Russian Tube Preamp, No Return, Here I go again

Hmmmm, 

I'm visiting a friend in Vestal, NY. Same town as Audio Classics

https://www.audioclassics.com/

Right next to McIntosh in Binghamton

https://www.mcintoshlabs.com/brand/contactus

last time I went I dropped my McIntosh SS amp and preamp, they certified them, sold em in factory boxes, bought the Tube amp and preamp.

Now that I think this little Russian preamp will be here when I return, I'm gonna drop my McIntosh mx110z Tube Tuner/Preamp for a once over, see what A C recommends. It sounds great, love it, but it's original, never messed with that I can see, over 50 years old.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Yet ...

If it’s 50 years old and REALLY never been serviced, it’s broke in some way, you can be sure. At the very least it will need an alignment. Chances are it has been serviced at some point, or you would not love it so much.
Wait! Did you say your Russian preamp was delivered somewhere and now "only" needs a 120V transformer to be installed?  Where was it delivered, and who is doing that work?

No, it's complete.

They had it ready, they just needed to know what voltage transformer to install when I ordered it on the 12th, they installed it, tested it, got it out on the 17th. Through Russian system, on it's way 3-1-21, finally USA 4-22-21.

mx110z, Say what you will,

I took it’s cover off when received, no visible problems, no apparent repairs or upgrades.

I hosed down all moving parts with contact cleaner a few times as I do with any vintage stuff. That FM radio sounds fabulous, and the Phono section also, I don’t use other inputs, but I tried them, all were noise free. All controls, mode switch, noise free.

I have a lot of vintage tubes of these types, new and used, but I'm using the ones it came with, I just got lucky. The whole point of this was, 'here I go again' (taking risks). If things don't work out, I'll deal with it, but I won't letequipment's age worry me. 

I have a dedicated FM antenna aimed directly to the one Jazz station we have, WBGO, 88.3 if you like Jazz, check em out online.

My Fisher receivers, 800C (now Bills) and two 500c's are also amazing, as are the pair of Fisher 80z mono tube amps from 1958. Those I had checked out over the years, a blown resistor here and there, that's it.

We’ve been over this ground before. I convinced you that I am more invested in “vintage” than you are. I never said you shouldn’t own or like your Mc tuner/preamplifier. But a 40-50 year old piece of tube gear is likely to benefit from some new or upgraded parts, and any tube tuner of that era is likely to need re-alignment if that’s never been done during its prior life. Your visual inspection of its innards means only that it has never been on fire.

mx110z has an appointment with Ryan at Audio Classics, wed 8:15 am.

Russian Preamp arrived a few hours ago. Very nicely/safely packaged.

1. Took cover off, exactly like photos posted, EXCEPT all connections are made!
2. confirmed transformer is 120 volt.
3. they didn’t have a US power cord (it’s detachable type), so he gave me a Jeff Beck CD in the box. Got cord, Bill’s friends at Greenbrook Electronics, $4.00
4. four tubes, two 6n4p; one 6N23P; one 12ax7EH each tube marked,
5. BUT, no indication where they go in the unit. Seller will send photo with locations shown. That is quite a mistake. I recall he mentioned one customer put the tube in the wrong socket and blew the board. They sent him a replacement board and instructions how to change, but that never would have happened if they just included the photo or a diagram.


So, I’ll listen as usual via mx110z with my friend this afternoon.
I’ll test the Russian preamp via Office System, Carver Cube tonight
Tomorrow compare Russian to mx110z as-is.
Sunday, pull/take mx110z north to Vestal, NY to visit my two photo buddies I met online.
Wed. am mx110z to the doctor for checkup.

when mx110z gets back from the doctor I'll compare to the Russian again.