2. amps-preamps
  3. 131785-103958

Great experience with Linear Tube Audio

I ordered up an LTA MZ2 the other day but, before I pulled the trigger, I had some questions in regards to his amp and tubes/sonics etc.

Now I’ll be the first to admit a lot of my questions were very basic especially to someone as experienced as Mark is at LTA. My emails were all answered promptly and he explained everything to me in layman terms in a totally non condescending way.

But the coolest part is I gave them a call today to upgrade some tubes and change the shipping address. He wanted to see what the status was on my order. So while I’m still on the phone I hear him say "Hey, what’s the status on Jon’s amp?". The guys obviously sound like they’re in the same room and they’re testing my amp as we spoke. Not going to lie, some kind of man child excitement came over me. I can’t wait to receive it.

hfaddict
joeinid's avatar
joeinid
658 posts
 
Hi mac,

I am running the Mullard CV4003 / 12AU7 Vintage New Old Stock from Upscale audio. I do have a bunch of other tubes waiting in the wings but am so happy so far. I don’t feel any need to swap tubes yet, but I am a little curious what the others will sound like.

I was told by a friend, but never checked with LTA, that the 12SN/6SN tubes have no effect on sound if it is used as a preamp. I did order the 12SN7 from LTA as an upgrade from the 6SN7 tubes but it may have been wasted on my part.
mac48025's avatar
mac48025
672 posts
 
Joe,

I haven't noticed any real difference between 6SN or 12SN's in the MZ even used as an integrated amp. The Marconi BL 63's ( with adapters) sound great and make another alternative to the 6SN7. 
joeinid's avatar
joeinid
658 posts
 
Thank you so much for the additional info. LTA gear is wonderful.
lancelock
1,102 posts
 
The folks at LTA, Mark, Will and the guys are great people. If they sounded like they were in the same room it’s because they probably were. Not a big place but a friendly and fun place to hang out. I stop in whenever I’m in the neighborhood and always welcomed.

Im using my MZ-2 as a preamp currently. I just got a set of 12SX7 tubes and they are the best sounding so far. I have tried numerous 6 and 12SN7 variants.

There is no difference in sound with 6 volt or 12 volt tubes.
Lance
hfaddict's avatar
hfaddict OP
97 posts
 
@mac48025 As I'll also be playing around with running the MZ2 solely to the DI's from time to time,  I have to ask... How well did the 1 watt run them? My main genres are modern folk and blues at low to moderate volume levels. Is everything there in the music? Dynamics and bass? 

I've read everything Teajay and the other boys were saying about this unit but it's just beyond my comprehension. It's killing me that I still have to wait a week to find out for myself! Lol. 

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