The amp is breaking in nicely although not 100 hours on it yet. I just changed the two 12AX7 tubes to Amperex NOS and what a nice difference in sound it made. They say this amp responds very well to tube rolling and I can believe it from this one change. The word is,changing the four 6sn7 tubes will also make a noticable difference for the better. I also liked the feature where you can use the MC-100B as a seperate power amp if you want to add a different preamp. This amp has lots of power and the KT-88's are of decent quality,so they will be changed last. The MC-100B is rated at 60 Watts per channel in Ultra linear mode and 30 Watts per channel in Triode mode.

I read your other posts, and they helped me make my decsion, I too like the bypass inputs, and will use it to plug in other sources

[Mikey081057]

I read your other posts, and they helped me make my decsion, I too like the bypass inputs, and will use it to plug in other sources

Ordered it today from tamaac in Canada

Best deal and service

Now waiting....

[larry777]

I also ordered mine from Song in Canada. He is good to deal with,and you will see that the amp is well packed for shipping. Great warranty also ( 1 yr parts and labour and another 2 years for parts with support on how to replace parts if necessary) I think you will like the build of this amp.

[rromeo923]

I have a MC-10L. I have rolled the EL34's a few time and have not heard much of a difference. The 6N1's in the preamp stage I have rolled with much success, major sound improvement.
Anyway not seeing much difference in the Power Output tubes.
Just my two cents. Worth about two cents.

[dhart86]

I have a MC-10L. I have rolled the EL34's a few time and have not heard much of a difference. The 6N1's in the preamp stage I have rolled with much success, major sound improvement.
Anyway not seeing much difference in the Power Output tubes.
Just my two cents. Worth about two cents.

Which 6N1's sound best to you?

[Mikey081057]

I also ordered mine from Song in Canada. He is good to deal with,and you will see that the amp is well packed for shipping. Great warranty also ( 1 yr parts and labour and another 2 years for parts with support on how to replace parts if necessary) I think you will like the build of this amp.

all in, he has the best deals.

[larry777]

I have a MC-10L. I have rolled the EL34's a few time and have not heard much of a difference. The 6N1's in the preamp stage I have rolled with much success, major sound improvement.
Anyway not seeing much difference in the Power Output tubes.
Just my two cents. Worth about two cents.

You are right from what I have read on the forums. The power tubes these amps come with are supposed to be pretty good overall. Replacing the other tubes for the Drivers and Cathode followers along with the Voltage Amplifiers (12AX7's & 6sn7's) are reported to give the best sound improvement. Although you would think that higher end Output Tubes would also improve the sound at least some. The manual also recommends an upgraded power cord and Interconnects for best sound....which I have done.

[marvda1]

try eh 6ca7eh. i found them to be an improvement over the stock shuguangs in my 20l.

[Mikey081057]

MC-100B shipped last Monday hasn't arrived yet. Waiting on good ol United States Postal Service.