Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum

Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: eleventeen on January 18, 2014, 05:56:47 pm

Title: Outrageous freebie
Post by: eleventeen on January 18, 2014, 05:56:47 pm
I was just talking a friend and mentioned I build toob amps for fun and therapy. "I've got one for you."

Oh boy!
 
Getting a neat mono amp is such a conundrum. Do I sell it or search far & wide for its mate?

BNC connectors for input & speaker. Uh-huh.

(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w32/ttm4/MAC001_zpsb0814345.jpg)
Title: Re: Outrageous freebie
Post by: Toxophilite on January 18, 2014, 06:02:46 pm
I dare you to convert it into a bassman!


and I'm hugely envious!
I say sell it, but then I'm usually broke and big money items usually go on the block to fund more likely endeavours
I just missed a pir of Macurdy's and a pile of other amps and tube stuff for $150 a couple months back...grrrr
Good to see someone having a good find
Congratulations!
Title: Re: Outrageous freebie
Post by: terminalgs on January 18, 2014, 06:18:22 pm
How about mix stereo to mono input and attach a nice speaker?
Title: Re: Outrageous freebie
Post by: sluckey on January 18, 2014, 06:31:33 pm
There are several on ebay. You'll have to furnish your own BNC jacks though.   :icon_biggrin:
Title: Re: Outrageous freebie
Post by: Willabe on January 18, 2014, 06:48:28 pm
McIntosh amps are highly prized studio/stereo amps.

As long as it's not absolutely trashed you don't make a git-tar rig out of it and that one looks to be in great shape!


                  Brad     :icon_biggrin:  
Title: Re: Outrageous freebie
Post by: eleventeen on January 18, 2014, 07:14:32 pm
Some time ago I found a Radio Craftsman RC-500 (at the time, just about the same thing as this and regarded as equivalent quality) with KT-66's and boy, that pair of KT-66 were the closest match of any tubes I've ever encountered. Within 1/2 mil all the way. I bought it for $25 and sold it on ebay for almost $700.

I think I will look for a local user and seek a favorable trade. I hate the idea of paying 15% to ebay, although I recognize that without ebay, I wouldn't have the widespread exposure. Most of all...I hate the idea of paying ebay a commission on the gross amount of SHIPPING when inevitably, I lose $5-20 at the UPS counter. Yes, I can overcharge for shipping and refund the difference and this is what I usually do. Still, it's not a profit center; I aim to charge only what actual costs are on shipping.

"As long as it's not absolutely trashed you don't make a git-tar rig out of it and that one looks to be in great shape!"

I would never consider modifying this for geetar use. It has too much fetish value the way it is. This (the Mac above and the R-C below) is/are exactly how I got it/them, complete with storage dust. Probably the best outcome is to find someone who wants it in a trade for something interesting.

(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w32/ttm4/ebay_tubes_3001.jpg)

Title: Re: Outrageous freebie
Post by: Toxophilite on January 18, 2014, 07:51:34 pm
oy yoy yoy..a joke..ajoke!! :BangHead:

How about if I double-dog dare you?
Title: Re: Outrageous freebie
Post by: Willabe on January 18, 2014, 07:55:14 pm
oy yoy yoy..a joke..ajoke!! :BangHead:

Ok, wasn't sure.   :icon_biggrin:

I would never consider modifying this for geetar use.

I know you wouldn't, I was talking to out new friend Toxophilite.


                 Brad     :laugh:
Title: Re: Outrageous freebie
Post by: HotBluePlates on January 18, 2014, 09:40:16 pm
I was just talking a friend and mentioned I build toob amps for fun and therapy. "I've got one for you."

Oh boy!
 
Getting a neat mono amp is such a conundrum. Do I sell it or search far & wide for its mate? ...

Well, do you want a tube stereo? You'll need a preamp in addition to this amp's mate, or some form or passive volume control between a CD player output and the input to this amp.

This MC-40 looks like a solid-state rectifier version of my MC-30's. I've had a pair of those for my stereo for years. I stumbled in acquiring them individually, so I'd say if you're thinking of keeping it and are willing to wait for a good deal, you should be able to find a reasonably priced MC-30 or MC-40 to go with yours.

Warning: getting good audio gear (assuming you have the time to sit n listen) can wind up like an arms race... as one component gets better, it reveals flaws in another, etc.
Title: Re: Outrageous freebie
Post by: Platefire on January 18, 2014, 11:54:22 pm
I just thought my $20 fender pro head was a good deal! Man that's a goodun  :worthy1:
Title: Re: Outrageous freebie
Post by: eleventeen on January 19, 2014, 12:24:06 am
"I just thought my $20 fender pro head was a good deal! Man that's a goodun"

No question about it, but in many ways...I'd be happier with your Pro head.

Why?

Because if I wanted another one of these, I doubt I could get into it for much less than $500-600.

Without that add'l spend, this is a big fat nothing, cool as it may be.

Assuming I *did* want another one of these, I would probably have to have much better speakers than I do (actually I have a pair of Yamaha NS-10M's) but those are kind of more studio monitor speakers versus "room" speakers.

And I live in a tiny place, not that this will always be the case.

And frankly, I really prefer to just walk in and push a button on a stereo (which could be a boombox) because I am rather insensitive to toob amp tonality *except* when it comes to guitar amps in medium to larger sized venues. In a practice room, I can't tell much diifference between a SS and and a tuber.

For home-stereo application....I don't have a place large enough for this kind of amp to make much of a difference. So there you go.

I will find something interesting to do with it.
Title: Re: Outrageous freebie
Post by: Toxophilite on January 19, 2014, 01:04:03 am
That pretty well coincides with what I'd say, though I don't mind tube stereo hifis and I've had a few(though not that nice, Dynaco, Paco, Bell, Sherwood), I'm quite happy with solid state too
I mostly see the advantage of vacuum tubes with instrument amps , but that's just my opinion and my experience is limited
Though tube hifis are nice souding and undoubtedly cool looking

I was originally going to suggest a gem studded reliquery and a shrine in the woods! buuut

If it were me I'd sell it to someone with deeper pockets who was really excited to buy it and use the $$ to it fund a host of other fun projects and pay bills!
that's my two bits for what it's worth

I triple dog dare you to mod it into a Bassman!