I had in the past the MC225 I unfortunately sold.
As I am looking for a new one, I'm browsing everywhere and I would like to know how a pair of MC30's sounded compared to the MC225.

JérômeB

Hi Jerome!
I have never heard an mc225...but I have a pair of mc30s that Terry DeWick refreshed and they are sweeeeet!

If you ever obtain a 225 again never let her go....

Meanwhile, try a pair of 30s if you can. :thmbsp:

What output tubes are you using: 6L6 or 6BG6?

jérômeB

6L6 are not equivalent to 6L6GC. Output tubes for Mc30 are 1614 and 6L6GC.
6L6GC are stillp produced: for example, Elektro Harmonix 6L6GC sound, on my Mc30 (I've got two pairs), a little bit better than NOS RCA 1614.
A good solution could perhaps be to find two matched pairs of NOS 6L6GC.
And don't forget the military equivalent 7581A (I've recently got a quartet of Philips, still have to burn them in!)
6L6GC are currently produced owing to their use on guitar amps.
Marco Roghi

6L6 are not equivalent to 6L6GC. Output tubes for Mc30 are 1614 and 6L6GC.
6L6GC are stillp produced: for example, Elektro Harmonix 6L6GC sound, on my Mc30 (I've got two pairs), a little bit better than NOS RCA 1614.
A good solution could perhaps be to find two matched pairs of NOS 6L6GC.
And don't forget the military equivalent 7581A (I've recently got a quartet of Philips, still have to burn them in!)
6L6GC are currently produced owing to their use on guitar amps.
Marco Roghi

Thank you,

That means we can't put any 6BG6 on MC30's?

JérômeB

6l6GC are a higher voltage rating which Mc amps require. The earlier versions will fail in these amps and deliver low power. 6L6GC should be 40 watts or more on a healthy MC30.

General Electric specs on this tube family are--

6L6-> 6L6GB is 270 volts @ 2.5 watts on the screen and 19 watts on the plate MAX.

6l6GC-> 450 volts @ 5 watts on the screen and 30 watts on the plate Max.

These versions are not even close and the MC30 will put these higher voltages on the different sections.

Thanks,
Ron-c

MC225 will have better controlled bass due to it's power supply, while the 30 will sound a bit tubby on some speakers due to the tube power supply. The mids and highs will be identical with the 30 sounding better on many of the older speaker designs due to it's having less bass control.

...with the 30 sounding better on many of the older speaker designs due to it's having less bass control.
Don't some of the '30s have a variable damping control ... should alleviate the issue?

The variable control gives less not more, less will make it boomm.

I've had both MC-30s and MC-225s and can confirm Terry's assessment. In fact, I've used a set of 225s wired for monoblock operation, as well, and they will, when properly set up, stand up against most any amp out there today.

Another item re:MC-30s is that they tend to run hotter and may have a bit more noise than the MC-225s. The heat issue is not something to ignore with them as far as placement in your setup goes. I'd suggest using a small fan to keep the air circulating.

Sonically, it really is a hard decision, if I were to do it all over again. I sold the MC-30s but you'll have to pry the MC-225s out of my cold, dead hands.

Cheers,

David

MC225 will have better controlled bass due to it's power supply, while the 30 will sound a bit tubby on some speakers due to the tube power supply. The mids and highs will be identical with the 30 sounding better on many of the older speaker designs due to it's having less bass control.

I use a pair of LS3/5a and B&W DM4.

JérômeB

I've had both MC-30s and MC-225s and can confirm Terry's assessment. In fact, I've used a set of 225s wired for monoblock operation, as well, and they will, when properly set up, stand up against most any amp out there today.

Another item re:MC-30s is that they tend to run hotter and may have a bit more noise than the MC-225s. The heat issue is not something to ignore with them as far as placement in your setup goes. I'd suggest using a small fan to keep the air circulating.

Sonically, it really is a hard decision, if I were to do it all over again. I sold the MC-30s but you'll have to pry the MC-225s out of my cold, dead hands.

Cheers,

David

Should I understand that you prefer MC225 ...?

JérômeB

Terry has an excellent point about the 30's and bass control ....I am driving a pair of Klipsch La Scalas ("old technology") with my 30s and have no complaint due to the efficient nature of the speakers and the synergy that exists....many have used the 225 with the Klipsch and like that combo...

I have my 30s on the top of my equipment racks so the heat has a lot of area in which to disperse...the fan is a good idea if they are surrounded by other things, as I have discovered....

I do love them sooooo...something about cold dead hands?? Me too!! :yes:

Should I understand that you prefer MC225 ...?

JérômeB

Hi Jerome,

I do prefer the 225s but not necessarily for sonic reasons. The heat issue is not as much a problem and I can arrange the amps so that there are 2 banks of tubes glowing at me. Just a personal thing, actually.

Cheers,

David

About the heat issue on Mc30's: my small monoblocks use current production HE 6L6GC output tubes, and never become so hot, even after a full weekend listening-lession. They stand alone and with a lot of air around. They seem to be quiet hotter using the metal 1614 RCA NOS tubes (which I don't love)

Marco Roghi

Thank you,

That means we can't put any 6BG6 on MC30's?

JérômeB



I THINK (emphasis on THINK) that you can use a 6BG6-GA as a 6L6GC with an adapter that arranges the pinouts accordingly. I know a source on Sylvania 6BG6GA tubes that can be used as 6L6GC with a socket adapter. 6BG6 also has a plate cap (so they are not as sexy looking). I have been considering this switch for one of my MC30 pairs. At the price I can get these for, a lifetime supply is obtainable on the cheap.....so yes, count me in the camp who wants to know more about 6BG6GA and it's usability in Mac amps. It would sure be cheaper than NOS 6L6GC.........

I am told that not all 6BG6 can be converted to 6L6GC - most 6BG6 are only good to 19 watts (like standard 6L6). I think 6BG6GA is the uprated one.

Anyone else know more about this??