Classic Tube Audio

More on “Tubeology”

Pat — Sat, 05 May 2012 14:01:48 +0000

Here is a link to a short video “courtesy of Brent Jessee Recordings” Brent does a fine job of testing and grading the tubes he sells. (I have purchased tubes over the years from Brent and have recommended others to him) The video link will give you an idea of what I’m launching here at Classic Tube Audio with my “Tubeology” testing and grading process. (This will not be a process in competition with Brent) it is a service that I offer with my restoration/repair work or to customers who send me tubes they have that an in-depth test process can be performed. I will however offer on occasion “Tubeology” tested tubes for sale. But it is not my goal to compete with any of the fine offers by Brent or other tube sales operations

I’m just going much more in-depth. I have a highly modified Tektronix 576 scope, adding to this several precision regulated outboard power supplies, a precision ”stepper amplifier” that allows for a huge range of bias voltage’s to be applied x10 or -5 volts =-50 volts giving me a bias range from 0 to -500 vdc. I’m also adding a unique way to actually load the tube and apply a/c signals (frequency sweeps). My goal is to provide a level of test results at a “lab level” many other parameters of the tubes will be supplied in my measurement results. At this time these results are proprietary to the “Tubeology” process.. More to come soon. The “Tubeology” process is a huge undertaking so of course I’m delayed in the roll-out. But it’s going to be worth it!

In the mean time enjoy Brent’s video.

www.youtube.com/

More “Mac Attack”

Pat — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 17:31:36 +0000

Dr “Tubeology” loves his Mac!

McIntosh MC 2105 + C28 + MR74 = More McIntosh For Sale

admin — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 01:08:17 +0000

Well as you might of guessed we like McIntosh gear actually we really really really like McIntosh gear (yes even if it doesn’t have tubes : – ), it’s one of the few audio products that has consistently produced excellent sounding and visually stunning components.

What we have here is a Mint Condition C28 Pre-Amp MR-74 Tuner and a MC2105 Power Amp all of them are in need of a good cleaning, with the exception of the MC-2105 which will need new glass because this one has the typical de-lamination / bubbling on the inside of the glass. Also a bit of trivia, the MC2105 was used on stage by Bob Weir one of the members of the Grateful Dead back in the late 70′s and early 80′s. How Cool Is That?

Check back soon to see them brought back to their original specs and appearance and if you are interested in purchasing them feel free to send us an offer.

Very nice and clean C28 Mcintosh Pre-amp before restoration

A very Nice McIntosh MC-2105 Amp in an original wooden case, too bad there are bubbles on the glass

Now that I have this I will be listening to FM now. A minty MR74 before restoration.

Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead in his home studio with his new McIntosh -

Here is a photo of Bob Weir in his studio with his new Mcintosh Gear check it out on the Mcintosh Labs website here

McIntosh = MINT MC60′s For Sale!

Pat — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 02:24:37 +0000

We are in restoration process of a pair of MC60′s, that when complete will be as nice as the ones pictured or just a tad bit cleaner!. Be the one to reserve this pair for you, all it takes is a deposit to reserve them. We estimate final completion by April 30, 2012.. the pictured pair you see is a set we completed just a while back.

I wanted to get you a picture that would be fully represetative of this pair now in process. The work will be all power supply caps replaced, power supply fully rebuilt, precision matched critical circuit resistors will be 1% low noise metal film types. The audio signal path capacitors will all be matched Mylar (orange dips), all small signal tubes NOS test as new Telefunkins or RCA for drivers. Rectifiers all NOS test 5u4 types. Output tubes matched new issue Tung-Sol 6550′s. This is a full rebuild not just a few parts thrown in. Once complete a rigorous 30 hour burn in QC process begins, all voltages will be referenced to original McIntosh specifications. Finally the sound?.. Fabulous McIntosh 100%

These will go soon, act now $ 4500.00 (the pair)

Thanks, the “Tubology Team”

UPDATE!

4-15-2012. We have a pending sale, I will change this to sold when we receive the deposit funds.

SOLD!

4-18-2010 They are now gone and in process of restoration for their new home. We always have more gear, don’t be shy inquire

The Fisher “FM-1000″ Dr. Tubeology restore’s (update 4-7-12)

Pat — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 16:45:30 +0000

Very Rare! “Fisher FM-1000″ When released by Avery Fisher this tuner was considered the best of the best. Fisher designed and built it to be a “broadcast” reference tuner. This began the “war” of tuner’s with Saul Marantz taking on the challenge to better it. The famed Marantz 10 & 10b sprang out of this. To this day both the FM1000 and the Marantz 10b are by most accounts the best two Stereo FM tuners ever built!.. Stay “tuned” as I begin a photo documentation of a full restoration on this rare component. Updates will be posted at various times. You will not want to miss this!…. in the end I will actually do a side by side listening comparison with my Marantz restored 10b

Dr. “Tubeology”

UPDATE

See our page “Tech Stuff” for a gallery of photos I have just added on the restoration progress of this famed Fisher FM-1000 tuner.. it’s moving right along. http://classictubeaudio.com/blog/tech-stuff/

an Ad for our 50-w2 – Mcintosh

admin — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 20:26:40 +0000

and we have one of these for sale if you are interested and yes they do sound better

Dr “Tubeology” at it…If you have a need?

Pat — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 21:20:12 +0000

Pictured the innards of a Fisher 500C, they use a similar design too Fisher 400 for the MPX FM Stereo decoder. The problem here was the MPX stereo diode decoders were not functioning correctly, solution “built my own” improved decoder. Here you see it being tested and the O’scope pic of the input to the decoder. It sounds pretty darn good after tweaking the alignment and getting finally stuffed into the chassis

Pat~

A special audio experience “The Classic McIntosh C20″

Pat — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 16:37:34 +0000

Pictured a McIntosh C20 pre-amplifier. Note the full compliment of Telefunkin tubes all NOS test! It came in with an intermittent noise in both channels. A few caps later along with some proper contact cleaning and a bit of “Tubeology” work with selection/match of the Telefunkin’s and our proprietary tube socket and pin contact enhancing process (DNA) It’s sounding stunning! In audiophile terms, “fast, transparent, detailed, deep and layered sound-stage, engaging”