Re-tubing a McIntosh power amp

It currently has the standard McIntosh branded tubes in it. I have just read that they have a pretty high failure rate and there are much better tubes out there for that amp. I want to replace with the same types of tubes (KT 88, 12 AX7A, etc) but switch to a different brand. 

Golden Lyon KT88s. 4-6000 hours

12AX7, 12AZ7, very close. Golden Lyons, Tellies, RCAs (if you can afford and find them) or if you want a sharper edgy valve, PSVANE
all over 5000 up to 7-8000 hours.

They last a LONG time in a new Mac for sure. I have a GG with 15000 hours, I did lose an original power valve within the first 1000 hours.. It was a made in China valve. It said Mcintosh on the side.. LOL it was probably a JJ.
I have Solvex in there now, wonderful valve for the money.

I paid about 75-80 per quad in bulk. 15% failure, no kidding out of the box or within 50 hours.. After they were burned in (and didn't BLOW up).. Just like any other valve.. 5-10000 hours

A quad of Solvex is 125-175.00 close

Regards

Andy at Vintage tube can help you and rather than fireworks Crap shoot he will get you great tubes, graded and matched… for your amp

There is no crap shoot with GL KT88s or anything tested and burnt in..

I know of two vendors that recommend JJs, because THEY don't have failures.. ANY valve that is tested and then burnt in, very seldom does fail.

But recommend them because they don't FAIL. I'll pass, they are a so so valve at best as far a SQ. Just about anything sounds as good and many many other valves sound a LOT better.. I'd take a Valve Art over JJs..

I have piles of the little critters here.. ALL questionable as far as SQ but they test just fine. Tap the glass with a pencil, LOL everything changes.. Underwater they go.. or echo chamber effects..

I use a lot of mill spec surplus from Russia. 1/3 are bad BUT after testing and burn in, better than ANY JJ I've ever used. 1.25 each in bulk..

Golden Lyon OP you'll be very happy.. so we are clear, I'm not huge GL fan, I  just happen to know Macs and what they like pretty well after 50 years of fixing and using them....

I'm listening to a MC225 and a C20 right now..  Looking at them, you would swear they were brand new out of the box Macs.. 60 + years old now.. ALL factory VALVES, I've never changed a single one in that pair..
Caps and resistors YES.. That's it..

Heaven will have that pair of Macs in it.. :-)

Regards

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Good Post ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

” I'm listening to a MC225 and a C20 right now.. Looking at them, you would swear they were brand new out of the box Macs.. 60 + years old now.. ALL factory VALVES, I've never changed a single one in that pair..“

Now *Thats* what I call value for money!