Thanks for clarifying.
I am fundamentally opposed to Moving Coil because of the extra amplification involved. I don't even want to hear a fabulous one, I don't want to go down that rabbit hole.
My Preamp, 55 years old, when direct to the integrated amp's bypass pre-in, then gets all volume from the preamp. In that use, I start to get noise, hum, around 11 o'clock position. It's just above my preferred max. so luckily I stay just below any noise.
I've hosed the internals with contact cleaner, no noises, but hum begins. I've tested my 17 tubes twice, but, to be sure, I ought to try some new ones before I spend some money switching caps .... Oh I'm keeping it, even if it needs spending some money.
Using my preamp into a line input, volume is created elsewhere, no hum from pre-amp even when system cranked.
So, below my typically desired volume, in any configuration, this 55 year old pre-amp is noiseless.
btw, The preamps FM Tuner, as they say: with a good signal, is superb.
the tube amp, Cayin AT-88, still sold, is dead quiet. Mine is early version with 16 ohm taps, sadly bias adjust is internal.
........
Still never heard tube rush.
..............
btw, McIntosh does not service these, has no parts, and only referred me to 1 local service shop. He has a 12 week cycle for new work. Says he only needs 2-3 hrs work, probably not mush $ in parts. So, I say, put me in the schedule 4 months from now. No, I can't keep track like that. Bring it here, wait 12 weeks till I get to it.
I am fundamentally opposed to Moving Coil because of the extra amplification involved. I don't even want to hear a fabulous one, I don't want to go down that rabbit hole.
My Preamp, 55 years old, when direct to the integrated amp's bypass pre-in, then gets all volume from the preamp. In that use, I start to get noise, hum, around 11 o'clock position. It's just above my preferred max. so luckily I stay just below any noise.
I've hosed the internals with contact cleaner, no noises, but hum begins. I've tested my 17 tubes twice, but, to be sure, I ought to try some new ones before I spend some money switching caps .... Oh I'm keeping it, even if it needs spending some money.
Using my preamp into a line input, volume is created elsewhere, no hum from pre-amp even when system cranked.
So, below my typically desired volume, in any configuration, this 55 year old pre-amp is noiseless.
btw, The preamps FM Tuner, as they say: with a good signal, is superb.
the tube amp, Cayin AT-88, still sold, is dead quiet. Mine is early version with 16 ohm taps, sadly bias adjust is internal.
........
Still never heard tube rush.
..............
btw, McIntosh does not service these, has no parts, and only referred me to 1 local service shop. He has a 12 week cycle for new work. Says he only needs 2-3 hrs work, probably not mush $ in parts. So, I say, put me in the schedule 4 months from now. No, I can't keep track like that. Bring it here, wait 12 weeks till I get to it.