Mesa Baron

The guy I got my Baron from had replaced the 5881s with Russian 6N3CEs. These tubes failed, blew out some resistors and ate one of my tweeters.

I fixed the amp and installed a matched set of 6L6s, but was always worried it would eat some more drivers. Hopefully, the next owner got more enjoyment out of it.

BTW- there's no need to use XLR cables, the input section is not balanced.

Marco, originally the amp was built only for 5881/6L6 tubes, although the manual implies others could be used, but recommended against it. Later, audiophiles convinced Mesa and the designer, Randall Smith, that EL34's would sound better, and a factory modification was offered called the "tri-tube" mod. Mesa then offered tri-tube Barons with E34l tubes, later finding that they were not reliable and robust enough, and finally settling on EL34's. The do sound much better in most ways, in almost everyone's opinion, but are still not as reliable as 6L6, which have a lower bias point and run more conservatively (I think). Almost any good 6L6 probably sounds better than the 5881; Mesa offers some they say sound better than the 5881's.

Hello Lloydc,

do you know how to find out wether my amp has the tri-tube mods or not? Where is difference; other restitors or caps or any other signs? You think there is no problem using the 6L6G (bottle tube) form Tung-Sol? Also think about changing the output caps audiophile Mundorf caps.

Bye,
Marco

Wow man i can't believe it there are some other Mesa Baron fans!!!! Yeah i own 2 with all the upgrades i purchased them directly from Mesa Boogie i have them in my EXTRA small bedroom i currently use a Audio Synthesis Passion that i had modded by Audio Synthesis so that i could bi-amp my B&W Matrix 3's, i use a stock Sony DVP-S9000ES...i also own a pair of BARON M180's that are mint on my secondary system. With regards to preamps i've used 2 Mod Squad Line Drives' and a McCormack Deluxe Line Drive too...but i got rid of all those, i switch between a plexy glass Mod Squad Deluxe Line Drive; the Promitheus sounds interesting...i'm short on cash but i was thinking of a Canary Audio Passive or a First Sound passive...anyway i am totally stoked about all of you that have the Baron BUG i keep mine stock...i love the bi-amping thing i have a BIG problem though i own a pair of KS-Emotion cables that are not bi-ampable anyway there are worse problems to have...as a side note i alternate my Mod Squad Plexy and the AS passion with my 3rd TV rig with a pair of Bryston 3B amps used in mono mode and DAMN...my Dynaco A25's, Clements and Paradigm References Sudio 60's...they COME ALIVE, killer sound stage!!!...Bryston recommoneds their active preamps but a passive pre on the 3b's with a second Sony dvp-s9000-es WOW....sorry for all the verbage...Also, has anyone upgraded their power cables?? Just a thought...oh yeah i had an old Conrad Johnson preamp with my Baron M180's man they sounded awsome i'll post some pics i hope others will too...in closing i picked the Baron's because i believe in their road gear reputation... when i go to audio shops and tell them what i own...some laugh and say "why do you have a guitar amp for audio...try Audio Research" one thing MESA has probably built as many units as other audio companies anyway they rock!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Mesa has sent me the schematic to make the necessary changes to my Baron if I want to use other tubes, which Lloydc srongly recommends. But I haven't got around to do this yet ... I was think I'll let the current tubes go first, still have lots of life left in them.